In the United States, a framework agreement for collaboration has been signed between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Wabtec Corporation, as reported by the railway portal Railway Supply.

agreement to purchase locomotives

This deal, associated with the official visit of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the United States, envisions the production of hydrogen fuel locomotives at a Kazakh facility, the establishment of an engineering center, and technology transfer.

Technological leaders are testing the innovative Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS)

Financing for this project will involve the participation of Citibank and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank).

During meetings with executives from Wabtec and Citibank, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the project includes investments of approximately $1 billion, which will contribute to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Renat Bekturov, the Managing Director of the International Financial Center “Astana,” stated that Citibank will provide a loan of $900 million for the acquisition of around 240 locomotives manufactured by Wabtec. This will enable the renewal of 15% of KTZ’s locomotive fleet.

Alstom has merged its Polish divisions

The agreement with Citibank is backed by EXIM Bank guarantees and, therefore, requires approval from the U.S. Congress.

Currently, locomotives from the Wabtec Evolution series are being produced at the “Locomotive Manufacturing Plant” in Astana.

In September 2022, KTZ signed a memorandum of understanding with Wabtec, which included the purchase of up to 150 FLXdrive battery-powered switcher locomotives and the modernization of mainline locomotives to convert them into locomotives that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) using the NextFuel technology.

Photo: President of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s website.

News in railway transportation you might have missed:

Vienna Places Order for Additional X-Wagen Metro Trains

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit