The Estonian domestic train operator Edelaraudtee (Southwest Railway) has sent one of its diesel passenger trains to Kazakhstan.
Estonian rail operator Edelaraudtee sends train to Kazakhstan for trials
16th May 2013, 17:37
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It's a pilot project to determine the train's suitability for local conditions and there is as yet no agreement on selling the train, the company said.
The train was sent to Kazakhstan for railworthiness trials and a sale or lease agreement has not been concluded to date, Edelaraudtee communications manager Kersti Gorstov said.
She offered no comment on how long the pilot project might last and whether its success would lead to sale or leasing negotiations. "We have nothing more to add on this topic," she said.
The weekly Eesti Ekspress said on Thursday that Edelaraudtee has sold one of its old trains to Kazakhstan and if it suits local conditions more deals will follow.
The government decided last summer that beginning from 2015 until the end of 2017 the state-owned AS Elektriraudtee (Electric Railways) will be the sole operator of domestic passenger trains in Estonia. As a result, Edelaraudtee has to find some other use for its property or sell it.