China has been trialling a prototype of the CR450 passenger train, said to be the world’s fastest, with a top speed of 450km/h and an operational speed of 400km/h.
The trainset, which is being tested by China State Railways, is intended to replace the CR400 Fuxing, which can reach speeds of 350km/h.
The South China Morning Post reported that if all went to plan, the CR450 would reduce travel time between Beijing and Shanghai to 3 hours and 20 minutes, compared with 4 hours and 30 minutes at present.
China State Railways said work on the train began in 2018. Since then, energy use and drag have been reduced by 20%, and braking performance has been improved by 20%.
The CR450 resembles an arrow when viewed from the side and uses a bogie design to reduce wind resistance, according to the state-run People’s Daily.
A test run was conducted between Beijing and Tianjin last month, but no indication has been given as to when the CR450 will begin serial production. State news agency Xinhua said further line tests and optimisation will be conducted.
Development on the CR400 began in 2012 and it entered service in 2016.
