China Railways CRH380A

China Railways CRH380A EMU

CRH380A train leaving Shanghai's Hongqiao Station.
In service 2010 - Present
Manufacturer China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation Limited
Number under construction CRH380A: 49 trainsets (392 cars)
CRH380AL: 100 trainsets (1600 cars)
Formation CRH380A: 8 cars/trainset (6M2T)
CRH380AL: 16 cars/trainset (14M2T)
Capacity CRH380A: 494
CRH380AL: 1066[1]
Operator Chinese Ministry of Railways
- Shanghai Railway Bureau
MTRC
Line(s) served Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway
Wuhan–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway
Shanghai–Nanjing High-Speed Railway
Shanghai–Hangzhou High-Speed Railway
Specifications
Train length CRH380A: 203 m (666 ft)
CRH380AL: 401.4 m (1,317 ft)
Width 3,380 mm (11 ft 1 in)
Height 3,700 mm (12 ft 2 in)
Platform height 1,250 mm (4 ft 1 in)
Maximum speed 380 km/h (236 mph) (operation)
486.1 km/h (302 mph) (testing)
Traction system IGBT VVVF inverter control
Power output CRH380A: 9.6 MW (12,900 hp)
CRH380AL: 20.44 MW (27,410 hp)
Power supply Overhead catenary
Electric system(s) 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Current collection method Pantograph
Braking system(s) Regenerative, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes

The CRH380A is a Chinese electric high-speed train that was developed by China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation Limited (CSR) and is currently manufactured by CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. As a continuation of the CRH2-350 program it both replaces foreign technology in the CRH2 with Chinese developments and increases the top speed.[2] The CRH380A is designed to operate at a cruise speed of 350 km/h (217 mph) and a maximum of 380 km/h (236 mph) in commercial service. The original 8-car train-set recorded a top speed of 416.6 km/h (258.9 mph) during a trial run[3] and the longer 16-car train-set temporarily held the world record for the fastest production train at 486.1 km/h (302.0 mph).[4]

CRH380A is one of the four Chinese train series which have been designed for the new standard operating speed of 380 km/h (236 mph) on newly constructed Chinese high-speed main lines. The other three are CRH380B, CRH380C and CRH380D. The CRH380B has been developed by China North Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry (Group) Corporation (CNR) in cooperation with Siemens, and it is manufactured by Tangshan Railway Vehicle and Changchun Railway Vehicle. The CRH380C is based on the CRH380B. It incorporates a redesigned nose and electrical equipment from Hitachi. The CRH380D is Bombardier's Zefiro 380, which is a special design for China Railways, to be produced at Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd, a joint venture by Bombardier and CSR Sifang.

History

CRH380A leaving Hongqiao Station

The development started in early 2008, during the research procedure of CRH2-300 (later CRH2C), the CSR conducted more than 1000 technical tests covering 17 specific areas such as dynamic performance, pantograph-catenary current collection, aerodynamics, and traction performance. CSR discovered the technology to increase the maximum speed. These research findings were fed into the design for the new-generation high-speed train.[2]

The original project was named "CRH2-350". On February 26, 2008,the Chinese Ministry of Science and Ministry of Railway signed the Agreement on Joint and Independent Innovations of China High-speed Trains, CRH2-350 is one of the most important projects of this plan, the purpose is to develop Chinese designed new-generation High Speed train with continuous operating speed to be 350 km/h (217 mph), and maximum operating speed up to 380 km/h (236 mph). The new generations of rolling stock are expected to be used on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. the project officially launched in 2009, and was included in the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan"'s National technology support program for key technology and equipment development of China' s high speed train.

The design work includes four categories: schematic, technical, construction, and experimentation/verification. based on the analysis of large amounts of data and experience from the operation of the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed rail. the MOR completed a series of initial system and optimized subsystem design, then provided CSR sifang with primary data and design. CSR presented more than 20 types of designs.[5] After further comparison, calculation, optimization, simulation and testwork, on April 12, 2010, the final design was published on the Official conference held by Sifang. The train model was exhibited in May at the China Railway Pavilion in the Shanghai World Expo Park (IRJ July p5).

On September 2009, the Ministry of Railways (MOR) of China had ordered 100 16-car and 40 eight-car new-generation high-speed trains from CSR Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock, the contract worth 45 billion RMB (US$ 6.64 billion).

On April 18, 2012, the MTR ordered 9 CRH380A train sets for Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.[6]

Technical features

According to CSR, the overall design of CRH380A reflects ten major goals.[2][7][8]

Test

The prototype vehicle was rolled off on April, 2010, the eight-car train was being tested on the China Academy of Railway Sciences experimental loop line (Beijing loop line) startes from April 26, 2010. and started trial runs on the Zhengzhou - Xi'an high-speed line on June 7, 2010.

The initial standard CRH380A trainsets was delivered on August 2010,[7] The first test on conventional rail, based on a daily-service mode, was conducted on September 28, 2010.

The test was held on the Shanghai–Hangzhou High-Speed Railway (also known as the Huhang high-speed railway, "Hu" stands for "Shanghai", "Hang" stands for Hangzhou; Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang Province).[10] The trainset with series number CRH380A-6001 reached the maximum speed of 416.6 km/h (258.9 mph).[10]

The first set of CRH380AL, series number CRH380A-6041L, rolled off line by October 2010. On November 8, 2010, the 16-car train was sent to Beijing loop line for test. On November 20, 2010, the train was sent to Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway for trial run. On November 26, 2010, the first 380 km/h (236 mph) test run at the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway was launched at Zaozhuang - Bengbu section.[11] The trainset with series number CRH380A-6041L reached the maximum speed of 486.1 km/h (302.0 mph) on December 3, 2010.[12] During the test, It traveled 220 km (137 mi) in 34 minutes, at average speed of 388 km/h (241 mph).[1][13]

Commercialization

CRH380A entered service on September 30, 2010 in limited capacity on the Shanghai–Nanjing High-Speed Railway line.

On October 26, 2010, CRH380A entered regular service at the Shanghai–Hangzhou High-Speed Railway and Shanghai–Nanjing High-Speed Railway. The maximum operational speed reaches 355 km/h (221 mph), and this is always restricted by the software of the computerized control system.[14] The travel time between Shanghai and Hangzhou reduced from 1 hour 18 minutes to 45 minutes.[15] and travel time between Nanjing and Hangzhou reduced from 3 hour 19 minutes to 2 hour 48 minutes.[16]

CRH380A started daily service at the Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway as of December 3, 2010.[17]

Train series number

CRH380A : CRH380A-6001 ~ CRH380A-6040.
CRH380AL  : CRH380A-6041L ~ CRH380A-6140L.

Formation

Each CRH380A has eight coaches, Units with standard compartments were formed as follows:

Power Destination

Coach Type

Coach types ZEG, ZYS, ZET, and ZYG are at the ends of the trains and feature a Sightseeing Area.

CRH380A

Coach No. 12345678
Type1 ZET ZE ZYT ZY ZEC ZE ZET
Type2 ZYG ZE ZEC ZE ZEG
Power Configuration TC M MP M MP M TC
Capacity1 40+6 85 6+38 51 14+38 85 85 40+6
Capacity2 5+28 85 85 75 63 85 85 5+40

CRH380AL

Coach No. 12345678910111213141516
Type1 ZYG ZY SW ZY ZE CA ZE ZYG
Type2 SW ZY ZE ZEC ZE SW
Power Configuration TC M MP M MP M TC
Capacity1 25+2 56 24 56 73 85 85 85 38 85 85 85 85 85 85 25+2
Capacity2 10+3 56 56 85 73 85 85 85 38 85 85 85 85 85 85 10+3

Distribution

As of January, 2013

Operator Quantity Series number Lines serving Note
CRH380A
Shanghai Railway Bureau12CRH380A-6001~CRH380A-6006、CRH380A-6008、CRH380A-6009、
CRH380A-6012、CRH380A-6016、CRH380A-6018、CRH380A-6021
Huning PDL、Huhang PDL
Wuhan Railway Bureau16CRH380A-6011、CRH380A-6013~CRH380A-6015、CRH380A-6017、
CRH380A-6019、CRH380A-6020、CRH380A-6023~CRH380A-6026、
CRH380A-6028~CRH380A-6032
Wuguang PDL
Guangzhou Railway Group Co., Ltd11CRH380A-6007、CRH380A-6010、CRH380A-6022、CRH380A-6027、
CRH380A-6033~CRH380A-6037、CRH380A-6039、CRH380A-60400
Wuguang PDL
China MOR1CIT001Comprehensive testing train
1CRH380A-6038Official car
CRH380AL
Shanghai Railway Bureau100CRH380A-6041L~CRH380A-6140L[18]

Criticism

Claims by Kawasaki Heavy Industries suggests that the trains design was Shinkansen derived without citation to the previous technology. [19]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-12/04/content_11652641.htm
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "First Chinese designed HS train breaks cover:". International Railway Journal. September 2010.
  3. . Peoplerail. October26,2010 http://www.peoplerail.com/xinwen/20101027/n324636648.html. Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. "南车动车组跑出416.6公里世界最高速". www.chnrailway.com.
  5. http://news.cn.yahoo.com/ypen/20120418/994153.html
  6. 7.0 7.1 "CSR equips Shanghai-Hangzhou intercity high-speed railway with CHR380A EMUs". CSR Official sites.
  7. "和谐号"CRH380A十大技术创新". CNR Radio.
  8. 9.0 9.1 "中国南车在国际市场上拓展品牌". www.cqn.com.cn.
  9. 10.0 10.1 "Speed test of Huhang high-speed rail sets new record of 416.6 km/h (258.9 mph)". People's Daily Online. 17:33, September 28, 2010 (Beijing Time). Retrieved Oct 2, 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. "视频:京沪高铁进行首次380公里时速试验". www.iqilu.com.
  11. http://news.cntv.cn/china/20101203/106406.shtml
  12. http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-12/04/c_12846483.htm
  13. "沪杭高铁"贴地飞行" 设计堪比星级酒店". zjnews.zjol.com.cn.
  14. "世界运营铁路第一速领跑长三角". news.163.com.
  15. "沪杭高铁26日正式开通运营全程最快2小时48分". news.163.com.
  16. "新一代高速动车组CRH380A明起亮相武广高铁". news.hexun.com.
  17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znCLaEY-YYI
  18. http://fortune.com/2013/04/15/did-china-steal-japans-high-speed-train/

External links

Media related to China Railways CRH380A at Wikimedia Commons