Yüksek Hızlı Tren
Encyclopedia
The Yüksek Hızlı Tren or YHT (high-speed train) is the Turkish State Railways
high-speed rail
service currently operating on two routes; Ankara
to Eskişehir
with construction under way to İstanbul
and Ankara to Konya
, which opened in August 2011. The YHT uses the HT65000 EMU sets with tilting
technology built by CAF
. The YHT is the only high-speed service in Turkey
and in the Middle East
operating at speeds up to 250 km/h (160 mph). The YHT operates on the Istanbul-Ankara High Speed Rail Line
(only Eskişeir-Ankara part is in operation) and, recently, the Ankara-Konya High Speed Rail Line via Polatlı
. Before the YHT came into operation, average journey time between İstanbul and Ankara was 7 hours and 30 minutes. By transferring from the YHT to regional trains at Eskişehir, average journey time between İstanbul and Ankara has fallen to 5 hours and 30 minutes. When the high-speed line is completed to İstanbul, the average journey time is expected to be lowered to 3 hours. The YHT is the Turkish State Railway's premier route, with 11 trains daily in both directions, although it is only the fourth-busiest route in Turkey. The Yüksek Hızlı Tren is the 8th high-speed rail service in world and the sixth in Europe
.
motorway is a major highway between the two cities and the Ankara–İstanbul route is the busiest route for the Turkish Airlines
. The route between İstanbul and Ankara by rail was a single-track line and trains usually were delayed 30 minutes to 2 hours plus the average 7 hours, 30 minutes travel time. Rail transport in Turkey was already at its lowest point, so in 2003 the State Railways and the Turkish Ministry of Transport made an agreement to build a 533 km (331.2 mi) line between the two cities. The line would be an electrified double track
line. Construction began in 2004 from Esenkent to Eskişehir. The line was completed on April 23, 2007.
On February 28, 2007 TCDD requested bids for high speed train sets from other networks to be tested on the completed portion of the high speed line. On March 30, 2007 TCDD signed an agreement with Ferrovie dello Stato
to rent an ETR 500
train set for 4 months. The first run was from Haydarpaşa Terminal
in İstanbul to Ankara, using the completed portion of the high speed line between Hasanbey and Esenkent. The ETR 500 Y2 set a speed record in Turkey reaching 303 km/h (188.3 mph). This test got tremendous media
coverage in Turkey.
In 2010 one of the YHT trains had been converted to a test train in order to test the new opening line such as Konya and fortcoming Istanbul lines. The Transportation Ministry had spent 14 Million TL (around 7 Mio Euros) and named the train -because it is a tradition for test trains - as "Piri Reis" the famous Turkish navy man, who draw the most accurate maps of the Mediterannian and America in 16th Century.
on November 20, 2007. 4 more sets came to Turkey in 2008, 3 more in 2009 and 2 more in 2010. On March 13, 2009, the inaugural ceremony took place in Ankara. The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
, along with the President of Turkey
, Abdullah Gül
, and the Minister of Turkish Transport, Binali Yıldırım
inaugurated the opening of the first phase of the project (Eskişehir-Ankara).
, ERTMS, ATMS, SICAS and ATP
standards. The current route begins at Ankara Central Station. The YHT runs on the triple track line from Central station to Sincan, then single track from Sincan to Esenkent. At Esenkent the YHT switches on to the double track high-speed line. On this line the train passes over the Sakarya Viaduct and the Duatepe Tunnel. On this track the YHT reaches its top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The train switches back on to the normal route at Hasanbey (which has been upgraded from a single track line to a triple track line from Hasanbey to Eskişehir). The YHT continues to Eskişehir Central Station
.
, İzmit
and İstanbul. At Gebze the YHT will switch back on to the normal line, which will also be upgraded from a double track line to a quadruple track line for the Marmaray project.
The Polatlı-Konya line is complete and is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Testing has begun on the line as of June 2011.
The Turkish State Railways agreed with Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
(CAF), a Spanish rail car building company, to design a high-speed train set in 2006. CAF introduced the HT65000 EMU set, similar to the RENFE Class 120 / 121
EMU sets. The HT65000 is a 6 car EMU set. Using 25 kV AC
electrical system, these sets have an acceleration of 0,48 m/s² and the power input is 4,800 kW via pantograph
. One train set has a capacity of 411 passenger, 365 passenger in Economy class and 55 passengers in Business class (or 1st class).
in Ankara.
Turkish State Railways
The State Railways of the Turkish Republic or TCDD is the government owned, national railway carrier in the Republic of Turkey, headquartered in Ankara...
high-speed rail
High-speed rail
High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions by the European Union include for upgraded track and or faster for new track, whilst in the United States, the U.S...
service currently operating on two routes; Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
to Eskişehir
Eskisehir
Eskişehir is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of the Eskişehir Province. According to the 2009 census, the population of the city is 631,905. The city is located on the banks of the Porsuk River, 792 m above sea level, where it overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley. In the nearby...
with construction under way to İstanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and Ankara to Konya
Konya
Konya is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The metropolitan area in the entire Konya Province had a population of 1,036,027 as of 2010, making the city seventh most populous in Turkey.-Etymology:...
, which opened in August 2011. The YHT uses the HT65000 EMU sets with tilting
Tilting train
A tilting train is a train that has a mechanism enabling increased speed on regular rail tracks. As a train rounds a curve at speed, objects inside the train experience centrifugal force. This can cause packages to slide about or seated passengers to feel squashed by the outboard armrest due to...
technology built by CAF
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a rail equipment manufacturer based in Beasain in the Basque Country, Spain. Equipment manufactured by CAF includes light rail vehicles, rapid transit trains, railroad cars and locomotives, as well as variable gauge axles that can be fitted on any...
. The YHT is the only high-speed service in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
operating at speeds up to 250 km/h (160 mph). The YHT operates on the Istanbul-Ankara High Speed Rail Line
Istanbul-Ankara High Speed Rail Line
The Istanbul-Ankara High Speed Rail Line is a railway line for High Speed Rail between Haydarpasa Terminal in Istanbul and Ankara Railway Station in Ankara. The line is completed from Ankara to Eskişehir, and under construction from Eskişehir to Istanbul....
(only Eskişeir-Ankara part is in operation) and, recently, the Ankara-Konya High Speed Rail Line via Polatlı
Polatli
Polatlı is a city and a district in Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, 80 km west of the Turkish capital Ankara, on the road to Eskişehir. According to 2010 census, population of the district is 117,473 of which 98,605 live in the city of Polatlı...
. Before the YHT came into operation, average journey time between İstanbul and Ankara was 7 hours and 30 minutes. By transferring from the YHT to regional trains at Eskişehir, average journey time between İstanbul and Ankara has fallen to 5 hours and 30 minutes. When the high-speed line is completed to İstanbul, the average journey time is expected to be lowered to 3 hours. The YHT is the Turkish State Railway's premier route, with 11 trains daily in both directions, although it is only the fourth-busiest route in Turkey. The Yüksek Hızlı Tren is the 8th high-speed rail service in world and the sixth in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Origins
İstanbul and Ankara are Turkey's largest two cities, having a combined population of 16,546,551. Transportation between the two cities is high. The Otoyol 4Otoyol 4
Otoyol 4 , abbreviated as , aka Anadolu Otoyolu , is a toll motorway running from Marmara Region through Black Sea Region to Central Anatolia Region in Turkey, connecting the cities Istanbul and Ankara. From its western terminus at Istanbul's outer beltway to the junction by Gerede, it is part of...
motorway is a major highway between the two cities and the Ankara–İstanbul route is the busiest route for the Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey, headquartered in the Turkish Airlines General Management Building on the grounds of Atatürk Airport in Yeşilköy, Bakirköy district, Istanbul...
. The route between İstanbul and Ankara by rail was a single-track line and trains usually were delayed 30 minutes to 2 hours plus the average 7 hours, 30 minutes travel time. Rail transport in Turkey was already at its lowest point, so in 2003 the State Railways and the Turkish Ministry of Transport made an agreement to build a 533 km (331.2 mi) line between the two cities. The line would be an electrified double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
line. Construction began in 2004 from Esenkent to Eskişehir. The line was completed on April 23, 2007.
Testing
Ferrovie dello Stato
Ferrovie dello Stato is a government-owned holding which manage infrastructure and service on the Italian rail network. The subsidiary Trenitalia is the main rail operator in Italy.-Organization:Ferrovie dello Stato subsidiaries are:...
to rent an ETR 500
ETR 500
ETR 500 is a family of Italian high-speed trains introduced in 1993.Designed under the aegis of the Ferrovie dello Stato , it is now operated by Trenitalia on RFI tracks.-History:...
train set for 4 months. The first run was from Haydarpaşa Terminal
Haydarpasa Terminal
The Haydarpaşa Terminal or Haydarpaşa Station is a major intercity rail station and transportation hub in Kadıköy, İstanbul. It is the busiest rail terminal in Turkey and the Middle East and one of the busiest in Eastern Europe. The terminal also has connections to İETT bus and ferry service. The...
in İstanbul to Ankara, using the completed portion of the high speed line between Hasanbey and Esenkent. The ETR 500 Y2 set a speed record in Turkey reaching 303 km/h (188.3 mph). This test got tremendous media
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
coverage in Turkey.
Naming
TCDD requested bids for the name of the high-speed service. Out of over 100 entries, the ones with the highest votes were: Türk Yıldızı (Turkish Star), Turkuaz (Turquoise), Yüksek Hızlı Tren (High Speed Train), Çelik Kanat (Steel Wing) and Yıldırım (Lightning). TCDD chose Yüksek Hızlı Tren to be the name of the service.In 2010 one of the YHT trains had been converted to a test train in order to test the new opening line such as Konya and fortcoming Istanbul lines. The Transportation Ministry had spent 14 Million TL (around 7 Mio Euros) and named the train -because it is a tradition for test trains - as "Piri Reis" the famous Turkish navy man, who draw the most accurate maps of the Mediterannian and America in 16th Century.
Opening
TCDD ordered 10 sets of HT65000 EMUs. The first set left Spain on November 10, 2007 and arrived in Turkey at KapıkuleKapikule
Kapıkule is the Turkish frontier town in Edirne Province on the border of Turkey and Bulgaria. Its counterpart on the Bulgarian side is Kapitan Andreevo. Together, they are the busiest land border crossing point in the world and the busiest in Europe....
on November 20, 2007. 4 more sets came to Turkey in 2008, 3 more in 2009 and 2 more in 2010. On March 13, 2009, the inaugural ceremony took place in Ankara. The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003 and is chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party , which holds a majority of the seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Erdoğan served as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He graduated in 1981 from Marmara...
, along with the President of Turkey
President of Turkey
The President of Turkey is the head of state of the Republic of Turkey. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office but has some important functions...
, Abdullah Gül
Abdullah Gül
Dr. Abdullah Gül, GCB is the 11th and current President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. He previously served for four months as Prime Minister from 2002-03, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003-07....
, and the Minister of Turkish Transport, Binali Yıldırım
Binali Yildirim
Binali Yıldırım is the current Minister of Transport of Turkey and a MP for Istanbul of the ruling Justice and Development Party.He was educated the Istanbul Technical University's School of Maritime...
inaugurated the opening of the first phase of the project (Eskişehir-Ankara).
Route
Current Route
The current route of the YHT is a double track, electrified 205 km (127.4 mi) long with ETCS, ATSAutomatic Train Stop
An automatic train stop is a system on a train that will automatically stop a train if certain situations happened to prevent accidents from happening....
, ERTMS, ATMS, SICAS and ATP
Automatic Train Protection
Automatic Train Protection in Great Britain refers to either of two implementations of a train protection system installed in some trains in order to help prevent collisions through a driver's failure to observe a signal or speed restriction...
standards. The current route begins at Ankara Central Station. The YHT runs on the triple track line from Central station to Sincan, then single track from Sincan to Esenkent. At Esenkent the YHT switches on to the double track high-speed line. On this line the train passes over the Sakarya Viaduct and the Duatepe Tunnel. On this track the YHT reaches its top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The train switches back on to the normal route at Hasanbey (which has been upgraded from a single track line to a triple track line from Hasanbey to Eskişehir). The YHT continues to Eskişehir Central Station
Eskişehir Central Station
The Eskişehir Central Station is the main train station in Eskişehir, Turkey. The station is one of the busiest stations in Turkey, by traffic. The station is the temporary western terminus of the Turkish High Speed Train. Central station was built in 1891 by the Anatolian Railway and opened on...
.
Full Route
The plans for the İstanbul-Ankara high-speed rail line will begin at Sincan and end at Gebze. From Ankara to Sincan the line will be upgraded from a triple track line to a 6 track line (2 tracks for commuter trains, 2 tracks inter-city trains and 2 tracks for high-speed train), along with the new Ankara Central Station. At Sincan the YHT will switch to its high-speed track. It will stop at Eskişehir, BilecikBilecik
-External links:* http://www.eksisozluk.com/show.asp?t=bilecik%20diye%20bir%20yerin%20asl%C4%B1nda%20olmamas%C4%B1%20 Bilecik Conspiracy* http://www.bilecikaktuel.com* * http://www.voyagerbook.com/eng/iller/11/11.asp*...
, İzmit
Izmit
İzmit is a city in Turkey, administrative center of Kocaeli Province as well as the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. It is located at the Gulf of İzmit in the Sea of Marmara, about east of Istanbul, on the northwestern part of Anatolia. The city center has a population of 294.875...
and İstanbul. At Gebze the YHT will switch back on to the normal line, which will also be upgraded from a double track line to a quadruple track line for the Marmaray project.
The Polatlı-Konya line is complete and is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Testing has begun on the line as of June 2011.
Train Design
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a rail equipment manufacturer based in Beasain in the Basque Country, Spain. Equipment manufactured by CAF includes light rail vehicles, rapid transit trains, railroad cars and locomotives, as well as variable gauge axles that can be fitted on any...
(CAF), a Spanish rail car building company, to design a high-speed train set in 2006. CAF introduced the HT65000 EMU set, similar to the RENFE Class 120 / 121
RENFE Class 120 / 121
The RENFE Class 120 are high speed electrical multiple units used on Alvia services in Spain.The trainsets are dual voltage, dual gauge units capable of changing gauge without stopping at 30 km/h 12 units were ordered in 2001, and a further 45 units in 200429 units of the class RENFE Class...
EMU sets. The HT65000 is a 6 car EMU set. Using 25 kV AC
25 kV AC
The 25 kV Alternating current railway electrification system is commonly used in railways worldwide, especially for high-speed rail.-Overview:This electrification system is ideal for railways that cover long distances and/or carry heavy traffic...
electrical system, these sets have an acceleration of 0,48 m/s² and the power input is 4,800 kW via pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
. One train set has a capacity of 411 passenger, 365 passenger in Economy class and 55 passengers in Business class (or 1st class).
Speed Limitations
As of now the YHT only operates on high-speed track between the town of Esenkent, 33.79 km (21 mi) outside of Ankara, and Hasanbey, 6.5 km (4 mi) outside Eskişehir. On the high-speed track the YHT operates at 250 km/h (155.3 mph). On the 39 km portion between Ankara Central Station and Esenkent the YHT has a speed limit of 120 km/h (74.6 mph). This speed is still higher than the average speed of 90 km/h (55.9 mph) for trains running on the same track. The same speed restrictions apply on the 6 km portion of track before Eskişehir.Consist
The YHT has 6 cars with cabins in the front and rear car. There are 1 business class car, 1 cafe car and 4 economy class cars. A business class car has a capacity of 55 passengers. The seating arrangements are 3 seats in a row (1 on one side, 2 on the other side). A economy class car has a capacity of 89 passengers. There are 4 seats in a row (2 on each side). Automatic sliding doors provide passage between cars. Baggage may be stowed in the overhead compartments above the seats, or underneath the seats. The HT65000 cars are wheelchair accessible.Staff and Operation
On YHT service, there is usually 1 train engineers (2 on some trains), a train conductor, a car attendant and a cafe car attendant. Business class passengers are served meals at their seats. Maintenance for the YHT is done at the Etimesgut YardEtimesgut Yard
Etimesgut Yard is the largest yard in Turkey. The yard is located in Etimesgut district of Ankara and is owned by the Turkish State Railways. The yard consists of a freight yard, passenger yard, a large maintenance facility and a logistics center. The yard is next to the İstanbul-Ankara Main Line...
in Ankara.
Service
In economy class, fabric coated first class seats arranged in 2 + 2 and audio system. Acoustic and thermal comfort (the noise level will be less than 65 dB in passenger section), apart from the tables mounted at the back of the seats, two foldable tables in every passenger section. In business class leather coated seats in 2 +1 arrangement, a visual and audio broadcasting system that can broadcast at least 4 hours on 4 different channels. Wi-fi service is available with power inputs for laptops in business class.See also
- High-speed rail in TurkeyHigh-speed rail in TurkeyThe Turkish State Railways started building high-speed rail lines in 2003. The first section of the line, between Ankara and Eskişehir, was inaugurated on March 13, 2009...
- İstanbul–Ankara high-speed railway
- Turkish State RailwaysTurkish State RailwaysThe State Railways of the Turkish Republic or TCDD is the government owned, national railway carrier in the Republic of Turkey, headquartered in Ankara...
External links
- TCDD Official Site (In Turkish)
- TCDD English Site