BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Kazakhstan Temir
Zholy (KTZ) and Wabtec have discussed prospects for expanding their
partnership.


This was announced in a report published by the KTZ, following a
meeting between the Chairman of the Management Board of NC
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Talgat Aldybergenov, and the Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Wabtec, John Olin.


According to KTZ, in the course of the meeting, the parties
reviewed key areas for further cooperation, including modernization
of the locomotive fleet, development of service infrastructure,
localization of production, and the introduction of digital
technologies in the railway sector.


Aldybergenov noted that Wabtec remains a strategic partner for
KTZ and that long-term cooperation between the companies has
contributed to improving locomotive fleet reliability and
increasing transport efficiency.


He emphasized KTZ’s interest in expanding cooperation across the
entire locomotive life cycle — from supply and maintenance services
to the implementation of innovative solutions, predictive
diagnostics technologies, and specialist training.


Particular attention was paid to increasing the localization of
component production in Kazakhstan, expanding modern service
capabilities, and applying digital tools to monitor the technical
condition of locomotives.







Following the talks, the parties confirmed their readiness to
further strengthen strategic cooperation aimed at improving railway
transport efficiency, developing Kazakhstan’s transit potential,
and implementing joint investment and technology projects.


Wabtec locomotive assembly plant began operations in Astana in
2006. In July 2024, the company opened a technology and engineering
center in the country.


During the working visit of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev to the U.S. in September 2025, agreements were signed with
Wabtec worth around $4.2 billion. The documents provide for the
production of 300 freight locomotives with enhanced performance
characteristics in Kazakhstan, as well as their subsequent
maintenance and servicing.


In the first quarter of 2026, KTZ's locomotive fleet was
expanded with 24 new units, including mainline diesel locomotives
manufactured by Wabtec and CRRC, electric locomotives produced by
Alstom, and shunting locomotives supplied by CRRC.