24 HOURS on Kazakhstan’s OLDEST Night Train… 

The scenery and being shunted over for every train that is nearby reminds me of my Amtrak trip from Chicago to Seattle last February.

"Apples are a local specialty in Almaty" that's actually where the name Almaty comes from! Aлма/Alma is the Kazakh word for apple, and Almaty means "full of apples"! The wild Malus sieversii is considered the ancestor of the modern domestic apple and it is native to southern Kazakhstan! That aside, I can totally picture Bald & Bankrupt saying "Soviet station, Soviet train, Soviet toilet" while watching this 😂Love how much the Kazakhs embrace their cool culture and how it's reflected on not just their gorgeous flag but also the tiling at Almaty-1 station! And honestly as a history buff, I get this journey on a Soviet train might be torture for some, but for someone like me, I enjoy and respect the charm and it's still an experience at the end of the day

On my student language trip to Russia in 1987 we took trains from Helsinki to Moscow, Moscow to Kharkov and again to Kiev, and then back, Kiev to Helsinki. I'm pretty sure you were in the same carriage 😂. Nice to see how well they held up! I enjoyed your video

Only ten minutes late for such a long journey. The whole thing seems to be quite well organized. These old Ammendorf carriages still do their job!

The renaming from Nur-Sultan to Astana is more of a re-renaming! The city became the capital in 1997, and Astana was the name given to it in 1998. It became Nur-Sultan in 2019 after Nursultan Nazarbayev retired. But as the country became more open about Nazarbayev’s legacy, they chose to change it back to Astana. four tickets so you could have it to yourself is quite the power move! When it comes to our own rail network, while pretty much all our electric locomotives are made in-house, our diesel locomotives were made in either China or the former Soviet Union. Even we have German rolling stock as our Pyongyang Metro is famous for having Berlin U-Bahn rolling stock, but recently we’ve also built a metro train in-house.

Ah, Kazakhstan! I had nearly a year working in Almaty 16 years ago - fascinating place that I didn't make the most of....... I didn't use public transport at all, though, walked evertywhere after a couple of colleagues had distressing experiences in taxis. Nur-Sultan was called Astana in those days too, I hadn't realized it had reverted. At that time the country was described as being the size of Western Europe with a population the size of the Netherlands. I also ate horsemeat a few times, including once in a pastie about twice the size of Ginster's finest - and very tasty it was too! Great video that brought back some bittersweet memories. Thanks.

Man a great video. Unlike many rail RU-vidrs (including more famous ones) you really seem to put a lot of effort into meeting locals and trying to communicate in their languages. And you do some sketchy places.

I rode the train through Kazakhstan this winter, and caught this wonderful weather like in the video. it's one of the best sceneries I've seen in my life, endless icy desert, sparse Kazakh villages, bright sun shining through your window. The views from the train window in real life are even more impressive. It's -30 outside and a mouth is steaming, so my thermos is cracked from the pressure difference.

Well, not the worst experience for sure. If you want real extreme, ride one of Tajik or Uzbek trains to Moscow where most of the occupants are season workers. The new coach you were in is not built but assembled by Tulkar-Talgo using TVZ (Russian coach and EMU manufacturer) parts. Pretty good one even if not very comfortable when it's hot outside.

Honestly this didn't look that bad apart from the toilets and lack of wall outlets, but like the latter is to be expected on such an old carriage. Apart from that it seemed quite comfy and if you can just make do without some modern amenities and prepare a bit it seems like a perfectly comfortable ride. I mean it's certainly more comfortable than most hostels in Europe. Also the staff seemed really friendly though that probably isn't gaurenteed. They might be old carriages but they were clearly built to a decent level of comfort back then and that holds up.

The Soviet era sleeping wagons were superior to their modern day equvalents. I remember traveling in them as a child and they were always so nice and cozy. The ones nowadays lack a soul and aren't nice at all.

It's clearly happy to see my town! 10:26 , Thanks for showing it off! And calling it with its name properly, hehe. If you travel again, please visit this small town! I'll be always welcome to show you my town off!! +1 new subscriber!!

I remember on the express train overnight in Kazakhstan once when on the new Talgo carriages and the "restaurant car" mentioned had a lovely comprehensive and cheap menu....but nothing was really available! I think there was one choice for meat eaters and for vegetarians like me I got served a Kit Kat chocolate bar, on a silver plate, under a silver cover. The best thing about the old Soviet style carriages is the space on them - I've spent overnight journeys on them in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Ukraine, always a great way to travel. Really enjoyed the video.

Kazakhstan is a very under-rated country as is Ubekistan to the South, I must say that I like the way you explain everything including the stations and the trains, keep up the good work

really a charming view of the city, you can also see the cleanliness of the city and the bustle of people passing by with activities that make me want to have a vacation there. thank you for introducing such a beautiful city to us. Greetings Green Village from Indonesia :)

I love the Soviet era carriages built in former East Germany but I also understand that it could be a challenge to survive it for 24 hours with 3 other people in the same compartment. I would like to try it though but maybe not for an overnight trip. Rather, for a 4 to 5 hours day trip. I'm planning a trip to Central Asia this summer, so I can't wait to try different trains there. Thank you for the great video!

I have been traveled a lot with this Ammendorf type of sleeping cars, since I’m a former USSR enthusiast. With this train I traveled from Moldova to Russia, Central Asia, Mongolia and China.

I have experience with the Russian built sleepers in Ukraine, it was a TVZ built carriage built somewhere in the 1980s or 90s and that one was already equipped with a vacuum toilet. The beds are very comfy indeed and suited for tall people thanks to the more generous loading gauge on the Russian broad gauge, it means that carriages can be wider as those in Europe and even the US. Having only some sockets in the corridor is a drawback, but as we were on a privately chartered train leaving your charging appliance alone was not a huge issue, but I can imagine that leaving your phone or camera unattended on a public service is not recommendable.

Watching your videos is a pleasure. Feel like throwing away everything and taking on train journeys all over the world. Enjoyable video, does'nt matter which country of the world it is.

24 hours on a train is nothing exceptional in this part of the world. A few years ago I traveled by train from Brussels to Tashkent. The Moscow-Taskhkent leg of the trip took nearly 3 days, in a similar carriage. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Seems like very kind people ready to share whatever they can 🙏

Those soviet carriages are charming as hell. Aside from the heating issue, they seem built extremely well and have a much warmer cozy feel than anything new.

A very cosy looking compartment - such a contrast to the almost ubiquitous white/grey wall coverings of most public transport nowadays.

There´s always a special cozy charm in those old soviet night trains that one can´t find in more modern ones...

If to be honest - this one of best train types i ever seen. Comfy, really comfy beds, safe and comfortable. So much better designed then modern trains.

mad respect for putting yourself through all of this!

Night trains have one in common: they do not have to be fast which means that you can use old cars and and bad rails, so they survive longer than other trains - been on the Lisboa - Madrid classic, takes 12 hours for about 500 Km, but still operating :) // As a designated train lover I enjoyed the well researched video very much //

16:08 YES PLEASE!!! I would absolutely love and appreciate, when you would do a video of the Kaz-Talgo-Train. I hope one day I can travel to Kazakhstan myself and in this case i would take a 1st-class compartment of the Talgo-Train for the journey from Astana to Almaty.

24 hours on that train....no problem...if, like you, i would get a part time job as conductor ....and people would wonder why i do not speak the language... 😊😊great video, and the train ride around Kazakhstan... many thanks... 🚂🚂

Wooow... I'll never complain about a 25min delay again in my life in Germany. As long as my ICE arrives at all and gets me where i want to go, I'll be fine...i will sit in my seat, enjoying a beer i brought myself and be thinking: At least i don't have to travel in the Kazakhstan-conditions i watched on RU-vid...😂❤🍻

I love Soviet union type countries

The name of the destination is Astana since 1998. They only changed the name to Nur-Sultan between 2019 and 2022.

Very good video. This reminds me of taking the real Canadian many times from Toronto to Thunder Bay 1315 km in 19 hrs. over the Canadian Pacific track hugging Lake Superior. Single track not electrified. But your train gets side tracked mostly by other passenger trains Learned something new about ammendorf coaches. Thought they were russian built. How these chinese eloks making out? Would love to take this train some day. 10 min late is nothing. Deutsche Bahn would have managed half a day more or less. Tea very cheap. My wife didn't want to pay 4.80 swiss franklis for hot water on recent very nice trip through switerland. But stunning scenery was free. Also reminds me of western Canada. Not boring at all.

You're such a crush in this Qazaqstani railways uniform💛

I mean, the thumbnail "SOVIET Train In 2023!" isnt really that impressing. It could just be, what, 33 years old, which isnt that old for a train (especially not for something Soviet made). My country (Denmark) opperates trains that are 35 years old.

What a ride! Must have been an experience of life.😁

Thank you for a great video - it was fun to watch. I liked the very reasonable calm approach of yours, without the unnecessary drama about the lack of some modern amenities. I have extensive experience with soviet-era trains, but most of my journeys as an adult were 8 to 14 hours. I only took a 48-hour long rail trip as a small kid, and I would suspect that my coupe was a pinch more simple. :-))) Keep up the good work! Greetings from St. Petersburg, RU!

Wonderful classic train. I miss this so..

One of the best journeys I took on one of these trains was from St Petersburg to Chelyabinsk on a Kazakh train. I didn't think I'd survive two and a half days on it, but it turned out to be really relaxing, just drinking plenty of tea and listening to music. The lighting was too dim to read, so that was all you could do!

Thank you very much for featuring such a genuine experience about this country that is very rare to be shown by this point of view nowadays on the web, not to mention about traditional media of course !

Thanks for sharing this.. Not a bad train ride for the price. I love the fact that you are respectful, not like SoMe other train travel videos I've seen lately (not everywhere is Japan, for an example).. I have travelled in trains in Japan, China, India, Chile, Europe and Australia. I love travelling on trains, beats the hell out of travelling on long distance buses. In saying that, I am giving you a thumbs up and subscribing.

Yes please! Please take a ride on the Flagship Train! .... and since you asked: This kind of travel is also something that I definitely want to do. Enjoy any further trips in some parts of the wold that are lesser known in the Western world.

В казахстане много новых собственных, зарубежных вагонов. Однако игнорирую их Я сяду только на старые советские Тверские вагоны. В старых вагонах история, микроклимат, атмосфера волшебное. Даже присутствует некий запах "времени" и конечно ДУХ и ДУША своеобразный

Hi from Kaz, just for info, the horses were not wild 😅, just freely grazing ones

Such nostalgic travelling, that makes me thinking about my childhood again.

I loved you vlog, as it reminds me my journey of Russian Railways in 2018.

I think having a blog on Khazah Talgo’s train would be a great idea.

What a marvellous trip! Breathtaking scenery :D

Laughed outloud when you mentioned people asked you about the tea

Fun and informative video. Thank you.

Yes I'd love a video of the flagship overnight line.

Almaty, like all cities, is multifaceted and multifaceted, historically multilayered. This is a kind of accumulator of history, a witness and participant in many historical events. Surviving eras and states, Almaty was reborn, rising from the ruins and ashes, was in a constant process of renewal. A few years ago, Almaty celebrated its thousandth anniversary. UNESCO even included the 1000th anniversary of Almaty in the list of anniversaries.

Very beautiful country

Thank you Albs channel, i will book my trains from Almaty-2

This is not the fullness of the sensations from the Soviet train. The most authentic experience is being a passenger in a reserved seat car. In Russia and Kazakhstan, it is called a "Platskart". I have to note that in Russia such old wagons are almost not found.

What an intrepid journey , compulsive watching ! I would have expected train connections between Almaty 1 and Almaty 2 , but I guess there were none. The first train was in Borat style , very nice.

Your videos are the highlight of my week

the beginning of your video proved that the Dacia/Renault Logan is very popular as a taxi car in post soviet countries and rightfully so.

A note to the video, that trains are not the main type of transport in Kazakhstan. Middle and high class Kazakhstani people don’t use trains, they drive a car, take a taxi or fly by plane. Last time I took a train was 5 years ago for one journey, and before that, 15 years ago.

if you paid 4 seats for 1 person it is nice for you to get free tee

Thank you! It was really interesting :) Privet from Kharkiv, Ukraine and welcome to Ukraine.

Great video! Good job with having learned some russian, that helps A LOT in that part of the world and gives you a way better understanding of the area too. Looking forward to your other Kazakh videos!

Fun fact: these trains are still much newer than the suburban trains in Budapest, Hungary

What an amazing video! I remember by trip from Moscow to Astana via train! This 4-5 day trip has always been a story, and the train becoming more of a community. I wonder did this train had platzkart - would be cool if you explained a bit about that - since this is something very weird for a layout.

Nur-Sultan renamed to Astana? more like RE-RENAMED

Oh it brings back memory of my crisscrossing kazak way back in 2001 by train

Dont forget to visit us in Indonesia🥰 and try the frist high speed train in southeast Asia.. 👊🏻august 2023 Indonesia High speed train will be open for public 🙏😆🙏

12:46 bro has not seen the toilets on the czech OS services

9:07 Babushka approved moment

You definitely should see Borovoe, not far from Astana, very beautiful place

Those water boilers at 9:30 called "Titan", not "samovar"(selfboil)

That toilet is what makes me nervous to take a long journey like this. I’m bringing some disposable cleaning wands haha

Just subb'd. I feel a binge watch of this channel in the coming days. Thank you, great content.

Nice trip! 👍As for the train, for me, coming from an ex-communist country in Europe and where the things don't improve so fast, of course this trip seems like a ''normal'' trip, a ''normality'' we are used to. But for a German, English, French, American, etc...this is something unusual which it can happen only once in a life, BUT NOT MORE THAN ONCE (I capitalized that!)

That 2nd class sleeper is very similar to China's "soft sleepers". 4 beds per room, with a door, and no dedicated toilet for each room. But CR's train do provide outlets for each soft sleeper's room.

5:34 WOW! level boarding!

the 2000s architecture in post-Soviet countries is remarkably tasteless... I just cannot. On the other hand, I am obsessed with the Ammendorf carriages. Also, Astana has been renamed 5 times since 1991 - Tselinograd to Akmola (also the city's original colonial name under the Russian Empire), to Astana, to Nur-Sultan, and, finally, back to Astana. But, the Oblast is still Akmola Oblast? Why is this the universal trend in post-Soviet state, there is no Leningrad but Leningrad Oblast is still around. Kirovohrad is no longer around, but Kirovohradska Oblast is still here.

these are not Soviet cars, these are the cars of the GDR Amersdorf, I still adore them!)))

Would love to see a video on the new Talgo train!

"sit back and stare at the emptyness". As a Leicester fan I am used to this.

the toilet works on a gravity system, it's a classic

If the older carriages are from the 1980s then they're probably about the same age as the rakes on the GWR Night Riviera, just without the refurbishment.

Splendid and super interesting Video, thank you !

Nicely done ✅

This train even looks better than the RegioJet train I took in central Europe.

There is no Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan. Now it's ASTANA

They should revisionise an repair those Soviet style locomotive its still shows the history behind it

Excellent video!!! Thanks !!!

Wow. In America a 800 mile rail journey would be 20 times that price.

Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world!

Cool! You had a job as a conductor for a few hours, that could be fun.

This is cool

14:37 ASAK: Assigned Staff at Kazakstan

I used to travel on those, really homey.

A packed bus means traveling like locals, sharing a train compartment means travelling like the locals. Complaining about paying a bribe is exclusive for British who are willing to pay a local monthly salery for a trip like that.

I would like to see more of Kazakhstan's rail system, the landscape & the stations. I am curious: next to the rail station you referred to as a "shack" were two small structures - the smaller looking very much like a rural American outhouse. Was it?

6:00 Not Shinak and Shyganak

introvert nightmare, when people think im some kind of service person and start talking to me

Fun fact: the carriage on the thumbnail was actually made in Ukraine, somewhere between 2011 and 2013

i traveled in a exactly similar night train in belarus from vietebsk to minsk