A train designed to run at a speed of 200 km per hour left China s Beijing for Harbin in the morning on April 18, ushering in a high-speed era for the world s fastest growing economy.
Numbered D25, the train left Beijing at 7:20 a.m. and is expected to arrive in Harbin about 8 hours later. The train was made by CNR Changchun Railway Vehicle Co., Ltd.
Nationwide, 140 pairs of high-speed trains with a speed of 200 km per hour or a faster speed will begin to hit the railways on April 18. The number will increase to 257 by the end of this year.
April 18 marks the beginning of the sixth "speed boost" of Chinese railways, which has been hard-pressed to cope with the country s hunger for bigger transport capacity.
CNR play a pioneer in the 6th large speedup of the national railway, not only supply 200 km/h emus but also electric locomotives with high tractive power capable of drawing more than 5,000 tons with a single locomotive. They are made by CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. and CNR Beijing February 7th Locomotive Works Co., Ltd.
The soft-seat train can carry up to 1,200 passengers and with distributed power, which allow them to reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.
While passengers needed to use a small ladder to get onto old trains, the new bullet trains are built to the same level as railway platforms, making it easier and safer to get on and off.
Both ends of the train are tapered like a bullet, and the inside is less spacious than previous trains.
At present, all bullet trains are equipped with soft chairs, but no sleepers.
Seats are laid in rows, all facing the same direction, and the aisle is noticeably narrower than regular trains.
The trains are also equipped with restaurants and bars, and have Internet access.
All of the windows on the trains are equipped with special glass, which allows passengers to enjoy a clear view of the outside.
