400 km/h? China unveils prototype for world’s fastest HS passenger train
It’s a major breakthrough for high-speed rail, and it’s coming out of – you guessed it – China. The state-owned rail manufacturer CRRC has unveiled its new “CR450” – a train capable of reaching a massive 400 km/h. Beating its predecessor by 50 km/h, the new model – once fully operational – is set to be the world’s fastest conventional high-speed passenger train.
CRRC has done it again. The new CR450 prototype, unveiled in Beijing at the end of 2024, still needs to be signed off for production, but once it is, it’s expected to replace the country’s high-speed CR400 Fuxing. Those trains currently connect China’s cities at speeds of around 350 km/h. But a slew of new features means that speed and comfort are set for a major upgrade on China’s high-speed tracks.
Indeed, thanks to being 10 per cent lighter than its predecessors, and having a lower air resistance, the CR450 runs 50 km/h faster than what is currently one of the world’s speediest passenger trains. It also has a longer nose, as well as aerodynamic windshields, that further reduce drag, alongside a 20 per cent boosted braking performance.
In terms of safety, the prototype is equipped with over 4,000 sensors that monitor critical components in real time, including the train body, pantograph, train control systems, and fire detection mechanisms. Essentially, the faster the train, the more the need for state-of-the-art safety and efficiency features.
A boost in comfort
As for passenger comfort, it also has advanced noise-reduction technologies that ensure that interior noise levels are comparable to those of 350 km/h trains. Cabin space has also been boosted by 4 per cent, with new versatile storage areas incorporated into the design in anticipation of potential regulatory changes in China’s passenger transport.
The prototype has been in the making since 2018, with more than 200 days of high-speed testing taking place across major high-speed rail lines, including Zhengzhou-Wanzhou, Jinan-Zhengzhou, Mile-Mengzi, and Fuzhou-Xiamen. Altogether, the tests have meant the prototype has already travelled a massive 200,000 kilometres. China Daily said the train had also undergone more than 3,000 simulations and over 2,000 platform tests.
A historic leap for China
“China’s high-speed railway system has taken a historic leap, shifting from a follower to a global leader. Its HSR technology has set an international benchmark,” said Li Yongheng, a CRRC representative at the unveiling. “To further consolidate and boost China’s leading edge in HSR technology, and better serve and support Chinese modernisation, our company, along with relevant ministries, organisations, research institutes, universities, and enterprises, has formed an innovative team to tackle key technological challenges.”
Those have included achieving a lightweight design that balances speed and energy efficiency, focusing on optimising load-bearing components, especially the bogie and car body. The new rolling stock is also decked out with advanced materials, including carbon fibre, to reduce weight while maintaining the train’s strength.
The Chinese government has said that the CR450 will be operational “as soon as possible”, which could mean going into production this year. However, the new speeds may mean more work to update the high-speed network – which the government plans to increase by 25 per cent by 2030 – so it can handle trains of such speeds. Either way, Chinese rail is entering the new year at high velocity.
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