Chongqing - China has begun a major overhaul of its largest railway marshalling yard in the southwest, launching a large-scale maintenance campaign in Chongqing as cross-border rail freight continues to grow.

The upgrade at Xinglongchang station started on January 11 and will mobilise workers to modernise tracks, power supply, and signalling systems across dozens of planned maintenance windows.

Covering more than 5,200 mu (about 856 acres), Xinglongchang is the largest marshalling yard in southwest China and a key origin and consolidation hub for China–Europe and China–Central Asia freight trains operating via Chongqing. It is also a critical railway node linking the Belt and Road Initiative with the Yangtze River Economic Belt, playing a central role in international freight train organisation, cargo reclassification, and regional logistics distribution.

Over 2,000 workers from Chongqing’s power supply, track maintenance, and signalling teams have been deployed to inspect and upgrade key railway systems. (Photo/Huang Zhiling)

Data shows that rail freight volumes through Chongqing have risen sharply in recent years. Since the unified China–Europe Railway Express (Chengdu–Chongqing) brand was launched in 2021, more than 26,000 trains have been operated, among the highest totals nationwide. The network now connects 118 cities in 39 countries across Asia and Europe through more than 50 routes, making it one of China’s most stable and heavily utilised China–Europe rail brands.

Strong growth has also been recorded along the New International Land–Sea Trade Corridor. In 2025, Chongqing transported 327,700 TEUs of cargo through three major transport modes along the corridor, representing a year-on-year increase of 30%.

However, the growing intensity of both domestic and international freight services has placed increasing strain on railway infrastructure. Rail authorities say prolonged high-frequency operations have led to varying degrees of wear on tracks and equipment, making the current maintenance campaign essential. 

To support the overhaul, more than 2,000 workers from the Chongqing power supply, track maintenance, and signalling departments have been deployed to carry out comprehensive inspections and upgrades of key systems, including power lines, track foundations, and signalling facilities.

For example, track maintenance crews are using heavy machinery, including large tamping machines, to replace 48 kilometres of rails. Meanwhile, the signalling department is overhauling 181 sets of switches, replacing 116 signal lighting units, testing insulation on 357 track circuits, and upgrading hump yard equipment such as brake rails and retarder braking clamps used in train sorting operations.

The maintenance programme is scheduled to continue until mid-March. Once completed, the upgrades will significantly enhance the safety and reliability of Xinglongchang's infrastructure, providing stronger support for the stable, high-efficiency operation of China Railway Express and New International Land–Sea Trade Corridor.