Urumqi-Astana through train
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Suspended (China section)
Kazakhstan
China| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Express train |
| Status | In operational (Kazakhstan section) Suspended (China section) |
| Locale | Kazakhstan China |
| Current operator | KTJ Tselinograd |
| Route | |
| Termini | Astana Urumqi |
| Stops | Dostik Alashankou |
| Train number | 053Ц/054Ц（Astana↔Aqtogai）
013Х/014ЦТ（Aqtogai↔Dostik） K9797/9798（China） |
| Line used | Turksib |
| On-board services | |
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | MECT Platzkart |
| Track gauge | 1,524 mm (5 ft) 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
Urumqi-Astana through train, 053Ц/054Ц from Astana to Aqtogai, 013Х/014ЦТ from Aqtogai to Dostyk and K9797/9798 in China is an international train operated by KTJ Tselinograd since 27 May 2008, it is the second Sino-Kazakhstan international train after the Urumqi-Almaty route. The travel distance of the train is 1898 km, which the journey lasts for 38.5 hrs. And the return journey lasts for 38 hrs 48 mins.
The construction of Lanzhou-Xinjiang railway was completed in 1990 and connected to the Soviet Turksib to form the New Eurasian Land Bridge.[1] However, due to lack of passenger services between China and Europe, the Sino-European transport is limited until the Urumqi-Almaty through train commenced in 1992. With the moving of capital to Astana in 1997, China and Kazakhstan begin to evaluate the possibility of operating a new train route from Astana.[2]
Due to rapid development of Xinjiang as an entreport of Central Asia. The original aviation and land transport did not met the demand, thus the importance raised for a second international railway.
In May 2008, China and Kazakhstan agreed on opening a new train route between Astana and Urumqi, and went into trial operations on 21 May 2008.[3] On 27 May 2008, the train commenced operations as 053Ц/054Ц in Kazakhstan and N897/898 in China, the train is operated by KTJ Tselinograd and change bogies at Dostyk. The train operates one return journey.
From 1 April 2009, CR reschedule N897/898 to K9797/9798 as a part of reschedule.
Due to Astana World Expo in 2017, train 053Ц/054Ц changed the Kazakhstan termini to Astana Nurly Zhol station.
From 20 March 2019, the Kazakhstan termini Astana is renamed to Nur-Sultan until its revert in 2022.
From 2020, due to COVID-19, all services will terminate at Dostyk and the Chinese section is suspended.[4]
Train composition
The train are operated with German made Russian MECT coaches, which there will be four platzkart coaches under KTJ Tselinograd.[5] In addition, the train will be detached and joined with the Urumqi-Almaty train at Aqtogai.
Due to gauge differences between two countries, all KTJ trains will change bogies at Dostik. The passengers will alight the train and wait at the forementioned stations for about 3 hours to complete a full immigration clearance.
| Section | Astana↔Urumqi |
|---|---|
| Coaches | 5-8 |
| Type | МЕСТ-36
36 pax Platzkart |
| Operator | KTJ Tselinograd |
