They are accelerating towards a faster future in China. with the new high-speed bullet train Over the weekend, China State Railway Group, the state-run rail operator, unveiled a prototype for a CR450 train that it claims will be the fastest commercial high-speed rail car in the world.
As reported by the South China Morning Post, the CR450 will be able to reach top speeds of up to 280 mph (450 km/h) and will have a commercial top speed of 250 mph (400 km/h). For the sake of comparison, the state's current CR400 trains run at speeds of about 350 km/h. The CR450 would be able to travel the 700 miles from Beijing to Shanghai in about 2.5 hours, according to the report. State news organization Yicai Global–
At the time the CR450 was still in the prototype stage. Producing those fastest trains is a feat of technology and engineering, according to Chinese government press releaseThe CR450 will weigh 10% less than its predecessor and reduce operating drag, the force needed to move a train, by 22%. The train's carriages, which are the frames that cover the wheels, Air resistance can be reduced at faster speeds, and the “low, sharp front drag” and aerodynamic windshield help the CR450 maintain top acceleration.
As impressive as the CR450 promises, there's a difference between being able to reach some speed and actually achieving it. French TGV trains Back in 2007 it hit 357.2 mph.This is still a record for a conventional wheeled passenger train. But in practice, a TGV has an average speed of about 175 mph. China already has the fastest commercial trains in the world. There are many routes. Regularly hitting 217 mph.– But to be able to push those top speeds even higher It is necessary to ensure that the tracks are properly aligned to support them.
According to the infrastructure consulting company AECOM,The faster the train runs, the better. The larger the curve radius is to ensure that vehicles can turn safely without having to slow down significantly or put themselves in serious danger. That radius gets exponentially larger as you go faster. According to AECOM, a train traveling at 224 mph requires a curve radius of about 6.2 miles to maintain speed. Accelerate up to 250 mph. And you would need 7 miles to follow the bank without refueling at full speed.
The Chinese government says the CR450 will be operational.”as soon as possible– Meanwhile Californians are still waiting for the high-speed rail project, now nearly two decades since its initial approval. To create the first operational passenger service Hopefully the train will be faster than construction.
