Alstom’s KEP JV (www.alstom.com) recently manufactured its 3,000th P80 point machine for Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ); these machines move the points systems that control the movement of trains between tracks.

Manufactured at KEP (in Almaty, Kazakhstan), Alstom’s P80 point machine is designed to operate with low levels of maintenance, while providing ‘the highest level of safety’.

The P80 is certified for speeds up to 180kph and commercial operation for up to 20 years (plus 15 more years after overhaul maintenance). Alstom has installed more than 50,000 point machines in over 30 countries world-wide.

Irina Lukoshkova, general director of KEP JV, said: “We are proud that we have produced our 3,000th P80 point machine for Kazakhstan Railways. This proves that our product is reliable and totally fits local infra-structure.”

KEP was formed in 2013 and was awarded a 90 million euro contract for the supply of 10,000 point machines to KTZ.

Owned 50/50 by Alstom and Special Oil Projects, KEP employs more than 50 people on supplying the P80 point machines to KTZ.