Events
China has tested a super-fast train capable of speeds of up to 300 miles per hour (about 500 km). The new locomotive model is made of plastic materials reinforced with carbon fiber.
Earlier this year, China also unveiled the fastest locomotive, which could cover the 824-mile distance between Beijing and Shanghai in five hours, reaching a record maximum speed of 200 miles per hour (over 320 km) and at an average speed of 165 miles per hour (over 260 km).
The latest test model has a maximum traction power of 22,800 kW, compared to 9,600 kilowatts of CRH380 trains running on the Beijing-Shanghai route.
However, in the future, not all Chinese trains will necessarily travel at this speed, manufacturers assure. According to them, the main goal in creating the new locomotive was safety.
China's rail industry has had a tough year, with two high-speed trains colliding in July. As a result, at least 40 people died. The construction of new high-speed trains in China has since been virtually suspended.
In February, Railways Minister Liu Zhijun, a key figure in the sector, was dismissed on corruption charges.
The multi-billion dollar project has been criticized, noting that it is too expensive for a country where millions of people still live in poverty. In April, the government announced a reduction in the number of high-speed lines and ticket prices. Critics also argue that railway officials are spending too much money on high-speed railways, noting that low-cost traditional railways should be expanded.
Against this background, the Ministry of Railways reports on the development of safety conditions on trains, including daily inspections of tracks and other structures and an earthquake monitoring system.
Meanwhile, China has the largest high-speed railway network, with a length of 8,000 miles (about 13,000 km). The same number is planned to be built by 2015.