Reporters learned from Nanchesifang Corp. that a sample of the new generation of bullet train is to be completed by the end of next year. The new bullet train will be produced on large scale after going through a series of tests and will be delivered in 2011.

Zhang Shuguang, vice chief engineer of the Ministry of Railways (MOR) and transport minister responsible for the new generation of bullet train project told reporters that the new generation of bullet train is the key technological equipment required for high speed railways and special passenger lines like Beijing-Shanghai railway, Wuhan-Guangzhou railway and Harbin-Dalian railway. The new train must have a speed of 350 Km/h during normal operation. The designed speed will be 380 Km/h and speed during testing will reach 400 Km/h. Four critical questions resulting from the promotion of speed are the stability of the bullet train system, safety during operation, reliability of the structure and comfort, all of which have become key in the research of the bullet train.

Reporters were told that after the design proposal is officially confirmed, the MOR will concentrate on the research of the bullet train with a speed above 350 Km/h and overcome technical difficulties associated with high-speed such as the trains body, traction transmission and control, brake, and also develop capability to produce bullet train on a large scale and obtain sustainable research capability for bullet trains with an even higher speed. MOR will also use the research of a new generation of bullet train as a platform to train world-renowned and top-ranking bullet train experts and producers.

By People's Daily Online