Railways in

Moldova

In 2020, CFM received the first of a fleet of new locomotives, to replace ageing locomotives that had been in operation since the Soviet era.
These are GE Transportation type TE33AC, 4000hp Co-Co diesel electric locomotives, assembled by LKZ in Kazakhstan.

The first railway in Moldova opened in 1867, in what is now the secessionist region of Pridnestrovie, from the Ukrainian border to Tiraspol. This was extended in 1871 to Chişinău in Moldova proper. The line was built to Russian standard gauge (then 1524mm). Further development took place at the same gauge, including in 1877 a line as far as Iaşi in Romania, a country whose railway network is for the most part standard (1435mm) gauge.

Following the First World War, Moldova became part of Romania. The railways were converted to standard gauge and several new lines constructed. Then, following the Second World War, Moldova was taken into the Soviet Union and the lines were regauged to 1520mm.

Moldovan Railways was created on the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and owns and operates the network to this day. There is an international connection with Romania, with a break of gauge at Iași, once part of an important through route between Russia and Central Europe. A connection with Pridnestrovie, on the same through route, is believed to have been out of use since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Another connection with Romania exists between Giurgiulești and the Danube port of Galați. A connection between Basarabeasca and Serpneve, Ukraine, closed since 1999, reopened in 2022, providing a route from Odesa to Galați bypassing Pridnestrovie. Another connection with Ukraine via Ungheni was reopened in November, 2022, to carry a thrice weekly pasenger service between Kyiv and Chişinău. A third connection with Romania, across the River Prut between Cantemir and Fălciu, reopened in 2026.

In 2026, an order was placed with local supplier Informbusiness SRL for two battery powered tram-train vehicles. Initially these will operate a service between Chișinău and Revaca, near Chișinău International Airport. If successful the service may be extended further into the city, and to the airport itself. Additional units may be purchased to operate other routes.

• CFM Moldovan Railways (Site in Romanian and Russian)

See also Pridnestrovie.