China introduces potential blueprint for the globe's fastest high-speed railway train.
The CR450, which made its debut in Beijing on December 29, has reportedly achieved test speeds of up to 450 km/h (281 miles/h) and operates at a speed of 400 km/h (248.5 miles/h), as per China's Ministry of Transport.
Upon commercial launch, it could potentially take the title of fastest high-speed train globally, outdoing China's existing CR400 model, which debuted in 2017 and operates at 350 km/h (217 miles/h).
The creators of the latest CR450 prototype, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd., have praised its performance in terms of operational speed, energy efficiency, noise reduction, and braking capabilities.
This prototype has undergone over 3,000 simulations and more than 2,000 platform tests to cater to the stringent requirements of commercial operation, as stated by China Daily, a state-run media outlet.
Further line tests and refinements are necessary to ensure it clears all the requirements for commercial operations, as reported by the China State Railway Group.
Over the past decade, China has emerged as an uncontested global leader in railway development, constructing numerous kilometers of new railways, nearly reaching every nook of the country. Its rail network spans over 160,000 kilometers, with over 46,000 kilometers devoted to high-speed rail lines, as per China's transport ministry.
High-speed rail has proven to be an efficient substitute for air travel for journeys up to 700 miles, linking urban centers and rural areas with ease and comfort.
Since the 1980s, substantial investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars have been poured into building high-speed, high-capacity railways across Europe and Asia, with Japan's Shinkansen and France's Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) paving the way.
CNN's Ben Jones provided the initial reporting.
The CR450's potential speed records have been generating significant news in the global travel sector. For avid travelers planning long-distance journeys, this high-speed train could significantly reduce travel time.
