China's hi-speed railway - Symbol of toil and efficiency of the Chinese people

[below_freezing]

Chinese trains are developed in close colaboration with Japanese, US and EU train makers. So in essence they are a mix of various tech and because Chinese funded the development they have the right to resell which they can at what ever price they wish, even cheaper for competition sake. That does not make them copies.

I think trains are gaining momentum for both passenger and cargo around Asia and middle-east due to rising security cost of airways and heavy initial investment.

China is building rail network to connect sevral Asian and central asian countries. Pak-Turk-Iran rail line is soon to expand in europe making it trans-continental.

There is no US involvement in our trains. Their own trains can barely run. US has no experience in high speed rail. German and Japanese high speed rail are slower than Chinese ones. There was no spectacular, out of the ordinary collaboration, and there's no need for that, unlike some feudal monarchies that can't build a bicycle without significant help.

 

[CardSharp]

There is no US involvement in our trains. Their own trains can barely run. US has no experience in high speed rail. German and Japanese high speed rail are slower than Chinese ones. There was no spectacular, out of the ordinary collaboration, and there's no need for that, unlike some feudal monarchies that can't build a bicycle without significant help.

lol nicely quipped sir.

 

[Martian2]

Changping line of Beijing's rail system starts test run (4) - People's Daily Online

Changping line of Beijing's rail system starts test run
09:39, September 20, 2010

An urban rail train gets ready to set out from Shahe Station at the newly-built Changping line in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 19, 2010. The line's first seven stations will be put into service at the end of 2010. The line will use a new type of urban rail train with a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour. It is the fastest urban rail train, which is produced by China South Locomotive, in Beijing's transportation system.

Guests of honor and journalists examine the train at Shahe Station for the newly-built Changping line in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 19, 2010.

The Changping line of Beijing's rail transportation system, which links the central urban area and Changping District of Beijing, started a load-free test run on Sunday.

 

[greenlion]

Hmm, since China has the technology why bother giving the work to Bombadier? Aren't domestically built ones more cheaper?

News articles states that China exporting its HS trains overseas are complete copies of other countries, but China states that they have improved on the technology.

No offence but does someone knows what are the improvements? As I do note that China had secure 940 patents regarding its HS trains. What are the patents?

Thanks

I'd rather say China "Modified" foreign trains than "cpoy" them, because most of the CHinese trains are better designed than their prototype.

for example, let's take a look at the CRH1 series

The CRH1 electric multiple units is based on Bombardier technology and built by a Chinese-Canadian joint venture Bombardier Sifang Power Transportation (BST) factory in Qingdao.

The major technology of CRH1A & CRH1B was imported from Sweden, The original CRH1 train set in Sweden is called REGINA, it is the two-car or three-car commuter train set for inner-city link operations with top speed 200km/h. while CRH1A (8 cars/train 250km/h) & CRH1B (16cars/train 250km/h) is the first train set that combined with the metro train technologies in China, such as the train body design was inspired by the metro trains. And the train set is also designed for high-frequency-running operations.

a two-car Regina in sweden

a CRH1A in China

CRH1E-Zefiro 250 is actually a special design for China, it's the world’s fastest sleeper,

CRH380B-Zeriro 380 is also a special design for China.

 

[Martian2]

High-speed rail linking central, western China starts operation - People's Daily Online

"High-speed rail linking central and western China starts operation
10:19, February 07, 2010

With a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the high-speed Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train coded G2004 is about to leave Xi'an for Zhengzhou from Xi'an Railway Station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Feb. 6, 2010. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

A high-speed railway linking central China city Zhengzhou and northwestern city Xi'an, went into operation Saturday.

The 505-km Zhengzhou-Xi'an high-speed railway, the first of its kind in central and western China, cuts the travel time between the two cities from formerly more than six hours to less than two hours, said local railway authorities Saturday.

The first train left Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, at 10:50 a.m. and arrived at Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, at 1:15 p.m., said Long Jing, head of the Xi'an Railway Bureau.

The train traveled at 350 kilometers per hour, said Long. A total of 14 trains would be traveling between Zhengzhou and Xi'an everyday, said Long.

The first train from Zhengzhou to Xi'an departed from Zhengzhou at 11:25 a.m. and arrived at Xi'an at 2:01 p.m., said Niu Jianfeng, spokesman of the Zhengzhou Railway Bureau.

With a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, a high-speed Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train is being tested en route from Xi'an to Zhengzhou, in Tongguan, northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Feb. 4, 2010. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

The Zhengzhou-Xi'an high-speed railway, included in the country's "Mid- and long-term railway network plan", has been built since Sept. 25, 2005, with a total investment of about 35.31 billion yuan (5.17 billion U.S. dollars), said Niu.

"The Zhengzhou-Xi'an high-speed railway will meet the growing demand of of passenger and cargo transportation in central and western China, and help promote local development," said Wang Yongping, spokesman of the Ministry of Railways.

Henan is one of the major grain producers of China and an emerging economic and industrial powerhouse. This most populous province in China is also a major tourist attraction with a great number of sites of historical and cultural interests. Shaanxi boasts rich cultural resources and is endowed with rich natural resources such as coal, petroluem, and natural gas.

Passengers ride in the high-speed Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train coded G2003 heading to Xi'an from Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, on Feb. 6, 2010. The first high-speed passenger railway in western China, which links Xi'an with Zhengzhou, started operation on Saturday morning. The 505-km line will help shorten the travel time between the two major cities to less than two hours from the current six hours. (Xinhua/Zhu Xiang)

The country's total railway coverage will be more than 110,000 kilometers by 2012 and 120,000 kilometers by 2020, according to the "Mid- and long-term railway network plan".

"By 2012, it will take less than eight hours to travel by train from Beijing to most provincial capitals in China," said Long.

Source: Xinhua"


For your information, in addition to the new high-speed rail, Zhengzhou also has new highways.

Zhengzhou Transportation: Flights, Train, Bus to/from Zhengzhou, China Highlights

Zhengzhou's new highway

 

[greenlion]

Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail launches 'bus transportation' model

17:14, September 19, 2010

Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail will officially launch its "bus transportation" model starting on Sept. 20, will increase its open-line density, expand its daily lines to 140, and plans to increase lines to 160 during peak periods. Guest capacity will exceed 9 million per day. All adjusted lines will be routed through Changsha station.

According to the report, the adjusted Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail will arrange its lines by three kinds of conditions, daily, weekend and peak periods, which include "Golden Weeks," Half-day holidays, vacation, etc. The Golden Weeks are National Day holiday and Spring Festival seven days. There will be 140 lines open on the weekday, 150 lines on weekends.

Adjusted high-speed rail from Guangzhou to Changsha will have departures on the average every 11 minutes, and the shortest interval will be 5 minutes. Train from Gunagzhou to Wuhan departures on the average every 15 minutes. Basically implement the "bus transportation" model. During Asian Games, audience from Hunan, Hubei provinces could carry out a "Day Trip."

Since it opened, the daily ridership has been 33,000 passengers, compared to the daily 42,000 passengers during Chinese Lunar New Year. Since July 1, daily ridership equaled 56,000 passengers after adjustment.

As Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed rail becomes more and more important, there has been rapid tourism development along the rail. For example, Hengshan of Hunan Province saw an average of 30 percent growth in city tourism revenues.

According to the Guangzhou Railway Group, the adjustment is not only to meet the needs of passengers, also for the transportation service requirement during Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day Holiday and Asian Games, and to meet the strong demand of the local government and local tourism industry.

trains on service at Wuguang PDL during peak periods

section               trains/day       trains/day
                     (New timetable) (Previous timetable)
Wuhan-Guangzhou          52            50 
Guangzhou-Wuhan          52            50
Changsha-Guangzhou       28            13   
Guangzhou-Changsha       28            13

 

[Martian2]

There are three different types of rail construction occurring in China.

1. The most prestigious and expensive are the eye-catching 350 km/h inter-city high-speed rail (i.e HSR).

2. Next, China is building above-ground urban rail in her major cities. This is exemplified by the Beijing urban rail (e.g. Changping line that is currently undergoing trial runs; maximum speed of 100 km/h).

3. Finally, China is building subways under her major cities to expedite the intra-city transportation of passengers. The following map shows the existing, currently-under-construction, and planned "light rail and subway systems" for China's major cities.

Subway line set to open in Northeast China

Subway line set to open in Northeast China
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-09-20 13:08

Shenyang, the capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, will open its first subway line in October. Final technical tests and adjustments are now underway. The Subway Line 1, consisting of 22 stops with a total distance of 28 kilometers, will be an east-west subway; stretching from Shenyang Economic Technology Development Zone to Liming Square. The Shenyang subway line will be the first underground line in China's northeast area. [Photo/Xinhua]

The automatic ticket-selling machines of Subway Line 1 in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province, on Sept 20, 2010. The subway line is expected to open in early October. [Photo/Xinhua]

The automatic entrance gates of Subway Line 1 in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province, on Sept 20, 2010. Line 1 is expected to open in early October. [Photo/Xinhua]

[Note: Thank you to "zoom" for the newslink.]

 

[Brotherhood]

Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway put into operation - People's Daily OnlineSeptember 20, 2010

A railway staff member stands beside a train waiting to leave the Jiujiang Railway Station in Jiujiang, a city in east China's Jiangxi Province, for Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi, on Sept. 20, 2010. The 135-kilometer Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway was put into operation on Monday. The trains' possible highest speed stands at 180 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Hu Guolin)

A train runs on the high-speed railway linking Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, with Jiujiang, a city also in Jiangxi, Sept. 20, 2010. The 135-kilometer Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway was put into operation on Monday. The trains' possible highest speed stands at 180 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Hu Guolin)

 

[Martian2]

On the [other hand], if one wanted the very best and latest on offer, [wouldn't] the European [train makers] be better?. After all they've got a train that can reach a speed of 580kph. [That's] pretty much the cruising speed of most airlines, and if they can [tweak] it a bit more for speed, one could possibly get from SF to LA faster than a plane, from doorstep to doorstep.

China has the world's best proven technology for high-speed-rail (i.e. HSR) trains at the current world-record of 350 km per hour (see BBC news article below). China is also in the process of deploying her latest and even faster 380A trains that travel at 380 km per hour.

Your claim of 580 kph trains is not suitable for commercial use and therefore irrelevant in a comparison to commercially-operated HSR trains (see Wikipedia article below).

I remember watching a test of a specially-modified train for a super-speed test. One trick is to remove as much weight as possible (e.g. remove all seats, tables, handle bars, anything that is not bolted down and necessary, etc.) and also substitute with lighter materials (e.g. replace anything that is steel with aluminum if possible) beyond what is safely acceptable to commercial regulators.

Another trick is to install extra engines or batteries to generate far greater power. Once again, this is almost unacceptable in commercial use. There would be insufficient room to carry passengers.

A third trick/consequence is the replacement of the oil and wheels after the test. Neither the engine oil nor wheels were designed to handle excessive speeds. It is not practical to change the oil, wheels, and other parts after a short run of 580 kph. Commercial trains have to run multiple times a day and for long distances to carry passengers from city to city.

In conclusion, a publicity stunt for a 580 kph "specially-modified" train on a short-segment of rail is completely useless and unrelated to commercial HSR trains, which California is seeking.

BBC News - World's fastest train unveiled in China

"World's fastest train unveiled in China
Page last updated at 17:46 GMT, Thursday, 10 December 2009

As China's economy and population expand, so do its transport needs. Although car ownership is on the increase, the Government is investing more in the railways.

China now has the fastest train in the world. It runs from the central city of Wuhan down to the south coast, at a speed of more than 380km/h.

Jenny Wivell reports."

High-speed rail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"A one time specially modified system and trainset record (see land speed record for railed vehicles) was set by the manned TGV's 574.8 km/h run. This run was for proof of concept and not for normal passenger service.
...
The maximum speed an unmodified train is capable of running was set by the non-wheeled 581 km/h JR-Maglev MLX01 run in 2003. However, even this is not necessarily suitable for passenger operation as there can be concerns such as noise, cost, deceleration time in an emergency, etc.

The Shanghai Maglev Train reaches 431 km/h during its daily service between Longyang Road and Pudong International Airport, holds the speed record of any commercial train services. Besides maglev, the fastest maximum operating speed (MOR) of any segment of any high speed rail line is currently 350 km/h (217 mph), a record held by multiple lines in China, first achieved by the Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Rail in August 2008. The trains have shown an unmodified capability of running 394 km/h in tests, and thus have been set to run 350 km/h in normal operation.[17]"

 

[Martian2]

China offers the best tech and best chance for California to make a profit from this investment.
But given the anti-Chinese political atmosphere in US now, won't they deport the Terminator back to Austria if he dares to choose China ?

China has the best technology because she invested billions of dollars into HSR research and development. China is $2.4 trillion-dollar cash-rich in forex reserves and can offer financing on attractive terms. The real negotiations will center around the number of American jobs and manufacturing facilities that China is willing to commit on this project.

We have seen this Sino-American dance on a prior occasion. The article shown below is a likely outcome of the Sino-American negotiations for 380 km per hour Chinese 380A HSR in America.

China Wind Turbine Manufacturing Facility on USA Soil | Wind4Me

"China Wind Turbine Manufacturing Facility on USA Soil
Author: skibare

16 Aug

in the GREEN Double Dip Recession, the WORLD is after JOBS, JOBS, and more JOBS! Harry Reid has the chance to land a 1000 new workers in Wind Energy to Las Vegas and given that Harry REID can and will STAND UP and SPEAK LOUDLY to President Obama ((no Mosque on Ground Zero)) , lets let Harry bring Vegas some 1000 wind jobs!!

The U.S. Renewable Energy Group and A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. Launch Final Development Phase of Jointly Owned 600 MW Wind Farm

Wednesday, April 28 2010

Las Vegas, NV – The U.S. Renewable Energy Group (US-REG) and A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. (NASDAQ: APWR) today celebrated the launch of the final development phase of its jointly owned 600MW wind farm with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism in Las Vegas, NV.

In October of last year, US-REG, in partnership with A-Power and Cielo Wind Power, announced the largest-ever Chinese and American joint investment in renewable energy with the construction of a 600 megawatt wind farm in Texas. In part as a result of that project, A-Power set forth plans to build a major wind turbine production and assembly plant in Nevada. American Nevada Company executives were also in attendance at the celebration with respect to the planning for the proposed Nevada facility.

Major executives and public officials participating in the ceremony hosted by US-REG Managing Partner Cappy McGarr included U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Party Secretary Zeng of the People’s Municipal Government of Shenyang, Vice Mayor Yang Yazhou of the People’s Municipal Government of Shenyang, Chief of Staff to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, David Krone, US-REG Managing Partner Ed Cunningham, A-Power Chief Operating Officer John Lin, Cielo Wind Power CEO Walt Hornaday, and American Nevada Company Chairman Brian Greenspun.

“Secretary Salazar is a leader in the development of America’s renewable energy industry, and we are grateful to have his support as we embark on one of the largest wind energy projects ever developed in the United States. We are inspired by Secretary Salazar’s dedication to steering our nation toward a new energy economy that will create thousands of jobs and improve America’s energy security,” said Cappy McGarr, US-REG Managing Partner. “Each of the executives and public officials here today share the common goal of creating a clean energy future for the people they represent. China and the U.S. must and will work together to tackle the issues facing future generations.”

The planned assembly and production facility would be expected to employ approximately 1,000 Nevada workers and create hundreds of additional jobs during construction. On completion, the plant would act as A-Power’s primary wind turbine hub in the United States, supplying equipment for a number of projects in North and South America, including the 600 megawatt joint venture wind project in Texas that will bring clean electricity to approximately 180,000 American families.

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was instrumental in advocating for the state of Nevada and its renewable energy workforce,” said Ed Cunningham, US-REG Managing Partner. “Leader Reid’s strong commitment to clean, renewable energy has put Nevada at the forefront of America’s renewable energy sector, and the strength and sophistication of its renewable energy workforce made Nevada the ideal location to construct the wind energy production and assembly plant."

 

[greenlion]

Central China's initial network of high-speed railways formed

Central China's initial network of high-speed railways formed - People's Daily Online

15:04, September 21, 2010

The high-speed train D6342 from left from China's Nanchang on Monday morning, marking the formal start of operations for central China's first intercity high-speed railway.

From Jiangxi’s Nanchang to Jiujiang, the Changjiu high-speed railway connects to the north with Jiangguang railway, which runs from Beijing to Guangzhou, and Wuguang high-speed railway, from Wuhan to Guangzhou. To the south, it connects with Jingjiu railway, or the Beijing-Jiujiang-Kowloon Railway, and Hukun railway, which runs from Shanghai to Kunming. It will be one of the most important parts of central China's high-speed railway network.

Jiangxi has its first real high-speed railway

With its dense population, the plain in north Jiangxi has the highest level of urbanization and most robust economic growth in Jiangxi Province. Although there are several railways in central China, such as Jingjiu railway, Hukun railway, Wangan railway, Wujiu railway and Yingxia railway, the railway network and the line structures still need improvement.

Jingjiu railway and Hukun railway can only meet 35 percent of the traffic. In particular, from Nanchang to Jiujiang, part of Jingjiu line has become one of the China's most intense and busy routes.

Changjiu inter-city railway connects with Wujiu railway at the Lusha station to the north. Therefore, it can connect with Jingguang railway and Wuguang high-speed rail. It connects with Jingjiu at the Lehua station and then it can connect with Hukung railway.

It is of great significance that the operation of Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway can effectively alleviate the pressure of Jingjiu railway as well as enhance the transport capability, the deputy director of Nanchang Railway Bureau Dai Pingfeng said.

To be the first high-speed railway in Jiangxi, Changjiu railway required an accumulated investment of 5.8 billion yuan and has a total length of 135 kilometers. It is designed to reach a speed of 250 kilometers per hour and shorten the time from Nanchang to Jiujiang and from Nanchang to Wuchang to 45 minutes and 2.5 hours respectively.

Blueprint of central "golden triangle" composed of Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan revealed

Currently, it only takes 2.5 hours from Nanchang to Wuhan, and then it will take 1.5 hours to Changsha. A picture of a central "golden triangle" composed of Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan is coming into focus.

The Changjiu intercity high-speed railway routes through the core area of economic and ecological zones in Poyang Lake regions and China's famous places of historical interest Lushan Mountain, Prince Teng Pavilion, Yellow Crane Tower and Yueyang Pavilion. And just because of its operation, the above places might become the new most popular tourist destinations.

And Nanchang Railway Bureau has already started to do R&D for the tourism resources and service.

Shielding effect should be alert to

According to the operation model, the Changjiu railway will use high-speed trains and normal trains at simultaneously with 17 EMUs (eclectic motor train units) from Nanchang to Jiujiang, 17 EMUs from Nanchang to Wuhan.
　
Dai Pingfeng believed that the comparative advantage of high-speed rail will bring some pressure on other modes of transportation, but it will also stimulate the growth of passenger demand.

"It will greatly stimulate the tourist flows and bring the overall increase in passenger traffic," said Dai.

　As of now, the operational mileage of high-speed railways has reached 640 kilometers in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, which have railways managed by the Nanchang Railway Bureau, For the cities nearby, the high-speed railways not only brings more passengers, but also unlimited opportunities for development.

By Zhao Chenyan, People's Daily Online

related railways

ICL - Inter-city lines
UCL - Upgraded convention lines

line           section              length       designed speed
Changjiu ICL   Nanchang-Jiujiang     135km          250km/h
Wujiu UCL      Wuchang-Jiujiang      243km          200km/h

CRH Operating infomation

Start-Stop            lenth      fastest Average        trains/day
                                 Operating Speed
Nanchang-Jiujiang     135km         180km/h                9
Jiujiang-Nanchang     135km         180km/h                9
Wuchang-Nanchang      388km       155.2km/h                8 
Nanchang-Wuchang      388km       155.2km/h                8

 

[greenlion]

Dacheng PFL open for CRH service

september 20, the Dacheng PFL opened with CRH service in the Dazhou-Chengdu section,that means the whole line are now come into service as a high speed rail. before that, CRH service opened at the Chengdu-Suining section as part of the Chengdu-Chongqing CRG service was opened in last year

a CRH1A at Dazhou Station

related railways

PFL - Mixed passenger & freight HSR line
UCL - Upgraded convention lines

line           section              length       designed speed
Dacheng ICL    Dazhou-Chengdu        374km          200km/h
Suiyu UCL      Suining-Chongqing     165km          160km/h

CRH Operating infomation

Start-Stop            lenth      fastest Average        trains/day
                                 Operating Speed
Chongqing-Chengdu     315km      160.17km/h                10
Chengdu-Chongqing     315km      160.17km/h                10
Dazhou-Chengdu        374km      159.15km/h                5 
Chengdu-Dazhou        374km      159.15km/h                5

 

[gpit]

"Communist" China bashers world-wide really need to open their freeking eyes to see how the country progresses.

China so far has a nice mix of democracy, socialism, authoritarianism, communism, and capitalism, and combines them with Chinese tradition into inventing a Chinaisim.

Yes, Chinaism!

BTW, happy mid-autumn festival to all, and moon cakes to all!

 

[Martian2]

Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway put into operation

Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway put into operation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-21 10:22

A train travels on the high-speed railway linking Nanchang, capital of East China's Jiangxi province, with Jiujiang, a city also in Jiangxi, on Sept. 20, 2010. The train's maximum speed is 180 kilometers per hour. [Photo/Xinhua]

A railway staff member stands beside a train waiting to leave the Jiujiang Railway Station in Jiujiang, a city in East China's Jiangxi province, for Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi, on Sept. 20, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 135-kilometer Nanchang-Jiujiang intercity high-speed railway was put into operation on Sept. 20, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

[Note: These are higher-resolution pictures of Brotherhood's earlier post. I thought you might enjoy them.]

 

[gzz]

woo, yes, though there's still some problems, we see these mucle everyday.
Here's some pics I took the high speed train from Tianjin to Beijing in 2009.3, the highest speed reached 335km/h, I got a video took by my cellphone. I'll see if I can post it on the forum.