China testing world's fastest high-speed train prototype at 280 mph pace
China is moving closer to operating what may become the world's fastest high-speed train. According to the Ministry of Transport, the CR450 prototypes have achieved test speeds of 450 kilometers per hour (281 miles per hour) and are expected to run at an operational speed of around 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour.
Once commercial service begins, the CR450 could surpass China's CR400 model, which debuted in 2017 and currently runs at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour.
In a recent CCTV video, the CR450 is shown undergoing comprehensive tests and evaluations. Engineers at the Locomotive and Vehicle Research Institute of the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS) have been particularly focused on 'weight control,' ensuring that any reductions in mass do not compromise structural integrity.
'While reducing the weight, we must ensure that its strength does not decrease, and we even need to increase its strength because of the higher speed. It's just like a person who wants to slim down while building strength. This involves structural changes and material innovations,' said Chen Can, an associate researcher at CARS.
Sensors have been installed on the tracks to achieve the necessary balance, transmitting real-time weight data from each wheel to a monitoring system. Researchers are also enclosing the entire bogie area beneath the train for the first time to minimize air resistance, a critical factor at very high speeds.
'Ensuring the smoothness of the entire train body minimizes resistance during operation,' said Ha Dalei, a senior designer at the National Engineering Research Center of Rail Transportation at CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd.
Among the other technical highlights, the CR450 runs on an advanced permanent magnet traction water-cooled system, with an upgraded bogie design for stability. Engineers have also built in more than 4,000 sensors to monitor everything from the car body and pantograph to train control and fire detection systems, along with a multi-level emergency braking system for enhanced safety.
The prototypes, CR450AF and CR450BF, each feature an eight-car formation with a mix of powered and non-powered carriages.
In addition to the CR400, China already operates other record-breaking trains. The Shanghai Maglev runs on magnetic levitation technology at a maximum speed of about 431 kilometers (268 miles) per hour during regular service.
Despite fierce global competition from France's Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV), Japan's Shinkansen, and Spain's AVE Class 103, China is currently the only country operating commercial high-speed rail services at 350 kilometers per hour. The planned 400 kilometers per hour operating speed of the CR450 would reaffirm China's leadership in this arena.
Although the CR450 prototypes have passed static and low-speed dynamic tests in traction, braking, and noise control, engineers plan to gradually increase speeds in future trials. The goal is to refine systems for real-world conditions, further cutting vibrations, reducing energy consumption, and lowering noise levels.
Once fully approved for commercial operations, the CR450 will not only outpace every other high-speed train worldwide but also make China home to the three fastest trains on the planet.
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