Uzbekistan Railways July 2026

Tashkent Metro 14th/15th July 2026

I took a number of trips on the Tashkent Metro, here are some pictures.

Tashkent Railway Museum 15th July 2026

A look around Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Railway Museum on a very hot July morning. This is central Asia’s only railway museum. Most of the exhibits are Russian gauge, but there are a few items of interest to the narrow gauge enthusiast.

At the entrance there is a narrow gauge steam loco, in good exterior condition. This goes for the whole site, while everything is stored outside, they seem to have the resources necessary to maintain a good cosmetic appearance. I observed a loco with worn (but acceptable) paintwork being re-sprayed and a cleaner attending to some of the locos.

There is a narrow gauge running line that runs the full length of the (short) site, the rails are not rusty and show signs of recent use, but it was not operating when I was there (I did ask). I’m guessing 750mm gauge. The running line had a diesel loco and two coaches sat at a platform by the entrance. There were two sections of disconnected track next to the running line with a further diesel of the same type and some more coaches.

Based on information I found online I suspect that some (maybe all) of the NG stock came from the Tashkent Children’s railway which closed in 2017, but don’t take my word for that! The stock on one of the disconnected sidings looks similar to the picture on this page: https://trenopedia.com/narrow-gauge-railways-in-uzbekistan/ . The loco on the running line has number TY7A-3143, the loco on the disconnected track section did not have a number visible. The cab pictures are of the latter.

At the back of the site I found a rail mounted excavator (I think?) with a wagon for spoil. Probably 600mm gauge.

Milliy Bog – Former Location of Tashkent Children’s Railway

I did visit the park where the Children’s railway was located as well, which is the Tashkent National Park at Milliy Bog on the metro. I did not have much time to explore, however assuming I had the correct location (Google maps still shows the railway), all trace of it has been obliterated by a Disney style theme park with a magic castle.

Tashkent to Samarkand on the Sharq 15th July 2026

A journey from Tashkent to Samarkand on the slower “Sharq” service which is loco hauled with ~ 12-14 coaches.

Samarkand to Bukhara on the Afrosiyob 17th July 2026

A journey from Samarkand to Bukhara on the fast “Afrosiyob” service, imported Spanish Talgo stock. The temperature reached 47C during the day, which seemed to cause problems on the return run, which slowed right down and stopped for a while. Still only 30 mins late.