GE inks locomotive, service contracts with Kazakhstan railroad

GE Transportation has signed two contracts with Kazakhstan's state-run railroad Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) to supply 300 shunter locomotives and provide maintenance services for 175 passenger Evolution™ Series locomotives.

Valued at more than $900 million, the agreements were signed during Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev's visit to the United States. The first two shunters are slated to be delivered in 2019, with the remainder delivered over the next decade.

The maintenance and repair agreement covers an 18-year period, according to a GE press release.

GE's previous collaboration with KTZ includes the delivery of more than 400 modernization kits in 1995, along with construction of an Evolution locomotive assembly plant in Astana in 2006. To date, the facility has manufactured more than 300 freight locomotives and eight passenger locomotives.

"Our new agreements with KTZ reflect our ongoing commitment to partner with Kazakhstan to build a world-class rail industry that serves the region and beyond," said Rafael Santana, chief executive officer of GE Transportation.