The Russian mining and metallurgical group Mechel reported that a contract was signed between its subsidiary Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant (ChMK) and JSC Russian Railways for the supply of railway products in 2026 with a total volume of more than 174 thousand tons.
Product volume and technical characteristics
According to Mechel, in The supply range includes differentially heat-strengthened railway rails manufactured in lengths of 25 meters and 100 meters. These rails are intended for use on sections of railways with heavy traffic, mountain passes, as well as on high-speed and mixed lines. The products will be supplied for both sectional rail tracks and continuous welded rail tracks, with rails welded into columns of 800 meters or more in length.
Mechel said a significant portion of the contract volumes will be shipped to turnout manufacturing plants, where they will be used to produce railway turnouts. The company indicated that OR65 turnouts are particularly in demand at these plants. In January 2026, ChMK received an updated certificate of conformity for OR65 rails.
Production and shipment of the first batches of railway products have already begun, Mechel reports.
New types of rails for high-speed lines
Mechel also announced plans to introduce new types of rail products with increased performance characteristics, developed taking into account the specific technical requirements of Russian Railways as a key customer.
