Geographic Focus: Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan Republic, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrghyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Uzbekistan

Project Budget : EURO 700,000

Contract awarded to : SYSTRA

Implementation timetable: April 1996 through July 1997

Background and Objectives. The condition of rolling stock is reputed to have seriously deteriorated since the break-up of the FSU. Lack of maintenance was cited as a principal cause. This project addressed the following issues : (ii) to provide recommendations to solve existing problems concerning rolling stock maintenance / replacement and manufacturing and supply of spare parts in the TRACECA region ; (ii) to provide guidance to rail organisations in the region for the establishment of commercially viable rolling stock maintenance and manufacturing, within the framework of a market-oriented railway system ; and (iii) to design a detailed reorganisation plan in co-operation with the national authorities.

Key Issues and Achievements. As detailed information was unavailable, data were gathered regarding the existing and required fleet of rolling stock, maintenance strategy and organisation, and the future overall requirements for spare parts supply and manufacturing were determined. A survey of facilities and enterprises in the region was conducted with recommendations on the future size and structure of the sector and case studies, and it was demonstrated how to execute rolling stock maintenance and manufacturing services on a commercial and market-oriented basis. The project provided a very comprehensive overview of the region’s rolling stock, locomotive and maintenance facility assets. Existing maintenance management and general operating procedures were reported. Later rail restructuring projects have made extensive use of the project output, in order to determine investment plans. As the EBRD showed interest in funding improvement of rail maintenance facilities and traction equipment, four case studies were prepared, including a rail tank wagon repair workshop in Azerbaijan, that is now benefiting from an USD 20 million EBRD loan. A two-week study tour to the EU was conducted for the participating team members.