In the past, there were fourteen children’s railways in Kazakhstan. Currently, there is probably only one narrow-gauge railway in Kazakhstan in operation. Children’s railway in Almaty was closed in 1997. The railway is abandoned. Scenic children’s railway in Astana was closed and dismantled in 2002. Children’s railway in Pavlodar was closed six years later – there were plans to rebuild this railway.
Children’s Railway in Karaganda – construction of the narrow-gauge railway in Karaganda (Карагандинская детская железная дорога) began in 1956. The first train made his journey in the city park on May 1, 1957. Initially, the route was 1800 meters long, later was extended to 5100 meters. Until 1990, rolling stock fleet consist Polish Pafawag carriages. In the late nineties, due to the financial crisis, Kazakh railways refused further subsiding the railway. In November 2001, train services were suspended, and the tracks were supposed to be dismantled. Thanks to the efforts of the city authorities, the railway operated from 2004 to 2006. Then train services were suspended again. In July 2007 tracks and infrastructure had been repaired. Trains operate seasonally.
Children’s Railway in Shymkent (probably closed) – construction of the Children’s Railway in Shymkent began in 1979. According to the plan, the first trains were supposed to launch on Children’s Day – June 1, 1980. Test rides took place in May. It is a relatively long railway, connecting the Sportnaya and Tulpar stations. The line starts at the stadium and ends at the gate of the zoo, where there are recreational areas very popular among the residents of Shymkent. Nearby, you can relax by the artificial lake.
The line is unusual for a children’s railway. The length of the line is 6 kilometers, and the train passes through a tunnel and two bridges along the way, which is not typical for such railways. The rolling stock consists of two TU-2 locomotives, PV 51 carriages, and 4 Polish Pafawag carriages.
Probably the railway was closed. Bike path was build on a part of the old railway line.
There were also seven 750 mm railway networks in the country. Some of them were closed, some converted to 1520 mm gauge.
Atbasar network, 255 km
Kokchetav network, 305 km, operational since 1954, partly regauged to Russian gauge (1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in)).
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.
Kotrbulak Acisaj line via Ujik, Kokkija and Sergo, 47 km industrial railway operated by the metallurgical combine Acpolimetall in Kentau, closed in 1980.
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