A train traveling at 400 kilometers per hour is close to carrying passengers
Prototypes of China's CR450 high-speed train have covered a test distance of 600,000 kilometers. Designed to carry passengers at a speed of 400 kilometers per hour, the train is now approaching the final inspection and certification processes. It has not yet been announced when regular operations will begin.
A train operating at a speed of 400 kilometers per hour has moved one step closer to passenger transportation
According to a report by Caixin, the CR450 prototypes have completed the set distance of 600,000 kilometers as part of operational testing. This is considered an important milestone in preparing the train for commercial passenger service. However, this result does not mean the train has been put into operation: final technical inspection and certification work lie ahead. It has also not been announced when tickets will go on sale.
The CR450 is being developed to travel at a speed of approximately 400 kilometers per hour during passenger service. The number "450" in its name is related to its test speed. These two figures represent different operating modes: in tests, the train is checked at speeds higher than in future passenger journeys to evaluate how it performs under various conditions.
CRRC Corporation presented the new train prototypes in Beijing on December 29, 2024. This family includes the CR450AF and CR450BF models. They were developed by CRRC Sifang and CRRC Changchun.
The manufacturer focused on reducing weight and motion resistance, lowering noise levels, expanding usable space, and updating control and safety monitoring systems in the new generation of trains.
In the fall of 2025, CRRC announced that during tests, a single train reached a speed of 453 kilometers per hour. The relative speed of two trains traveling in opposite directions reached 896 kilometers per hour. This figure represents the approach speed of the two trainsets, rather than the individual speed of each train.
At that time, the company stated that before receiving permission for commercial passenger transportation, the train had to successfully pass 600,000 kilometers of operational testing.
One of the main changes in the new train is the extension of the aerodynamic front section of the end car. Its length has been increased from 12.5 meters to 15 meters. The enclosed design of the bogies and the panels under the cars reduce the interaction of the airflow with the wheel area.
According to the manufacturer, structural changes have made it possible to reduce overall motion resistance by 22 percent compared to the previous generation. The height of the train has also been lowered by 20 centimeters.
The CR450 also features improved acceleration performance. It reaches a speed of 350 kilometers per hour in 4 minutes and 40 seconds. For comparison, Fuxing trains require 6 minutes and 20 seconds for this.