Chinese Rail Transport Appreciation & News

Mechanic Dang Zichun maintains a bullet train at an electric multiple unit (EMU) maintenance center in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. Spring Festival, marking the beginning of a new year in the Chinese lunar calendar, is characterized by mass family reunions and a surge in travel.

To ensure safe, smooth and convenient travel for passengers during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush, a large number of railway staff work with their utmost efforts to prepare for this busy period of the year. This year's Spring Festival travel rush will start on Jan. 14. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)




Vehicle fitter Zhang Mingmin inputs serial numbers, model types, manufacture dates and other information for bearings at the wheel and axle workshop under China Railway Taiyuan Group Co., Ltd. in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025.(Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)



Railway staff member Wu Yunlong conducts sewage suction at Taiyuan South Railway Station in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)



Security staff members check passengers' belongings at Yanggao South Railway Station in Yanggao County of Datong City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)



Vehicle fitter Li Weiping checks the axle at the wheel and axle workshop under China Railway Taiyuan Group Co., Ltd. in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)



A laundry worker arranges washed bedding at a washing and catering center under China Railway Taiyuan Group Co., Ltd. in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

High-speed train drivers Ma Xiaodong (L) and Yang Tianyu check the facilities inside a bullet train at an electric multiple unit (EMU) maintenance center in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2025. Spring Festival, marking the beginning of a new year in the Chinese lunar calendar, is characterized by mass family reunions and a surge in travel.

To ensure safe, smooth and convenient travel for passengers during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush, a large number of railway staff work with their utmost efforts to prepare for this busy period of the year. This year's Spring Festival travel rush will start on Jan. 14. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)



Mechanic Liu Shu checks the facilities inside a bullet train at an electric multiple unit (EMU) maintenance center in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)



Staff members pack the meal at a washing and catering center under China Railway Taiyuan Group Co., Ltd. in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025.(Xinhua/Zhan Yan)



Mechanic Li Zhenhe maintains a bullet train at an electric multiple unit (EMU) maintenance center in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)



Maintenance workers carry out railway maintenance operations in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Liu Liangliang/Xinhua)


Railway staff memer Ma Guowei carries out de-icing operation in a tunnel of Lyuliang Mountain in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Liu Liangliang/Xinhua)



Crane operator Wang Shujie walk upstairs at a maintenance center under China Railway Taiyuan Group Co., Ltd. in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)



Crane operator Wang Mengyuan works on an overhead traveling crane at a maintenance center in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Shunting driver Zhao Jie directs shunting operations at Yuncheng Railway Station in Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 11, 2025. Spring Festival, marking the beginning of a new year in the Chinese lunar calendar, is characterized by mass family reunions and a surge in travel.

To ensure safe, smooth and convenient travel for passengers during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush, a large number of railway staff work with their utmost efforts to prepare for this busy period of the year. This year's Spring Festival travel rush will start on Jan. 14. (Xinhua)



Shunting driver Zhao Jie works at Yuncheng Railway Station in Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 11, 2025. (Xinhua)



Deliveryman Shi Yujie walks towards the platform to deliver food at Taiyuan South Railway Station in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)



Mechanic Jiang Dekuo maintains a bullet train at an electric multiple unit (EMU) maintenance center in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)



Railway staff member Zhang Lingbo assists passengers to check in at Lyuliang Railway Station in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo by Liu Liangliang/Xinhua)



Maintenance worker Liang Xiaogang (R) carries out railway maintenance operation in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Liu Liangliang/Xinhua)

On January 10th, the world's first carbon fiber subway train – called the Cetrovo 1.0 Carbon Star Rapid Rail – took to the tracks for the very first time in Qingdao, China. It promises to be stronger, safer, and produce less harmful emissions than traditional trains. (All Photos: China News Service/Zhang Gangjin)

A collaboration between Qingdao Metro Group and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd. took the idea of making a train out of CF composites, and turned it into a reality.



The resulting passenger subway train is stronger and lighter than its conventional counterparts, plus its CF components are more impact-resistant and have longer structural lifespans than steel. What's more, carbon fiber excels in vibration damping and noise reduction compared to steel, enhancing ride quality and comfort for passengers.

According to the Chief Designer at CRRC Qingdao Sifan, Liu Jinzhu, the train's primary load-bearing structures are all made of CF composites, including the body and the trucks. The is the chassis that carries the wheels, axles and suspension. It's attached to the bottom of the body, carrying the entire weight of the train.

Using CF for the construction of the body led to a 25% weight reduction versus traditional steel and aluminum . The trucks, which are usually made from cast, forged, or welded steel, achieved an impressive 50% reduction in weight. Together, the use of carbon fiber composites amounted to an 11% decrease in the train's overall weight.

While 11% might not sound huge, it will reportedly decrease each train's energy consumption by about 7%, reducing emissions by roughly 130 tons per train, per year.

The Cetrovo 1.0 additionally uses an intelligent maintenance platform called SmartCare. It monitors the train's health and diagnostics in real time, reducing maintenance costs by 22%, making it more efficient, cheaper, greener, and safer.



The Cetrovo 1.0 Carbon Star Rapid Rail, gift wrapped like a Christmas present before going into service for the first time

American subway trains can achieve a similar level of weight reduction if their passengers could lose some pounds.

Actresses of ethnic minorities perform on the train No. 5640 in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. A "village gala" was held on the train No. 5640 running on the Guiyang-Yuping railway on Saturday, during which folk customs and specialty food of Miao and Dong ethnic groups were displayed for passengers along the way.

The pair of "slow trains" No. 5640 and No. 5639 run in Guizhou Province between Yuping Dong Autonomous County of Tongren City and provincial capital Guiyang City. The trains pass through several townships in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, connecting more than 100 ethnic minority villages along the route.

Temporary fairs are also held aboard the trains where passengers can purchase goods in preparation for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



Villagers wait for the train No. 5640 to sell their goods at Liugeji Railway Station in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



An drone photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows actors of ethnic minorities performing for passengers at the Kaili Railway Station in Kaili City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo by Yu Tianying/Xinhua)



A couple celebrate their 50th anniversary of marriage on the train No. 5640 in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025.
(Photo by Long Jianrui/Xinhua)



A calligrapher creates calligraphy works of Chinese character "Fu", which means "good fortune", on train No. 5640 in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



Villagers wait for the train No. 5640 to sell their goods at Liugeji Railway Station in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Villagers wait for the train No. 5640 to sell their goods at Liugeji Railway Station in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. A "village gala" was held on the train No. 5640 running on the Guiyang-Yuping railway on Saturday, during which folk customs and specialty food of Miao and Dong ethnic groups were displayed for passengers along the way.

The pair of "slow trains" No. 5640 and No. 5639 run in Guizhou Province between Yuping Dong Autonomous County of Tongren City and provincial capital Guiyang City. The trains pass through several townships in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, connecting more than 100 ethnic minority villages along the route.

Temporary fairs are also held aboard the trains where passengers can purchase goods in preparation for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



Villagers take the train No. 5640 at Liugeji Railway Station in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



A girl reads a book on train No. 5640 in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



Villagers carrying goods for sale board the train No. 5640 at Liugeji Railway Station in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



Railway workers talk(flirt!!) with villagers about the sales of their goods in Liugeji Railway Station, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)



A passenger buys vegetables on train No. 5640 in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Yu Tianying/Xinhua)

Train D8003 left the Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday for Yabuli West Station, marking the launch of the dedicated railway line for the 9th Asian Winter Games. [Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China Railway Harbin Group has formulated a designated transportation plan for the event, which will be held from Feb 7 to 14, adding six high-speed trains from Harbin to Yabuli West Station and six regular trains from Harbin to Yabuli South Station.

At the same time, the group arranged up to 51 high-speed trains stopping at Yabuli West Station, with a minimum interval of seven minutes between the trains connecting the competition areas and a travel time as short as about one hour and 2 minutes.

Additionally, to facilitate the travel for athletes, event staff and media reporters, the group has set up special ticket windows and dedicated waiting areas at designated stations such as Harbin Railway Station, Harbin West Station and Yabuli West Station.







A team of one hundred dedicated service personnel have assembled and undergone comprehensive professional training to enhance their service capabilities.

The dedicated railway line chose new high-altitude Fuxing intelligent technology-enhanced electrical units, which have made breakthroughs and improvements in intelligence and user-friendliness, providing a more comfortable travel experience.







Attendants serve passengers on Train D8003. [Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

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Pic story: dedicated watchman at "Invisible" railway station in SW China's Yunnan-
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Li Yanlin monitors the equipment at the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 21, 2025. Zhugecheng Railway Station is a small crossing station on the railway connecting Dali and Lijiang cities in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Li Yanlin, who is 50, has worked as a station watchman here for 15 years.

While the trains only stop at the station's sidetracks which pass through a mountain, the station's main building, built on the mountain slope, remain "invisible" to the general passengers. Normally, the station will only be visited by either Li or another colleague who works alternate shifts.

During the Spring Festival, there are over 60 trains passing by the station every day. For the past six Spring Festivals, when most people enjoyed the holiday, Li was always been on duty, checking and maintaining equipment, coordinating with train dispatch, and dealing with emergencies along the railway line. This year, he finally gets the chance to spend time with family members.

Working alone at this "invisible" railway station can be boring, but Li never failed to fulfil his duties. "My job is to guard the safety of passengers on their way home. And I will stick to my post until my retirement as long as it needs me, " he said. (All photos by Xinhua/Hu Chao)


Li Yanlin prepares to clean the rails and check equipment at the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 21, 2025.



Li Yanlin cleans rubbish when patrolling along the rail line near the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 21, 2025.



Li Yanlin patrols the rail line near the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 20, 2025.



Li Yanlin applies lubricant on the rails near the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 21, 2025.


Li Yanlin does exercises while watching TV at the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 20, 2025.



Li Yanlin walks past a passenger train that temporarily stops on its way when he patrols the rail line near the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 20, 2025.



Li Yanlin patrols along the rail line near the Zhugecheng Railway Station in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 20, 2025.

Photographs of the only FXD1 locomotive ever built in passenger service.