Monument to legendary VL60—symbol of locomotive crews' labor—unveiled in Sary-Shagan

06-08-2026

A Railway Workers' Park has opened in the village of Sary-Shagan, Aktogay District, following an initiative by railway industry veterans. The centerpiece of the park is a VL60 mainline electric locomotive mounted on a pedestal. It stands as a symbol of the conscientious labor of several generations of railway workers who ensured the uninterrupted operation of the main line. Adjacent memorial plaques feature the names of distinguished industry workers and honorary citizens of the district.

The opening ceremony was attended by local residents, industry veterans, and representatives of "NC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" JSC.

Manufactured between 1957 and 1967 at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant, the VL60 was the first Soviet mainline alternating current (AC) electric locomotive designed for both freight and passenger traffic. These locomotives first arrived in Kazakhstan during the first half of the 1960s, driven by the electrification of the Tselinnaya and Kazakh railways.

For decades, the VL60 locomotives were operated at the locomotive depots of Astana and Karaganda, as well as the Sary-Shagan turnaround depot, becoming an integral part of the nation's railway history. Their phased decommissioning began in the early 2000s.

Today, locomotive crews at the Sary-Shagan station operate modern mainline electric locomotives, including the KZ8A series freight locomotives.

Sary-Shagan is rightfully considered a railway workers' village, with nearly every third family connected to the industry. The opening of the park and monument serves as a tribute to those who dedicated their lives to the railway, preserving the history of Kazakhstan's steel mainline development.

Press service of JSC «NC«Kazakhstan Temir Zholy»