Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Rail

The Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Rail (zh-st|s=京津城际铁路|t=京津城際鐵路) is a 114 km high-speed rail line between Beijing and Tianjin in China. It was put into service on August 1, 2008 and became the fastest train service in the world with a top speed of 350 km/h. [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/china/article4442873.ece China inaugurates 220mph fastest rail service in world in time for Olympics] ] [ [http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14728570 Sify News:China to open world's fastest rail line ahead of Olympics] ]

The 120 km journey between Beijing and Tianjin, a city co-hosting football matches at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was shortened from the original 70 minutes to 30 minutes. It must be noted that they actually moved the two stations closer togethor which is a factor in the reduction in train time, but the time from downtown Beijing to Tianjin can be longer now since the main Beijing Station (Previously used) is not connected by rail to the South Beijing Station (New one being used). This means a taxi or bus connection and can make the overall time more then the previously not as fast high speed train. Once the subway lines to the South station are completed, the overall trip will be about the same as the previous D trains since you have to use the subway to connect and that takes time.

ervice

Since August 1, 2008, 47 daily pairs of trains services have run between Beijing South and Tianjin, of which, six pairs run between Beijing South and Tanggu (they only run between Beijing and TIanjin currently) on the seaside near Tianjin. In addition 13 pairs of existing trains were switched to the new line instead of existing Jinghu railway, including trains from Beijing South to Jinan, Qingdao, Shanghai, and Tianjin West. A pair of special track examination train (numbered DJ01/02) run every day in the morning before any regular trains into service. A track-measuring train (numbered DJ5581/2) runs every ten days. In summary, there are 62 pairs of train in service, 60 of them for passengers.

Since September 14, 2008, 10 more pairs of daily train service added from Beijing South to Tianjin, reducing the minimum interval from 15 minutes to 10 minutes.

On September 24, 2008, 4 pairs of trains extended to Tanggu.

On September 28, 2008, 2 more pairs of trains are added into service.

Trains

CRH2C (300 km/h, overspeed to 350 km/h on the line) and CRH3C (350 km/h) EMU trains are used for the route from Beijing South to Tianjin. 8 trains will be in service and 5 of them are CRH2C (CRH2-062C, 063C, 064C, 065C, 066C) and 3 are CRH3C (CRH3-001C, 005C, 006C). For longer distance trains from Beijing South to Jinan, Qingdao, Shanghai and Tianjin West, slower CRH2A (200 km/h, overspeed to 250 km/h on the line) are used as before.

The intercity train number is prefixed with "C" (城) followed with four digits, from C2001 to C2298. Of these train numbers, C2001–C2198 are for trains traveling from Beijing South to Tianjin without stopping, odd numbers for train departing from Beijing South and even numbers for those running towards Beijing South. Trains numbered C2201–C2268 are trains from Beijing South and Tianjin that stop at on the way at Wuqing and Yizhuang stations. C2271–C2298 are trains from Beijing South to Tanggu. Existing Jinghu (Beijing-Shanghai) line trains use the D prefix as before. Refer to for detailed schedule info for C trains.

Tickets

Three classes of tickets have been introduced with fares higher than the former Beijing-Tianjin ticket fares, the deluxe seat (8 seats only available on CRH3s near the tail of trains) costs ¥99, first class seat costs ¥69 and the second class costs ¥58.

Line & Technical information

The line has a total length of 113.544 kilometers, of which roughly 100 km is built on viaducts and the last 17 kilometres on an embankment. The elevated design was chosen due to the flat surface the line crosses. The total cost was roughly 14.3 billion Renminbi (Around $2 Billion US).

The line is the first railway in China to be built for 300+ km/h running, and the alignment is designed to ultimately permit 350 km/h. [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2006/03/1788/elevated_design_anticipates_350nbspkmh.html Beijing - Tianjin elevated line anticipates 350 km/h] , "Railway Gazette International" March 2006] A trip between Beijing and Tianjin will take 30 minutes.

ignaling system

The signaling system is built around Simis W electronic interlockings, Vicos operations control system and ETCS Level 1 train control system.

Overhead catenary system

The caternary system in use is Sicat HA, aluminum cantilever, electrified by two sub-stations at 25kV 50Hz AC.

History

Construction began on July 4, 2005, and the line opened on August 1, 2008.

In April 2006, Siemens and its consortium partners EEB (Electrification Engineering Bureau) and CRSC (China National Railway Signal & Communication Corporation) were awarded a contract by the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MoR) to supply and install the signaling systems, communications equipment and power supplies as well as the overhead line and to take over responsibility for system integration and overall project management.cite news | work=Siemens AG | title=Turnkey construction of a high-speed line between Beijing and Tianjin for the 2008 Olympic Games | url=http://references.transportation.siemens.com/refdb/showReference.do?div=2&div=3&div=8&r=2147&l=en | date= | accessdate=2008-07-02]

On May 11, 2007 the first interlocking container for the Beijing-Tianjin line left the Siemens factory in Brunswick, Germany. (This container had been the 1000th container shipped from the factory overall). [cite news | work=Siemens AG | title=Delivery of the 1,000th Interlocking Container | url=http://w1.siemens.com/press/en/pp_ts/2007/sots200708-03.htm | date=2007-05-11 | accessdate=2008-07-02]

peed record

On June 24, 2008 a new Chinese steel-wheel rail speed record was set on the line when a Siemens Velaro-derived China Railways CRH3 train reached 394.3 km/h. [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2008/06/8587/velaro_sets_chinese_speed_record.html Velaro sets Chinese speed record] , "Railway Gazette International" 27 June 2008]

tations

The line has two terminal stations at Beijing South and Tianjin and three intermediate stations at Yizhuang, Yongle and Wuqing.

ee also

* Fastest trains in China

References

External links

* [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2006/03/1788/elevated_design_anticipates_350nbspkmh.html Beijing - Tianjin elevated line anticipates 350 km/h] , "Railway Gazette International" March 2006
* [http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/beijing-tianjin/ Beijing-Tianjin High-Speed Commuter Link, China]