Manisa hosted an important event to increase interest in railway transportation and to raise awareness among students in this field. The event, which was organized in collaboration with TCDD Transportation Izmir Regional Directorate and Yunusemre District National Education Directorate, aimed to provide train driving experience to students of Sekiz Eylül Primary School and Vakıfbank Türkbirliği Secondary School.
Instilling Love and Safety for the Railway
The Mobile Locomotive Simulator project, which was launched throughout Turkey to promote railway transportation and inform the younger generations about railway safety, met with students in Manisa. As part of the project, students first learned about railway safety by watching public service announcements. Then, they received practical training using the Mobile Locomotive Simulator to have an experience close to real train driving. This training taught students the basics of railway transportation, while also allowing them to discover the profession of a machinist and the intricacies of train driving.
Education and Awareness Raising Process
Students who attended the event had the opportunity to see the difficult working conditions of machinists firsthand. Yunusemre District National Education Director Yıldıray Demirtaş emphasized the importance of students learning more about railway transportation through such projects, saying, “Our students learn by experiencing how difficult conditions machinists work in. We believe that such skill-based training contributes to the development of our children.”
In the event where railway safety was also highlighted, Yasin Taksim, the Director of the Security Control System, informed the students about the rules to be observed at railway crossings. Students learned the importance of complying with the “Stop, Look, Listen, Pass” rule at railway crossings by driving a virtual train. This project aims to increase security awareness.
Future Machinists Are Being Raised
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. İzmir Regional Deputy Manager Sevtap Katırcı stated that the project will be expanded throughout Turkey and said, “We started this project to raise awareness among children and guide their future career choices. We aim to train the machinists of the future by providing information about railway safety.”
Train Driving Experience with Simulator
After the training, students were given the opportunity to drive a locomotive with a simulator. Students had a realistic experience by driving a train in a virtual environment. Thanks to this practical training, they gained practical information about railway transportation. In the simulator, students were also informed about how the train is used, the responsibilities of the engineers and the functioning of railway systems.
Project, Investment in the Future
Such projects not only introduce students to railway transportation, but also guide them in their career choices. This event in Manisa was an important step towards raising individuals who can understand the importance of railway transportation, have high safety awareness and who can choose the profession of machinist in the future. The project aims to increase railway safety awareness not only among students but also in society as a whole.
This training program, implemented in cooperation with TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. and Yunusemre District National Education Directorate, stands out as an important investment for the future of the railway sector.
