Kazakhstan has stepped up to support Kyrgyzstan’s national railway, KTJ, by gifting two shunting locomotives and three main line units. This gesture came after discussions at the Kyrgyz-Kazakh intergovernmental council in December 2024.KTJ currently operates around 70 locomotives, most of which are quite old, averaging about 35 years.
Meanwhile, testing for Stadler’s Euro 9000 six-axle locomotive is progressing in Italy. This follows successful approvals from several European countries including Germany and the Netherlands.
Pakistan Railways, in collaboration with Etihad Rail, has inked two memoranda of understanding aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s railway system. This initiative builds on a significant agreement made earlier this year with the UAE to invest over $3 billion into railway infrastructure advancement. Plans are underway for a new freight line stretching from Karachi Port to Pipri and establishing intermodal hubs alongside Dubai Port World.
Ironhorse Resources, known for its expertise in rail operations and development, will take charge of developing Kraus Development’s Gateway Rail Industrial Park near Laredo, Texas. Kurt Kraus, CEO of kraus Development, expressed confidence that Ironhorse’s experiance will provide reliable rail services that benefit future tenants by improving their connectivity within both US and global markets.
A recent visit by Dr Mohamad Jawad Al Quraishi from iraq’s embassy to Switzerland focused on Iraq’s membership status with OTIF. Even though Iraq joined back in ’65, it faced suspension in ’97 due to a lack of international rail traffic stemming from unique circumstances. The country can regain its membership simply by notifying OTIF once international services resume.
SCT Group’s Geoff Smith has taken on the role of Chair for Australia’s Freight on Rail Group. He highlighted pressing issues within the sector that require open dialog—notably concerning environmental policies that seem to favor other transport modes despite rail being more eco-amiable and safer.
The UK’s Rail Forum and Rail Freight Group have renewed their partnership through a memorandum aimed at bolstering the UK supply chain within the rail freight industry—a move reflecting their long-standing collaboration.
Additionally, Union pacific has appointed Christina Conlin as senior Vice-President following Craig Richardson’s retirement as Chief Legal officer & Corporate Secretary.
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City recently issued $600 million worth of notes due in both 2030 (at an interest rate of 4·8%) and another $600 million due in 2035 (at a rate of 5·2%). These funds will primarily go towards refinancing existing debts along with general corporate needs.
Australia’s Inland Rail just released its sixth Annual Sustainability Report detailing remarkable outcomes for FY23-24: they’ve cut water usage by an impressive 37% compared to previous benchmarks; currently track about one-fifth (18%) materials featuring recycled content or low embodied impact; plus achieved a notable reduction—38%—in greenhouse gas emissions!
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