Kazakhstan: A new underway assembly plant by Kamkor Locomotive will produce up to 100 sections for mainline electric locomotives, up to 200 sections for mainline diesel ones and up to 60 sections for shunters. The details were disclosed yesterday at the capsule immuring ceremony, celebrating the project’s launch.
The plant’s establishment was announced in mid-August, with the construction scheduled to begin in 2025. Currently, Atbasar boasts Kamkor Locomotive facilities on overhaul and maintenance of the VL80 and VL40 locos (pictured). The private investment in the project is to amount KZT 47 bln (approx. $98 mln).
The new plant’s CEO, Janatbek Adambaev, has said, “The first leg will take from three to four years, with 80 people, mainly designers, involved. Gradually, the number of employees will increase to 800 people. In the long run, we are eyeing localisation and locomotive parts production”.
According to the national operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, its freight fleet includes currently 1,600 locomotives. The company plans to purchase 374 locomotives until 2029, with another 200 vehicles acquired from CRRC.
