High-speed record set in Kazakhstan with KZ4AT passenger locomotive

Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has set a new high-speed record in Kazakhstan whilst conducting tests on its KZ4AT passenger locomotive on the line South East of Astana.

Alstom’s KZ4AT passenger locomotive reach speeds of 200 km/h on the Moiynty-Kiik line South East of Astana as part of tests to allow the locomotives to run up to their maximum design speed during commercial operation.

An important hub linking Europe, Middle East, Asia and Russia through new Silk Way

Bernard Peille, Managing Director South CIS Alstom said: “We are very pleased and proud that those tests were successful and that we reached 200 km/h for the first time in the railway history of Kazakhstan. This record opens new promising prospects for Kazakhstan as an important hub linking Europe, Middle East, Asia and Russia through new Silk Way.”

KZ4AT high-speed passenger locomotive operates in extreme weather conditions

The multi-purpose KZ4AT locomotive is based on the Alstom Prima modular platform and is able to run at speeds of 200km/h in passenger services and has been designed to successfully operate in extreme weather conditions from -50C to +50C. Developed on the basis of KTZ (Kazakhstan Railways) technical requirements and in compliance with GOST CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) standards and specifications, the locomotive has a traction system based on Alstom’s technology and components produced by Alstom and Transmashholding.

The locomotives will be produced at the EKZ plant in Astana, jointly owned by Alstom (50 percent), KTZ (25 percent) and Transmashholding (25 percent).