The CR450 will become the world’s fastest commercial train once it joins China’s high-speed rail network, which spans over 47,000 kilometers.
Named for its maximum test speed of 450 kilometers per hour, the CR450 is built for commercial operation at a speed of 400 kilometers per hour. This is faster than China’s current CR400 series trains, which run at 350 kilometers per hour on the nation’s primary rail routes.
Lighter, more aerodynamic, and arrow-shaped, the CR450 represents a significant leap in high-speed train technology.
Development of the CR450 began in 2018, with the official CR450 Technology Innovation Project launching in 2021. The train boasts several key improvements over previous generations. Its aerodynamic arrow-shaped design reduces drag by 22%, featuring a new undercarriage structure, aerodynamic nose, windscreens, and lightweight materials.
Weighing approximately 10 tons, the CR450 is 10% lighter than its predecessors. Energy consumption and braking efficiency increased by around 20%. The train features over 4,000 sensors for real-time monitoring of critical systems and an advanced multi-layer emergency braking system. It also incorporates an advanced permanent magnet traction system, water cooling, and a stable, high-precision undercarriage.
Beijing to Shanghai in just 3.3 hours
People recently spotted the CR450 prototype during a test run from Tianjin to Beijing. China Railway has announced a series of on-track tests and further evaluations before the train enters commercial service. While the exact debut date is yet to be confirmed, the CR450 could be operational as early as next year. Once in service, it could reduce the travel time between Beijing and Shanghai from the current 4.5 hours to approximately 3.3 hours.
The CR450’s introduction marks a continued expansion of China’s high-speed rail network. Since the opening of the first high-speed line between Beijing and Tianjin in 2008, China has developed the world’s largest high-speed rail system, now spanning over 47,000 kilometers.
