Iran Starts Mass Production of National Train Wagons
The National Train Set Project, which was initiated in 2019, aims to indigenize metro technology and reduce import dependency. Developed through a collaboration between the Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, Tehran Municipality, and knowledge-based companies, the project achieved 85% indigenization of components, including critical systems like bogie technology.
The first operational train was manufactured in 2022 and successfully passed safety tests. Currently, the train is in service on metro lines such as Tehran’s Parand line. A contract for producing 113 additional carriages is underway, with two more train sets expected to join Tehran’s fleet by late 2025.
This initiative not only strengthens local industries but also reduces foreign exchange costs and enhances the quality of urban transportation. The project received significant financial backing, with $30 million allocated alongside municipal contributions to advance its mass production.
Iranian Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin highlighted plans for further projects, including the development of a five-car train tailored for cities like Isfahan, Tabriz, and Mashhad. This project, assigned to Mapna Group, represents Iran’s ambition to expand its technological capabilities in urban rail systems.
With continuous investment and a focus on domestic innovation, the National Train set project demonstrates Iran’s commitment to modernizing its urban transit systems while fostering technological self-reliance.
Last year, a total of 1,660 wagons and locomotives were added to the country’s railway fleet in four stages.
Advantages such as consuming less fuel and creating less pollution as well as high safety attach priority to the railway when compared to some other transportation systems, and make its development economically viable.
In late February, the Iranian railway fleet also received 685 new domestically-made or renovated wagons and locomotives worth 33.58 trillion rials (about $67.7 million).
The wagons and locomotives included 645 freight wagons, 10 new locomotives, five renovated locomotives, two new passenger wagons, and 23 renovated passenger wagons, all manufactured and renovated by domestic companies.
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