As expected.
Kazakhstan suddenly announced that it would advance railway cooperation with the United States in 2025, with the core being the modernization of old lines and locomotives.
According to public information, Kazakhstan's national railway company signed a large order with Wabtec in Pittsburgh, USA, involving hundreds of ES44ACi heavy-haul locomotives, along with multi-year maintenance services. Some will be assembled domestically in Kazakhstan, and local personnel will be trained.
The pace is clear. When Tokayev attended a multilateral meeting in New York, he was photographed meeting extensively with U.S. business figures; reports mentioned that he had called U.S. senior officials about locomotive procurement and local support, but details remain undisclosed.
Looking closer at home, our Daqin Line has been running 10,000-ton heavy hauls for years, and domestically produced electric locomotives can withstand the intensity even in winter cold; while the ES44ACi is a U.S. freight workhorse, with ample long-distance heavy haul experience. Each technology has its own highlights, but the real aim of this cooperation is to choose partners, not to chase the ceiling.
Breaking down the details makes it more straightforward. The disclosed terms show that the U.S. retains core components, while Kazakhstan mainly does assembly and operation and maintenance. Compared with the high level of localization common in our foreign cooperation, Kazakhstan is getting limited upgrades this time, which can bring short-term speed improvements, but long-term technical accumulation is limited.
Looking at the pressure on the corridor, the China-Europe freight trains need to pass through Alashankou and Khorgos. Indeed, there are many bottlenecks on the old Kazakh lines. Modernizing locomotives can improve traction and turnover. However, equipment delivery takes time, and if electrification and expansion of marshalling yards do not follow, the bottleneck will shift elsewhere.
Maintenance costs are also a key factor. Multi-year service ensures full protection, but spare parts are mainly supplied from the U.S., and cross-oceanic delivery and exchange rate fluctuations will be passed into operating costs. In contrast, the Central Asian region already has a relatively mature supply network, with shorter supply radii.
Safety considerations are also on the table. After the Ukraine conflict, the northern border of Kazakhstan has become more sensitive, and increased patrols by the authorities are a fact. Seeking the U.S. as "another lever" can be understood, but the distant water cannot quench the immediate thirst. The U.S. usually puts its domestic interests first, which can be seen from the terms.
Looking further ahead, according to the plan, these locomotives will be deployed first on the main corridors, prioritizing the promotion of transiting transport. However, what truly determines efficiency are also the capacity for cargo transfer at the border, station organization, and the upgrading of scheduling systems—these are all within the control of Kazakhstan itself.
Employment is a highlight. Domestic assembly and maintenance can create jobs and cultivate a technical workforce. However, high-value-added segments remain in the supplier's location, and the level and depth of industrial development will not be achieved overnight.
By comparison, the controllability of nearby cooperation is higher. Synergy with adjacent channels, timetable optimization, and port operations coordination are all "hard skills" that can yield immediate results, and the risks are more controllable.
This railway cooperation involves business, face, and genuine increases in transport capacity. But if it is regarded as a talisman, its role boundaries will be overestimated.
First, focus on what you can control, smooth out the channel, and manage the equipment chain before diversifying sources and increasing options. Only then can a sense of security be more stable. The conclusion is simple: build the road well and maintain the rhythm, that is the key.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848795481930756/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.