CRRC Ziyang has delivered the first SKD6s hybrid shunting locomotive to Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ),for which the operator confirmed that certificates of conformity for the locomotives have been received, ensuring compliance with national standards. By the end of this year, CRRC will deliver 62 additional locomotives and in addition, a further 38 units are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2026. The new SKD6s diesel shunting locomotives will be deployed primarily in the Karaganda and Pavlodar regions, where new service centres are planned to support operations. Additional deployment is expected at the Astana locomotive depot.
This delivery of the hybrid shunting locomotive forms part of a broader framework agreement signed in 2023 between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and CRRC Corporation for the supply of 100 diesel shunting locomotives and 100 mainline diesel locomotives. Valued at USD 1.3 billion, the agreement also covers the provision of advanced traction equipment and the establishment of rolling stock maintenance centres across Kazakhstan, as well as the development of an engineering centre. CRRC has announced plans to invest USD 200 million in these new facilities, with Kazakhstan pledging its full support for the initiative.
The long-standing partnership between KTZ and CRRC spans over two decades. In this time, Kazakhstan has acquired approximately 300 passenger coaches and mainline locomotives, along with more than 6,000 Chinese-manufactured freight wagons. These units have consistently demonstrated reliability and efficiency under the demanding operational conditions of the Kazakh rail network.
The continued cooperation reflects not only the strength of bilateral industrial relations but also Kazakhstan’s strategic goal of modernising its rail infrastructure and boosting regional connectivity. The arrival of the SKD6s locomotives marks a significant milestone in this ongoing transformation, further enhancing the nation’s transport capacity and positioning it as a critical transit hub in Eurasia.
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