September 26, 2025 - TRA Newswire -
Wabtec Corporation, which operates a major locomotive manufacturing facility at Fort Worth Alliance announced this week a landmark agreement with National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway of Kazakhstan, to deliver Evolution Series locomotives and provide long-term service support.
The multi-year order, valued at $4.2 billion, marks the largest locomotive agreement in Wabtec’s history.
Wabtec operates its largest factory in Erie Pennsylvania, and It's not immediately clear if the agreement will benefit the Pennsylvania or Texas plant. Many of the locomotives purchased by foreign railroads are built at Erie while the Fort Worth facility has been primarily turning out domestic locomotives.
“For over two decades, our partnership with KTZ has been critical in transforming Kazakhstan’s rail industry,” said Rafael Santana, President and CEO of Wabtec. “This historic agreement embodies KTZ’s visionary approach for the country’s rail network as the primary link between Europe and Asia. By delivering advanced locomotives and long-term service solutions, Wabtec is a proud partner in Kazakhstan’s progress, helping to unlock the region’s enormous potential and developing the engineering competencies in the country’s railway industry.”
The new locomotives will operate in demanding weather conditions and mountainous terrain of Kazakhstan. The next generation of Evolution Series locomotives will improve fuel efficiency and operate for longer periods between maintenance overhauls. The order also includes maintenance services agreements to support the new locomotives and KTZ’s existing railroad fleet.
"Kazakhstan plays a key role in realizing the transit potential of the Eurasian continent," said Talgat Aldybergenov, the CEO of National Railway Company of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. "This new agreement confirms our commitment to advanced technologies in the transport sector and will also make a significant contribution to the development of industry and railway engineering in Kazakhstan."
The contract specifies that the locomotives are to be assembled in Kazakhstan with components manufactured in the U.S.
Photo credit: Wabtec 10 year anniversary at Fort Worth