High-speed Rail in The People's Republic of China - Technology - Rolling Stock

Rolling Stock

China Railway High-speed runs different electric multiple unit (trainsets), the designs of which all are imported from other nations and given the designations CRH-1 through CRH-5. CRH trainsets are intended to provide fast and convenient travel between cities. Some of the trainsets are manufactured locally through technology transfer, a key requirement for China. The signalling, track and support structures, control software and station design are developed domestically with foreign elements as well, so the system as a whole could be called Chinese. China currently holds many new patents related to the internal components of these train sets since they have re-designed major components so the trains can run at a much higher speed than the original foreign train design.

• CRH1 produced by Bombardier's joint venture Sifang Power (Qingdao) Transportation (BST), CRH1A & CRH1B, nicknamed "Metro" or "Bread", derived from Bombardier Regina, CRH1E, nicknamed "Lizard", is Bombardier's ZEFIRO 250 design.
  • CRH1A; sets consists of 8 cars; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h.
  • CRH1B; a modified 16-cars version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h.
  • CRH1E; is a 16-car high-speed sleeper version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h.
• CRH2; nicknamed "Hairtail" derived from E2 Series 1000 Shinkansen.
  • CRH2A; In 2006, China has unveiled (CRH2), a modified version of the Japanese Shinkansen E2-1000 series. An order for 60 8-car sets had been placed in 2004, with the first few built in Japan, the rest produce by Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock in China.
  • CRH2B; a modified 16-cars version of CRH2; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h.
  • CRH2C (Stage one); a modified version of CRH2 has maximum operating speed up to 300 km/h by replacing two intermediate trailer cars with motored cars.
  • CRH2C (Stage two); a modified version of CRH2C (Stage one version) has maximum operating speed up to 350 km/h by replacing motors with more powerful ones.
  • CRH2E; a modified 16-cars version of CRH2 with sleeping cars.
• CRH3C; nicknamed "Rabbit", derived from Siemens ICE3 (class 403); 8 car sets; maximum operating speed of 350 km/h
• CRH5A, derived from Alstom Pendolino ETR600; 8 car sets; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h
• CRH6; Designed by CSR Puzhen and CSR Sifang, will be manufactured by CSR Jiangmen, it is designed to have two versions, top operating speed of 220 km/h version and top operating speed of 160 km/h version, will be used at 200 km/h or 250 km/h Inter-city High Speed Rail lines, planned to enter service in late 2012.
• CRH380A; Maximum operating speed of 380 km/h; Manufacturer by Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock; entered service in 2010.
  • CRH380A; 8-car version.
  • CRH380AL; 16-car version.
• CRH380B; upgraded version of CRH3; maximum operating speed of 380 km/h, manufactured by Tangshan Railway Vehicle & Changchun Railway Vehicles; entered service in 2011.
  • CRH380B; 8-cars version.
  • CRH380BL; 16-cars version.
• CRH380CL; Designed and manufactured by Changchun Railway Vehicles maximum operating speed of 380 km/h, planned to enter service in 2012.
• CRH380D; also named Zefiro 380; maximum operating speed of 380 km/h; manufactured by Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd. (BST); planned to enter service in 2012.
  • CRH380D; 8-cars version.
  • CRH380DL; 16-cars version (Order has since been converted to D sets and additional Zefiro 250 and 250NG sets.)

CRH1A, B,E, CRH2A, B,E, and CRH5A are designed for a maximum operating speed (MOR) of 200 km/h and can reach up to 250 km/h. CRH3C and CRH2C designs have an MOR of 300 km/h, and can reach up to 350 km/h, with a top testing speed more than 380 km/h. However, in practical terms, issues such as cost of maintenance, comfort, cost and safety make the maximum design speed of more than 380 km/h impractical and remain limiting factors.