China is advancing the development of the CR450 high-speed train, designed for commercial speeds of up to 400 km/h, which could become the world’s fastest conventional train once it enters service. According to China State Railway Group, the project is expected to complete operational testing and finalize the design in 2026, bringing it closer to commercial launch.
The CR450 represents the next generation of high-speed trains developed in China, following the current CR400 series, which is currently used for commercial services at speeds of up to 350 km/h.
Tests on multiple high-speed lines
Two prototypes of the CR450 train were completed at the end of 2024 and subsequently entered an extensive testing program.
The trains were tested on the Beijing Ring Railway test line, as well as on the Chongqing–Xiamen and Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high-speed lines. According to China Railway, the trains have so far covered approximately 300,000 kilometers in operational tests, and all type tests have been successfully completed.
Speeds of up to 453 km/h in tests
During testing, a CR450 train reached 453 km/h, while two trains that crossed paths on the line set a record of 896 km/h combined speed.
The project has enabled the development of a technological system for high-speed trains capable of traveling at 400 km/h, above the current commercial speed of Chinese trains.
At this speed, the train has an emergency braking distance of less than 6,500 meters, energy consumption of less than 22 kWh per kilometer, and an interior noise level of approximately 68 decibels, values comparable to those of CR400 trains traveling at 350 km/h.
New technologies for high-speed trains
The CR450 project includes several new technologies, including: According to the Chinese railway operator, the train uses mostly domestically developed components, including bogies, pantographs, and high-voltage cables.
- lighter bodies
- permanent magnet traction systems
- solutions for reducing aerodynamic drag
- high-performance braking systems
The train prototypes are being developed by Chinese manufacturers CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Qingdao Sifang, part of the CRRC industrial group, the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer.
China Railway has announced that the testing and development program will continue, with the train gradually being prepared for commercial operation.
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