Rail transport in Tajikistan is limited, as the railroad system totals only 680 km of non-electrified, single-track railway in broad gauge. The system connects the main urban centres of western Tajikistan with points in neighboring Uzbekistan. In 1999 a new line connected the southern cities of Bokhtar and Kuljab. In 2016, another line connected both cities to the capital Dušanbe, thus linking southern and central railway networks together. The northern branch around Khujand remains physically disconnected from this main Tajik railway network, accessible only through a lengthy transit via Uzbekistan. As of 2017, the passenger service remains limited to infrequent international trains from Dušanbe and Khujand to Moscow, one weekly train from Dušanbe to Khujand (via Uzbekistan) as well as a local service between Dušanbe and Pakhtaabad daily and Kuljab/Shahrtuz twice weekly.

This double locomotive 2TE116 is from the times of the Soviet Union. It is here seen leading a train from Dušanbe to Kuljab. Here it is stopping at Kurgan-Tjube in April 2025 where the train changed direction and the locomotive was moved from one end of the train to another.
Picture by Timo Varshukov.

Trains are composed of typical Soviet Russian green coaches.
Picture from an unknown small station by Timo Varshukov, April 2025.

Inside view of one of these same coaches. Note how they are used for sitting in the daytime and bed linen are kept overhead but that they can be converted to sleeping couchettes in a matter of seconds.
Picture by Timo Varshukov, April 2025.

A Tajik man, a mechanic of the train, is sitting on the couch of the wagon and is talking on his phone. He was oredering for more water to be delivered to the train at the next station. Note how the table on which he is leaning can be turned around and lowered to create a bed for sleeping for the nighttime. Pillows are stored over him on the two other beds.
Picture by Timo Varshukov, April 2025.

The locomotive type TE33A is one of the modern machines in the country. TE33A is a type of diesel locomotive developed by General Electric Transportation Systems for 1,520 mm gauge railways. It is part of the GE Evolution Series locomotive family.
Picture from an unknown place 9.6.2013 by Ibrahim Rustamov. This picture has been published under the Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0license.