TCDD celebrates as high speed line nears completion

The Turkish Sate railways has celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the country's railway. TCDD invited the worldwide railway community to an international symposium, held in Ankara, together with Istanbul Technical university and Middle East Technical University. The seminars opening session in Ankara was addressed by Minister of Transport and TCDD Director General. The four parallel sessions attracted 1350 participants and 90 speakers from 18 countries. Both electrification equipment and the ETCS Level 1 compatible signaling supplied by Alcatel are in evidence that the project of high speed network will complete in time. TCDD has ordered 10 six-car high speed trainsets from CAF each accommodating 420 passengers to work the new line. Enhanced on-board facilities will include satellite-based wi-fi Internet access for the first class passengers. TCDD expects this enhanced quality of service will help to boost its market share and its expects a further increase in traffic.