Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan: The Kyrgyz Temir Zholu (KTJ) national railway operator showed an experimental passenger coach it has modernized. At the same time, the Uzbek company Orient Metal (part of the Orient Group) presented the first 80 ft container flatcar of its own production.
The modernization of the coach to be written off was carried out at the KTJ wagon repair plant in Bishkek without attracting external investment. As part of the work performed, the body structure was strengthened, window openings were enlarged and panoramic windows were installed. In addition, the coach was equipped with new auto brakes, running gear elements and an air conditioning system. After testing, the coach confirmed compliance with the requirements of fire and electrical safety rules. KTJ emphasised that it has not purchased new passenger coaches since 1991.
Inside the experimental passenger coach by Kyrgyz temir jolu. Source: KTJ
In turn, a container flat car was produced at the Orient Metal plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It is designed to carry two 40 ft or four 20 ft containers. The manufacturer claims that the tests of prototypes will begin in July-August, and the completion of tests and certification is scheduled for the third quarter this year.
A prototype of container flatcar by Orient Metal. Source: Orient Metal
Previously, Orient Metal did not produce rolling stock. According to Dilshod Shukurov, Managing Director of the Metallurgy business area of Orient Group, the company decided to master the production of container flatcars in connection with the expected demand in the domestic and exports markets. “Uzbekistan Railways has a demand of up to 200 units per year. In addition, partners from the EU and CIS, as well as UzAuto Motors, a Chevrolet car production plant in Uzbekistan, became interested in the project”, Shukurov notes. At the first stage, Orient Metal plans to set up production with a capacity of up to 200 flatcars per year.
It is worth noting that in Uzbekistan there is another flatcar producer. In the product catalog of the Casting and Mechanical Plant (part of the Uzbekistan Railways rail operator), there is a flat car for the large-capacity containers transportation, model 13-6991, developed by SKB MIIT from Russia. Serial production of the flatcar began in 2020, its carrying capacity is declared at the level of 70 t.
