Railways in

Kyrgyzstan

Freight train between Bishkek and Balykchy

Locomotive 2TE10V-4002 hauls a freight train through mountainous country between Bishkek and Balykchy.
The 2TE10V is a 2-unit 6000hp (2×3000hp) Co-Co+Co-Co diesel electric, manufactured at the Voroshilovgrad Locomotive Works between 1975 and 1981.

The Kyrgyz railway network consists of two lines, built to Russian standard gauge (1520mm) during the Soviet era. The more northerly of these lines enters the country from Kazakhstan and runs via Bishkek to Balykchy on the shores of the Issyk-Kul (Warm Lake), a distance of about 250km. The much shorter southern line enters from Uzbekistan and serves the city of Osh, with branches to Jalal-Abad and Kyzyl-Kiya.

Local passenger train services operate from Bishkek to Kar-Balta and Tokmok. International services operate from Bishkek to various destinations in Kazakhstan and Russia. A summer only service operates through the spectacular mountain scenery between Bishkek and Balykchy; one weekly service during the season connects Balychky with Toshkent in Uzbekistan. No passenger services operate on the southern line.

In 2022, work began on a 186km line from Balykchy to Karakeche, connecting with the northern line.

In 2024, the Kyrgyz government signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with a Chinese construction corporation for a major road and rail renovation project in the capital city, Bishkek. The project would involve relocation of the railway to bypass the city centre.

In 2025, construction began on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway, a new international railway between Kashgar, China and Andijan, Uzbekistan. 305km of the line will be in Kyrgyzstan, from the Chinese border at the Torugart Pass, running via Makmal, Jergetal, Kochkor, Kazarman, Jalal-Abad, and Uzgen to the Uzbek border at Osh. There will be a change of gauge at Makmal.

Also in 2025, funding was agreed for a new railway, to be known as the Trans-Eurasian route, from Makmal in the Jalal-Abad region, where it will connect with the CKU route, to Karakol, in the northeast of the country, near the Chinese border.

Also in 2026, consruction began on an 80km line from Balykchy to Cholpon Ata, the first phase of a railway planned to encircle Issyk Kul. A second phase would run from Balykchy to Karakol, along the south shore of the lake.