Faster than a speeding bullet: China unveils new super-speed train that can hit 300mph (... 100mph quicker than its bullet trains)

By GARETH FINIGHAN



Showpiece: Although not yet operational, the new bullet train has achieved speeds of 300mph



China has produced a super-rapid test train capable of travelling at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour - 100mph faster than the current record-holder.

The train, made from plastic materials reinforced with carbon fibre, is designed to resemble an ancient Chinese sword and 'will provide useful reference for current high-speed railway operations', according to train expert Shen Zhiyun.

Earlier this year, the Communist regime unveiled its fastest operational locomotive which was able to cover the 824-mile trip between Beijing and Shanghai in five hours - reaching record-breaking top speed of 200mph and maintaining an average speed of 165mph.



The latest test model has a maximum tractive power of 22,800 kilowatts, compared with 9,600 kilowatts for the Beijing-Shanghai CRH380 trains.

But future Chinese trains will not necessarily run at such high speeds. CSR chairman Zhao Xiaogang said: 'We aims to ensure the safety of trains operation.'

China is home to the largest network of bullet-train track in the world, with 8,000 miles of track linking up the vast country at a cost of 700billion yuan (£66billion). Another 8,000 miles of line is expected to be added by 2015.



Already out of date: The CRH380A high-speed train was launched earlier this year and currently holds the world train speed record. But the new model can outrun it by 100mph



China's railway industry has had a tough year, highlighted by a collision between two high-speed trains in July which killed at least 40 people. Construction of new high-speed trains in China has since been a near halt.

In February, the railways minister, Liu Zhijun, a key figure behind the boom in the sector, was dismissed over corruption charges that have not yet been tried in court.

And the multi-billion-pound plan has provoked complaints that it is too expensive for a country where millions of people still live in poverty. The government announced in April the top speed of the fastest lines would be reduced and ticket prices would be cut.



Being overtaken: China's current bullet train can hurtle through the countryside at speeds of up to 200mph



Critics also claim that railway officials have diverted too much money to high-speed rail and should be expanding lower-cost traditional rail.

The Ministry of Railways claims it has made extensive preparations for safety and security on the trains.

They include plans for daily inspections of tracks and other facilities and an earthquake monitoring system.



source: dailymail