BEIJING, Oct 21 — The world’s fastest bullet train, the CR450, has begun a series of pre-service trials on a high-speed railway line in China, clocking a top speed of 453 km/h, reported Xinhua.
The CR450 series, designed for a maximum test speed of 450 km/h and a commercial operating speed of 400 km/h, is currently undergoing qualification trials on the high-speed railway connecting the eastern city of Shanghai with the inland western city of Chengdu, Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday.
The high-speed train can accelerate from standstill to 350 km/h in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds, and two trains have set a record by passing each other at a combined speed of 896 km/h.
Compared with its predecessor CR400, the CR450 features a longer, sleeker nose, a roofline lowered by 20-centimetres, and a 50-tonne weight reduction, resulting in a 22 per cent decrease in aerodynamic drag.
The CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains currently in service operate at a speed of 350 km/h. The CR450 must complete 600,000 km of trouble-free operation before receiving approval to carry passengers. — Bernama-Xinhua
