China to adjust train numbering system, add X-series for higher-speed trains

An aerial drone picture handled Sept. 25, 2026 reveals a bullet train of Harbin-Yichun high-speed train working on trial operation through Yichun City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua)– China will change its nationwide train numbering system and present a brand-new “X” series for future trains with optimum operating speeds above 350 km/h, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) revealed on Friday.

The modification will be carried out in 2 batches in late November and late December. China Railway stated train services will continue to run according to the present schedule after the change.

China’s most recent high-speed train, the Fuxing CR450 electrical numerous system (EMU), which has an optimal test speed of 450 km/h and a running speed of 400 km/h, has actually passed all type tests by March 2026, stated Zhao Hongwei, primary scientist at the China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited (CARS). It is presently the world’s fastest high-speed train by running speed.

The CR450 accomplishes this speed while taking in about as much electrical power as existing high-speed trains. Zhao kept in mind that at 400 km/h, the CR450 utilizes less than 22 kWh per kilometer, while information from CARS reveal that 350 km/h high-speed trains utilize 19.5 to 23.5 kWh per kilometer.

Under China Railway’s numbering system, prefix letters suggest a train’s speed classification or service type. After the modification, the brand-new X-series will be utilized for trains with optimum operating speeds above 350 km/h, while the G, T and K series will represent trains with optimum operating speeds of 350 km/h, 300 km/h and 200-250 km/h, respectively.

In the last few years, China’s train network has actually continued to broaden, and the variety of train services has actually grown considerably. From 2014 to 2025, the variety of 300-350 km/h high-speed train sets increased by 209 percent, from 1,018 to 3,149 basic sets. Versus this background, some train number series are approaching the limitations of offered number varieties, an essential problem the change intends to attend to.

According to a train science and technology development prepare for the 15th Five-Year Plan duration (2026-2030) provided on Monday, China will prepare no less than 20 common application circumstances or presentation tasks in locations such as the 400 km/h high-speed train os. ■


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