Beijing has unveiled the prototype of China’s next generation high-speed train- CR450. The vehicle on track is said to be the world’s fastest on track. The prototype was revealed in Beijing on December 29, 2024. It reached to test speeds up to 450 kilometers (281 miles) per hour and the operational speed of 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour, as reported by China’s Ministry of Transport. This makes China an undisputed global leader in railway development and advancement, taking over all the existing models.
China’s CR400, the current model runs at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour. It debuted on tracks in 2017, becoming the fastest in the world. When CR450 will be in commercial service, it will surpass CR400 to be the fastest high speed train on the globe. For being in commercial operation, the CR450 underwent through more than 3000 simulation tests and over 2000 platform tests to meet the complexity demanded.
The CR450 prototype is developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Sifang Co. Ltd. The developers glorify its performance that excels in energy efficiency, operational speed, noise control and the braking system. It has an eight car formation, with permanent magnet traction, the high stability bogie system and is water cooled. The streamlined design reduces energy consumption by 20%.
But further line tests and refinements will be needed to make sure it stands firm on the standards required for the commercial operations. However, it is being said that the launch is planned early in 2025.
Since a decade, China has been engaged in building a huge and efficient railway network in its territory that runs over thousands of kilometers. New railways reach to almost every corner of the country. The railway network covers 160,000 kilometers, with its high speed rail lines spread over 46,000 kilometers.
Countries worldwide have been investing huge sum of money in high-speed, high capacity railways ever since 1980s. Japan’s Shinkansen, the Train a Grand Vitesse in France and many others in Asia and Europe, including Germany, Italy and Spain. Asia has five fastest high speed trains in the world, one more shall be added after CR450. While in India, the fastest train is the Vande Bharat Express with a maximum speed of 180 km/h that operates at 160 km/h.
The High speed rail is proven to be an effective and affordable alternative to air travel in the journeys that span up to 700 miles. They have improved mobility and connect people living in rural and urban areas, that too with comfort and smooth travel.