TCDD E 43000

The TCDD E43000 is a twin-cab six-axle Bo-Bo-Bo electric locomotive used previously by the Turkish State Railways and currently by TCDD Taşımacılık in Turkey. The locomotives were designed by Toshiba and built by TÜLOMSAŞ at their Eskişehir shops. The locomotive is based on the JNR Class EF63 electric locomotive in Japan, built by Toshiba. The Turkish State Railways ordered 45 locomotives as part of the railways electrification program of the late-1980s early-1990s. TCDD ordered the locomotives to be used on the Istanbul-Ankara railway and later for freight operations on the Divriği to İskenderun iron ore route. Used both for passenger and freight operations, the E43000 has since become one of Turkey's most recognizable locomotives and one of two electric main-line locomotives in use today, together with the E68000. Due to the locomotive's original designer, they have been nicknamed "Toshibas" by railfans in Turkey.