Chongqing- On April 24, the railway authority said that a new-generation Fuxing high-speed train that China independently developed could run at more than 400 km/h, setting a new world record. The section from the station to Wushan Railway Station of the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway officially entered trial operation on April 22.
The world-leading new Fuxing high-speed train that China independently developed could run at more than 400 km/h. (iChongqing file photo)
World record
"This train, as a new technology verification platform for high-speed electric multiple units (EMU), was operated in the tests for the CR450 EMU. On April 12, it successfully reached a single-train speed of 403 km/h and a world record-breaking relative crossing speed of 806 km/h in a tunnel on the Badong-Wanzhou section of the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway. On April 21, it reached a single-train speed of 435 km/h and a world record-breaking relative crossing speed of 870 km/h on an open track of the Puyang-Zhengzhou section Jinan-Zhengzhou High-speed Railway," said a railway official.
The new Fuxing test train has utilized nine up-to-date technologies independently developed by China, including an eddy current brake, carbon-ceramic brake disc, permanent magnet traction system, and active control pantograph. It consists of four motor cars and four trailers to enhance safety, reliability, efficiency, and economy. With the globally leading overall performance, the train has filled many technological gaps for China.
Since April this year, the new Fuxing high-speed train has conducted more than 60 scientific tests on the dynamics, aerodynamics, resistance, and noise under high-speed operation and crossing conditions on an open track and in a tunnel.
The new Fuxing high-speed train runs on the Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway. (iChongqing file photo)
For the first time in the world, the train successfully ran at a single-train speed of 435 km/h and a relative speed of 870 km/h when crossing on an open track and a single-train speed of 403 km/h and a relative speed of 806 km/h when traveling in a tunnel. It has helped collect the characteristic data of an EMU train and high-speed railway infrastructures such as subgrade and tunnels under different working conditions and explore the parameter of safety and comfort along with speed increase.
The test run has verified the performance of new technical equipment and explored the boundary conditions for EMU operation at higher speeds. Moreover, it has further enriched China's high-speed railways' fundamental theoretical research and engineering practice and consolidated China's leading position in the world.
Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway runs in Henan, Hubei, and Chongqing. Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province, is known as the "heart of China's railway network." Zhengzhou East Railway Station is one of China's most extensive high-speed railway stations.
Zhengzhou-Chongqing High-speed Railway, with a design speed of 350 km/h, is an essential part of the Yangtze River corridor and Hohhot-Nanning corridor in China's "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed railway network. The railway opening will promote closer ties among the city cluster in central Henan Province, Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It is of great significance to ushering in large-scale development in China's western region, contributing to the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, and boosting the high-quality growth of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.