Stadler has celebrated service entry of the first of Kazakhstan Railways’ (KTZ) brand-new CHARME sleeping coaches.
The custom-built coaches were manufactured at Stadler’s Astana plant, and have been designed to provide reliable service on long-distance journeys under challenging climatic conditions.
Delivery of the trains, which can operate on both electrified and non-electrified networks, marks a key milestone in a long-standing collaboration between Stadler and KTZ. The contract covers the production of 557 sleeping coaches and associated services for the next twenty years, and deliveries are set to continue through the end of 2030.
In October 2026, KTZ took delivery of over 100 locally manufactured CHARME coaches. Now, the new fleet has begun entering service over a 1.3km route between the country’s largest cities – Astana and Almaty.
Designed specifically around passenger needs, Stadler’s CHARME sleeping coaches include compartment coaches with 40 passenger beds, open-plan sleeping coaches with 58 passenger beds, and PRM coaches with 18 passenger beds, including dedicated accommodation for passengers with reduced mobility and a bistro zone.
The units are designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -50°C to +45°C, and the fleet is complemented by generator coaches that provide power on non-electrified routes. Passengers are anticipated to benefit from individual lighting and temperature control panels, 220V power outlets, USB and USB-C charging ports, onboard Wi-Fi, CCTV, and expanded luggage space.
Each unit’s interior design is inspired by Kazakhstan’s natural landscapes, and aims to provide a welcoming atmosphere, whilst accessibility features seek to ensure a more inclusive and comfortable travel experience.
Anuar Akhmetzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan Railways, said:Kazakhstan Railways has accepted 100 CHARME sleeping coaches. Their gradual introduction into service will enhance travel comfort and improve the quality of passenger services for customers across the country. The renewal of the passenger coach fleet remains one of the company’s key strategic priorities.
The original contract includes the transfer of technology from Switzerland to Kazakhstan, as well as the acquisition of a local production facility in Astana. In recent years, the plant has undergone a full modernisation process, and has received investments of more than 5 billion KZT for its reconstruction, whilst local specialists received full training at Stadler production sites in Europe.
Philipp Brunner, Head of the Central Europe Division and designated Group CEO of Stadler, said:In just three years, we have established a modern production facility in Kazakhstan, trained local specialists and delivered the first 100 custom-built sleeping coaches. This is a major milestone for Stadler and our partnership with KTZ. We are particularly proud that our local presence is creating skilled jobs, involving local suppliers and contributing to the long-term development of Kazakhstan’s railway industry.
As of today, Stadler Kazakhstan’s production facility in Astana carries out a range of localised, key technological operations including steel car body welding and painting, the manufacture of electrical equipment and underfloor components, bogie production, the installation of pneumatic and electrical systems. The assembly and commissioning of the rail vehicles manufactured at the site also take place in Astana.
This year, Stadler will expand its production site in Astana by investing over 14 billion KZT into the construction of new aluminium car body welding and painting workshops. This will mark the creation of the first highly automated facility in Central Asia dedicated to the production of aluminium rail car bodies.
