Major railway wheel project: impressions from Karabük and Safranbolu

Since February, we have been a partner in the major project to set up a production line for railway wheels in the Turkish city of Karabük. An international project of this scale requires extensive planning and coordination. This involves numerous discussions with our Turkish partners, many telephone calls and occasional visits on site.

Although these business trips largely revolve around the current project status, outstanding tasks and organisational details, there is usually some time in the evening to learn more about the hospitality, landscape and outlook of our Turkish colleagues.

Safranbolu: architecture between the Orient and the Mediterranean

One destination away from the project work was the historic caravan town of Safranbolu, around twelve kilometres from Karabük. The town developed from a stopping point along the old Silk Road trading routes and was an important trading centre from Byzantine times well into the Middle Ages. Much of the architecture of the old town also dates from this period and has survived to a remarkable extent.

Greek and Oriental architectural influences come together impressively in the old town. Three-storey, Greek-style timber-framed buildings stand immediately alongside a central caravanserai and several mosques with distinctly Oriental features. The old bazaar with its small stalls and other historic buildings also recall Safranbolu’s long tradition as a trading town. Early on, the region was known not only for trade but also for ironworking – a metalworking tradition that continues to this day.

Conversations beyond the conference room

The historic old town provides an ideal setting for a stroll, enjoying the regional cuisine and exchanging ideas with international colleagues. Project matters can often be discussed informally along the way. At the same time, you learn a great deal about your hosts’ cultural and working practices and find joint solutions to technical or organisational questions.

Working together is particularly enjoyable in such surroundings. Or, in the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “Travel broadens the mind.” Incidentally, you also learn that, contrary to what one might naturally assume, the name Safranbolu has nothing to do with the spice saffron.

The KARDEMIR project

As part of the project, W.S. Werkstoff Service supports its partner KARDEMIR (Iron & Steel Works) in areas including:

• Defining requirements for non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment
• Supporting the commissioning of this equipment
• Optimising testing procedures for materials and component testing
• Advising on the adaptation of the quality management system to railway-specific requirements
• Supporting certification in accordance with IRIS (International Railway Industry Standard)
• Preparing product certification of railway wheels in accordance with TSI (Technical Specification for Interoperability)
• Training employees

The aim is to further develop KARDEMIR’s quality processes and align future railway wheel production with the requirements of the international railway industry.