Unveiled in Beijing on December 29th, the CR450 has achieved test speeds of 450 kilometers (281 miles) per hour. China's Ministry of Transport reports its operational speed will be 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour.
This means it could become the world's fastest high-speed train once it's in service, surpassing China's current CR400 model. Launched in 2017, the CR400 runs at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour.
The CR450's developers, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd., are praising its speed, energy efficiency, noise reduction, and braking.
According to the state-run China Daily, it has undergone over 3,000 simulations and 2,000 platform tests to ensure it's ready for commercial use.
The China State Railway Group says further testing and refinements are needed before it can be used commercially.
Over the last ten years, China has become a global leader in railway development. It has built thousands of kilometers of new track, reaching almost every part of the country. China's transport ministry says its rail network now spans over 160,000 kilometers, with over 46,000 kilometers of high-speed lines.
High-speed rail has become a popular alternative to flying for journeys of up to 700 miles. It offers a comfortable way to travel between cities and rural areas.
Since the 1980s, hundreds of billions of dollars have been invested in high-speed rail across Europe and Asia. This was spearheaded by Japan's Shinkansen and France's Train à Grand Vitesse (TGV).
