Kazakhstan: The news was announced following the meeting between the officials of the Chinese manufacturer and the national operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ).
While there are no details yet, KTZ claims these shunters to be the first ones with hybrid traction on the 1,520 mm gauge market. A new family of shunting locomotives, including hybrid models, was presented by CRRC in 2024.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the largest 1,520 mm gauge railway system is Russian, and its manufacturers were producing prototypes of hybrid diesel-battery shunting locomotives back in 2012–2013, specifically the TEM35 by TMH and the TEM9N by Sinara – Transport Machines. Besides, in 2024, TMH’s catenary-battery EMKA2 locomotive was certified for serial production.
Signed by KTZ and CRRC in 2023, the contract for the delivery of 200 mainline and shunting locomotives is currently in force. This year, the Kazakh operator expects to receive a batch of 90 vehicles for mainline and shunting operations according to the agreement.
