Latest news!

The CR450 EMU, known as “the world’s fastest high-speed rail”

Conducting application assessment on the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chongqing High-speed Railway

In 2021, the CR450 technological innovation project, one of the 102 major projects in the “14th Five-Year Plan”, was launched. At the end of last year, the CR450 EMU prototype was released, and multiple tests at different speeds and scenarios have been completed. During the test, the CR450 EMU set the latest record of a single train speed of 453 kilometers per hour and a relative rendezvous speed of 896 kilometers per hour.

CCTV reporter Zheng Liankai: Behind me is the CR450 EMU that is undergoing operational review. What is “application assessment”? In layman’s terms, it means “brushing mileage.” Since the prototype rolled off the assembly line at the end of last year, it has been undergoing various compliance tests. After rounds of weekly, monthly, and mid-term exams, it has handed in the answer sheet for a speed of 450 kilometers per hour. All indicators have passed, but the test must continue, because according to technical requirements, the CR450 must run 600,000 kilometers under the premise of passing the indicators before it can carry passengers. This nearly 300-kilometer high-speed rail line starts from Yichang North Station where we are now and ends at Jingmen, Hanchuan and other stations.

This is also the first time we have had close contact with a CR450 EMU in operation. In previous tests, it was a pity that we did not have the opportunity to live broadcast on the train, because according to the regulations of the National Railway Administration, the train must obtain a passenger license before non-professionals other than technical personnel can be allowed to board the train. The champion is always lonely, and today we can only observe from the side of the examination room.

So why can the CR450 EMU run so fast? From such a spectator’s perspective, I saw some clues.

First of all, the front of the train is longer. The current EMU with a speed of 350 kilometers per hour is 12.5 meters long. It is extended to 15 meters. The front of the car is pointier and thinner, with less resistance. The bogies are fully covered and the skirts at the bottom of the cabin are lowered. There is less exposed part of the wheels, unlike the sports cars we usually see, the wheels are almost invisible. Sure enough, the lower the chassis, the faster it runs. In addition, its height is reduced by 20 centimeters and its weight is reduced by 50 tons. In the past five years, R&D personnel have continued to improve bit by bit with a drag reduction rate of 0.1% for the smallest unit, ultimately reducing the resistance of the entire train by 22%.

Now we see that the CR450 EMU is departing from Yichang North Station, and the train is leaving the platform. I want to tell you a set of numbers: from starting to speeding up to 350 kilometers per hour, it only takes 4 minutes and 40 seconds, while the Fuxing EMU that was running at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour took 6 minutes and 20 seconds. This speed-up cycle is shortened by 100 seconds.

I believe you all want to know, when and on which line can you take such a train? In this regard, the relevant person in charge of the China Academy of Railway Sciences said in an interview with us that there is no specific information yet, but she also revealed that a comprehensive test closer to operating conditions will be carried out on the Chengdu-Chongqing Middle Line next year. We also look forward to the opening year of the “15th Five-Year Plan”, CR450 can bring you more good news.