Narrow gauge railways in Kazakhstan

Since 1954 Kazakhstan has developed many 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) gauge lines, in six individual networks with a total length of approximately 1150 km.^[1]

Overview

• Atbasar network, 255 km
• Kokchetav network, 305 km, operational since 1954, partly ragauged to Russian gauge (1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in)).^[2]
• Kustanay, 143 km, opened in 1953.
• Utjak to Peski-Celinnie line, 264 km
• Novo-Uritskoje - Kovilnaja, 94 km, opened in 1957.
• Bulaevo line, approximately 99 km long, opened in 1957, closed in 1989.^[3]
• Kotrbulak Acisaj line via Ujik, Kokkija and Sergo, 47 km industrial railway operated by the metallurgical combine Acpolimetall in Kentau, closed in 1980.^[4]

Children's railways

Kazakhstan has several Children's (pioneers) railways located in or near cities.^[5]

• Alma-Ata Children's railway, 1.3 km long circular railway opened in Alma-Ata in 1952
• Arkaluk Children's railway, almost nothing is known about this railway. Opened approximately 1986 and closed in 1993.
• Astana Children's railway, opened in 1946 and closed in 2002.
• Atbasar Children's railway, opened in November 1979 and has been closed and dismantled between 1991 and 1996.
• Chimkent Children's railway, 6 km long, opened in 1980.
• Karaganda Children's railway, 5 km long, opened on 1 May 1957.
• Kokchetav Children's railway, opened in 1984 and closed in 1995.
• Kustanaj Children's railway, 3 km and opened on 7 October 1978,closed in 1999.
• Kurort-Borovoe Children's railway, opened in 1979 and closed in 1998/1999.
• Pavlodar Children's railway, opened in 1979.
• Semipalatinsk Children's railway, 1–2 km long circular railway, opened in 1981 and closed in 1989.

References