The Turkish economy is booming. Annual growth is forecast at 6.7 percent for the period 2011-2018, and many industry sectors are in the process of sustained and intensive modernization.

Rail is one of these sectors. Over the next decade the Turkish state has made a commitment to invest significantly in the modernization and expansion of its rail network and rolling stock. ABB is proud to be a key supplier of power products for rolling stock manufacturers, infrastructure contractors and end users.

Powering the Istanbul Metro
Two of Turkey’s flagship infrastructure projects are the expansion of the Istanbul Metro mass transit underground system, and the construction of the Marmaray rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait.

The Istanbul Metro currently consists of one line (the M2) on the European side of the city. Later this year a new, nearly 22 kilometer, extension will open on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus. Known as M4, the new line will connect 16 newly constructed stations between Kadiköy and Kartal, and link up with the Marmaray Tunnel and the M2 metro line to form
an interconnected metro system across both sides of the city.

ABB has supplied 384 modular induction traction motors for the 30 eight-car metro trains manufactured by the Spanish train car builder Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) that will operate on the new Kadiköy–Kartal line. These compact, robust, high-performance modular motors are built on a ‘one platform, multiple designs’ basis. This makes it possible to customize each motor by combining standard components into a potentially vast number of possible product configurations, thus significantly reducing engineering and lead times.

Also for the Kadiköy-Kartal metro line, ABB has provided a power distribution system comprising 176 UniGear medium-voltage switchgear panels and 86 vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers.

ABB was selected by the metro line contractor, Avrasya Metro Group (AMG), and the end user, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, for the products’ reliability and performance record in similar rail and metro projects worldwide.

UniGear is the world’s best-selling medium-voltage switchgear. Its modular, robust and compact features with arc protection and segregated compartments for safety have made it first choice for the most demanding environments and applications worldwide.

ABB’s vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers are a safe and environmentally friendly solution for rail applications. They do not contain any flammable or explosive liquids, which is a key attribute for an underground metro system carrying up to one million passengers a day. The transformers have a unique capability to withstand strong overloads, high harmonic distortion and high unforeseen temperatures. And they can operate in humid or heavily polluted environments and withstand seismic shock waves.

ABB has also supplied 46 vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers for the Marmaray rail project, which consists of an undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus and the modernization of suburban rail lines on both sides of the strait. Located at a depth of 60 meters below sea level, the tunnel will be the world’s deepest subsea immersed tube tunnel when completed in 2015.

Other rail projects in Turkey for which ABB has supplied vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers include the Kirazli-Olimpiyat metro line on the European side of the city,
the 14 km Adana underground and elevated metro system in Adana, the three-line tram system in Eskisehir, and the metro system in Izmir.

Traction transformers for regional locomotives
ABB’s most recent order for the Turkish rail network is from Skoda Electric to supply the traction transformers for 80 new Hyundai Rotem electric locomotives that will drive regional passenger and heavy freight trains. The transformers are designed to operate trouble-free in the demanding conditions and climate of the Turkish rail network, which is characterized by steep gradients and sharp curves.

ABB welcomes you to stand E5 in Hall 10 at Eurasia Rail 2012 in Istanbul between
March 8-10, where you can find out more about our comprehensive offering of power products and systems for rolling stock and rail infrastructure.