Kazakhstan boasts a vast freight wagon fleet of over 140,000 units, the second largest within the 1,520 mm gauge network. With a significant renewal cycle about to begin, TEXOL Group is capitalising by creating a new railcar manufacturing hub in Atyrau. The venture includes in-house engineering and testing centres designed to enhance Kazakhstan’s rail industry self-sufficiency.
TEXOL, established in 1998, now brings together 20 companies working across the hydrocarbons sector and related logistics. As one of Kazakhstan’s biggest private operators, the group runs a diverse fleet of over 11,000 wagons. To keep its rolling stock in top shape, TEXOL also operates its own wagon repair facilities, ensuring smooth and efficient service.
TEXOL Group is a key driver of innovation across the entire 1,520 mm gauge network. Working closely on design and commissioning, the group spearheaded the serial production of market-first articulated tank wagons for LPG transport with a total tank shell volume of 163.1 m³. It also developed an articulated container flatcar with a 122-t payload, capable of carrying four 20-foot containers, two 40-foot containers, or a mix of both. Given TEXOL’s deep expertise in both logistics and engineering, building in-house wagon manufacturing capabilities was only a matter of time. Today, that vision is coming to life through the comprehensive TEXOL Industrial hub development in Atyrau.
Construction of the hub’s flagship asset, the Atyrau Freight Car Building Plant (AVSZ), began in 2023. Once complete, the facility is expected to cover 62,000 m² and have the capacity to produce up to 8,000 wagons annually.
The first wagons—gondola cars model 12-6785 and container flatcars model 13-6792—rolled off the production line at AVSZ in summer 2024. They are fitted with 18-6786 bogies with a 23.5 tf axle load, also developed in-house by AVSZ engineers. By the end of last year, both the rolling stock and bogies were certified for serial production, and the plant was granted manufacturer status.
Production at AVSZ isn’t just for TEXOL Group’s own fleet — the plant is gearing up to fulfil external orders too. Letters of intent have been signed with major Central Asian operators like PTC Holding and Eastcomtrans, while Kazakh operator Olzha has already begun buying rolling stock straight from AVSZ.
At AVSZ, work is now well underway to begin serial production of tank wagons for oil products and LPG. TEXOL’s in-house engineering centre, KazTsTT, has designed new conventional models with improved operational features. The 15-3234 LPG tank wagon is the first in the 1,520 mm gauge market to feature a tank shell volume exceeding 88 m³. It can carry any type or mixture of LPG fractions without restriction. Meanwhile, the 15-3237 oil and gasoline tank wagon, also a conventional design running on TEXOL’s own 18-6786 bogies with a 23.5-tf axle load, is the first in the CIS to offer a tank shell volume over 90 m³ and the highest payload in its class at 70 t — around 4% more than the closest competitors.
15-3237 and 15-3234 tank wagons developed by TEXOL. Source: TEXOL
TEXOL sees tank wagon production as a strategic priority and is pushing hard to maximise localisation. Until recently, neither tank wagons nor tank shells were manufactured in Kazakhstan. The company now aims to produce up to 300 units annually by 2026.
Achieving a high level of localisation in freight wagon production is a core mission for TEXOL as it develops the TEXOL Industrial hub. The group aims to reach over 95% localisation once the project is complete. Materials and components already sourced locally include bearings from EPK-Brenco in Stepnogorsk, springs, and wheelsets manufactured in-house.
To boost technological independence in the rail sector, a new wagon-wheel workshop opened in Atyrau this summer. It’s the first fully automated facility of its kind in western Kazakhstan. The plant’s capabilities include a rough-axle machining shop and an annual production capacity of 10,000 two type wheelsets — old axle with new wheels and new axle with new wheels. These will be used for both wagon repair and manufacturing. On top of that, the group is establishing small- and medium-scale casting operations in Atyrau, producing components like wheel stops, centre plates, coupler yokes, and axlebox housings. The main raw materials—scrap metal and ferroalloys—will also be sourced locally.
A cornerstone of the TEXOL Industrial hub’s self-sufficiency lies in its strong in-house engineering expertise. Since its inception, the group has relied heavily on its own engineering capabilities to deliver infrastructure projects. This proven approach is now fully applied to the railcar manufacturing hub in Atyrau, where a dedicated research centre is being established.
TEXOL is making targeted investments in a modern testing infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art certification and testing centre equipped with advanced American and European technology. Additionally, Kazakhstan’s first specialised full-scale testing ground is being created, enabling industry players to certify rolling stock and components for compliance with Eurasian Economic Union technical regulations — all within Kazakhstan.
