China Railway CRH380A

The CRH380A Hexie is a Chinese electric high-speed train that was developed by CSR Corporation Limited (CSR) and is currently manufactured by CRRC Qingdao Sifang. As a continuation of the CRH2-380 program it both replaces foreign (Japanese) technology in the CRH2 with Chinese developments and increases its top speed.^[2] The CRH380A is designed to operate at a cruise speed of 350 km/h (217 mph) and a maximum speed of 380 km/h (236 mph) in commercial service. The original 8-car train-set recorded a top speed of 416.6 km/h (258.9 mph) during a trial run.^[3] The longer 16-car train-set reached 486.1 km/h (302.0 mph).^[4]

China Railway CRH380A
CRH380A at Luoyang Longmen railway station
In service	CRH380A: 30 October 2010 (2010-10-30) CRH380A (EC): 16 January 2014 (2014-01-16) CRH380AL: 30 May 2011 (2011-05-30) CRH380AN: 22 January 2019 (2019-01-22)
Manufacturer	CSR Qingdao Sifang
Number under construction	CRH380A: 49 trainsets (392 cars) CRH380A (EC Type): 121 trainsets (968 cars) CRH380AL: 100 trainsets (1600 cars)
Formation	CRH380A / CRH380A (EC Type): 8 cars/trainset (6M2T) CRH380AL: 16 cars/trainset (14M2T)
Capacity	CRH380A: 480 CRH380A (EC Type): 556 CRH380AL: 1061 or 1028[1]
Operators	China Railway - CR Beijing - CR Chengdu - CR Guangzhou - CR Jinan - CR Nanchang - CR Nanning - CR Shanghai - CR Taiyuan - CR Wuhan - CR Xi'an - CR Zhengzhou MTR Corporation
Specifications
Train length	CRH380A / CRH380A (EC Type): 203 m (666 ft 0 in) CRH380AL: 401.4 m (1,316 ft 11 in)
Width	3,380 mm (11 ft 1+1⁄8 in)
Height	3,700 mm (12 ft 1+5⁄8 in)
Platform height	1,250 mm (4 ft 1+1⁄4 in)
Maximum speed	350 km/h (217 mph) (operation) 486.1 km/h (302 mph) (testing)
Traction system	Water cooling IGBT-VVVF inverter control (Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric TGA10A/10B/10E/10H or Hitachi CII-HHR1420C)
Traction motors	External sector 3-phase AC induction motor (Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric or Hitachi)
Power output	CRH380A / CRH380A (EC Type): 9.6 MW (12,874 hp) CRH380AL: 20.44 MW (27,410 hp)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Braking system(s)	Regenerative, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

CRH380A is one of four Chinese train series which have been designed for the new standard operating speed of 380 km/h (236 mph) on newly constructed Chinese high-speed main lines. Officially, it is the only series of the four not based on a foreign design, and although it was not produced under a technology transfer agreement, there have been accusations that it is based on unlicensed Shinkansen technology.^[5]

The other three series are CRH380B, which uses technology from Siemens, CRH380C, with technology from Hitachi, and CRH380D, with technology from Bombardier Transportation.^[6]

Development

CRH380A at the Shanghai World Expo 2010

Development began in early 2008 during the research of the CRH2-300 (later known as CRH2C). CSR Corporation carried out over 1,000 technical tests across 17 specific areas, including dynamic performance, pantograph-catenary current collection, aerodynamics, and traction performance. These studies enabled CSR to develop technology allowed for increased maximum speed, and the findings were fed into designs for the new-generation high-speed train.^[2]

The original project was named "CRH2-350". On February 26, 2008, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Ministry of Railway (MOR) signed the Agreement on Joint and Independent Innovations of China High-speed Trains. CRH2-350 is one of the most important projects of this plan, the purpose of which is the development of Chinese-designed new-generation high speed trains with continuous operating speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph), and maximum operating speeds of 380 km/h (236 mph). The next generation of rolling stock is expected to be used on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway. The project officially launched in 2009, and was included in the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan"'s technology support program for developing technology and equipment for China' s high speed trains.

Designs were driven by analysis of data and operational experience from the Beijing–Tianjin high-speed rail. The Ministry of Railway completed an initial series of system and subsystem designs, then provided CSR Sifang with primary data and design.^[7] CSR presented more than 20 design variations.^[8] After further optimization, simulation and testing, the final design was published in an official conference held by Sifang on April 12, 2010 with significant changes to traction system, internal amenities and exterior carbody design.^[9] A train model was exhibited in May at the China Railway Pavilion in the Shanghai World Expo Park.^[10]

In September 2009, Ministry of Railways awarded a contract for one hundred 16-car and forty 8-car new-generation high-speed trains from CSR Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock in a contract worth ¥45 billion (US$6.64 billion).^[11][12][13]

Technical features

Two CRH380ALs at Shanghai Hongqiao railway station.

According to CSR, the overall design of CRH380A reflects ten major goals.^[2][14][15]

• Low-resistance, streamlined head. The nose of the train has a resistance coefficient of less than 0.13, aerodynamic resistance was reduced by 6.1%, aerodynamic noise by 7%, aerodynamic lift by 51.7% and the lateral force acting on the head by 6.1%.
• Vibration mode system matching. The CRH380A uses a lightweight aluminum alloy body whose total weight is no more than 9 t (8.9 long tons; 9.9 short tons), less than 17% of the entire vehicle; CSR has comprehensively improved the body structure, adopting a large number of new vibration damping materials. It also designed the bogie to match the performance of the body and optimized the train body's natural frequencies, which helps reduce structural vibrations at high speeds and improves ride comfort.
• Improved airtightness: The pressure changes inside the train are controlled to 200 Pa (0.029 psi)/s, with the maximum pressure change inside the train remaining below 800 Pa (0.12 psi) compared with the standard value of 1,000 Pa (0.15 psi). This improves passenger comfort when the train is entering and exiting tunnels at high speed.^[2]
• Safe and reliable high-speed bogies. The train is equipped with SWMB-400/SWTB-400 bolster-less bogies. These are a redesign of the SWMB-350/SWTB-350 bogies used by CRH2C; their critical instability speed is 550 km/h (342 mph).^[9] The new train's derail coefficient is 0.34 at a speed of 386 km/h (240 mph) while the maximum derail coefficient of the CRH2A is 0.73.^[16]
• Advanced noise control technology. By reducing sources of noise and adopting new sound absorbing and insulating materials, CSR has been able to control noise inside the train. The noise level is at 67 dB - 69 dB when running at 350 km/h (217 mph), which is similar to the CRH2A running at 250 km/h (155 mph).^[16]
• High-performance traction system, with YQ-365 motors manufactured by CSR Zhuzhou Electric Co., Ltd and CI11 Traction converters by Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric. The CRH380A has a new power unit configuration to maximize traction power. This allows the train to accelerate to 380 km/h (236 mph) in 7 minutes.
• Regenerative braking with a maximum energy feedback rate of 95%. With each stop nearly 800 kWh of electric power can be fed back to the electric grid.^[2]

Variants

CRH380A/AL

The first prototype eight-car train CRH380A was rolled off the production line in April 2010, and tested at the China Academy of Railway Sciences experimental loop line (Beijing loop line) starting from April 26, 2010. Trial runs on the Zhengzhou–Xi'an high-speed railway started on June 7, 2010.

The initial standard CRH380A trainsets was delivered in August 2010,^[14] The first test on conventional rail, based on a daily-service mode, was conducted on September 28, 2010.

The test was held on the Shanghai–Hangzhou Passenger Railway.^[17] The trainset with series number CRH_380A-6001 reached the maximum speed of 416.6 km/h (258.9 mph).^[17]

CRH380A entered service on September 30, 2010 in limited capacity to handle National Day traffic demand on the Shanghai–Nanjing high-speed railway line.^[18]

On October 26, 2010, CRH380A entered regular service at the Shanghai–Hangzhou passenger railway and Shanghai–Nanjing intercity railway. The maximum operational speed reaches 355 km/h (221 mph), and this is always restricted by the software of the computerized control system.^[19] The travel time between Shanghai and Hangzhou reduced from 1 hour 18 minutes to 45 minutes.^[20] and travel time between Nanjing and Hangzhou reduced from 3 hours 19 minutes to 2 hours 48 minutes.^[21]

CRH380A started daily service at the Wuhan–Guangzhou high-speed railway as of December 3, 2010.^[22]

The CRH380AL is the 16 car version of the CRH380A. The first set of CRH380AL, series number CRH_380A-6041L, rolled off line by October 2010. On November 8, 2010, the 16-car train was sent to Beijing loop line for test. On November 20, 2010, the train was sent to Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway for trial run. On November 26, 2010, the first 380 km/h (236 mph) test run at the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway was launched at Zaozhuang - Bengbu section.^[23] The trainset with series number CRH_380A-6041L reached the maximum speed of 486.1 km/h (302.0 mph) on December 3, 2010.^[24] During the test, It traveled 220 km (137 mi) in 34 minutes, at average speed of 388 km/h (241 mph).^[1][25]

MTR CRH380A

See also: Vibrant Express

A CRH380A as Vibrant Express serving the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link

On April 18, 2012, the MTR ordered nine CRH380A train sets for Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link, designated as Vibrant Express.^[26]

CRH380AJ at Guangzhou South railway station

Train series number

• CRH380A: CRH380A–2501 - CRH380A–2540, CRH380A–2641 - CRH380A–2912, CRH380A–2921 - CRH380A–2925
• CRH380AL: CRH380AL–2541 - CRH380AL–2640, CRH380AL–2913 - CRH380AL–2920, CRH380AL–2926 - CRH380AL–2930

Formation

Power Designation M – Motor car T – Trailer car C – Driver cabin P – Pantograph

Coach Type SW – Business Class Coach ZY – First Class Coach ZE – Second Class Coach ZEC – Second Class Coach/Buffet Car ZYT – First Class/Premier Coach ZET – Second Class/Premier Coach ZYS – First Class/Business Coach ZES – Second Class/Business Coach

CRH380A

Coach No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Type1	ZET	ZE	ZYT	ZY	ZEC	ZE		ZET
Type2	ZYS	ZE	SW	ZE	ZEC	ZE		ZES
Type3	ZYS	ZE			ZEC	ZE		ZES
Power Configuration	TC	M		MP	M	MP	M	TC
Power Units	Unit 1				Unit 2
Capacity1	40+6	85	38+6	51	38+14	85		40+6
Capacity2	28+5	85	21	75	63	85		40+5
Capacity3	28+5	85	85	75	63	85		40+5

• ^1 Train series No. 2501-2540
• ^2 Train series No. 2796 (special train for Boao Forum for Asia)
• ^3 Remaining train series

CRH380AL

Coach No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
Type1	ZYS	ZY	SW	ZY	ZE				ZEC	ZE						ZYS
Type2	SW	ZY		ZE					ZEC	ZE						SW
Power Configuration	TC	M			MP	M							MP	M		TC
Power Units	Unit 1			Unit 2		Unit 3		Unit 4		Unit 5		Unit 6		Unit 7
Capacity1	25+2	56	24	56	73	85			38	85						25+2
Capacity2	10+3	56	56	85	73	85			38	85						10+3

• ^1 Train series No. 2541～2570
• ^2 Remaining train series

Distribution

As of November 2017, there are 447 CRH380A series EMU in service, in which six are high-speed comprehensive inspection trains (with one being a higher-speed experimental train).

Operator	Quantity	Serial number	Depot	Notes
CRH380A
Taiyuan Railway Bureau	39	2641, 2642, 2648, 2654, 2663, 2664, 2668, 2669, 2674-2679, 2689, 2690, 2721, 2798, 2800, 2814, 2841, 2845-2848, 2861, 2867, 2904, 2908, 2921-2925, 2931-2935	Taiyuan
Guangzhou Railway Group	1	2796	Guangzhou South	Special train for Boao Forum for Asia
Nanchang Railway Bureau	63	2501, 2502, 2504, 2509, 2513, 2520, 2521, 2523-2527, 2529, 2535, 2539, 2540, 2658, 2659, 2683, 2684, 2691-2693, 2697-2704, 2707, 2708, 2710-2713, 2716, 2717, 2726-2731, 2737, 2741-2745, 2750-2755, 2760, 2761, 2849, 2855, 2857, 2865	Nanchang West
	30	2694, 2784, 2786-2788, 2790-2795, 2805-2807, 2819, 2824, 2833, 2834, 2839, 2840, 2843, 2844, 2886, 2887, 2890-2895	Fuzhou South
	15	2709, 2714, 2785, 2789, 2802-2804, 2815-2817, 2825, 2850, 2856, 2858, 2866	Xiamen North
Wuhan Railway Bureau	11	2643, 2646, 2652, 2655, 2723, 2747, 2859, 2860, 2879, 2888, 2900	Xiangyang
Zhengzhou Railway Bureau	8	2673, 2809, 2810, 2862-2864, 2876, 2877	Zhengzhou South
Nanning Railway Bureau	40	2649, 2650, 2653, 2656, 2657, 2662, 2670, 2671, 2685-2688, 2695, 2696, 2706, 2715, 2718, 2719, 2724, 2725, 2732, 2734-2736, 2738-2740, 2766, 2767, 2797, 2799, 2826, 2827, 2832, 2851, 2852, 2874, 2878, 2881, 2906	Nanning
Chengdu Railway Bureau	26	2645, 2660, 2665, 2666, 2680, 2681, 2720, 2733, 2748, 2749, 2758, 2762-2764, 2769, 2771, 2773, 2777, 2779, 2782, 2783, 2820, 2823, 2853, 2854, 2883	Chengdu East
	12	2672, 2756, 2759, 2772, 2774, 2776, 2778, 2801, 2812, 2821, 2837, 2838	Guiyang North
	4	2647, 2770, 2780, 2822	Chongqing North
	15	2667, 2757, 2765, 2768, 2775, 2781, 2811, 2813, 2829-2831, 2835, 2836, 2842, 2907	Chongqing West
Kunming Railway Bureau	55	2503, 2505-2508, 2510-2512, 2514-2519, 2522, 2528, 2530-2534, 2536-2538, 2644, 2651, 2661, 2682, 2705, 2722, 2746, 2868-2873, 2875, 2880, 2882, 2884, 2885, 2889, 2896-2899, 2901-2903, 2905, 2909-2912	Kunming South
CRH380A (Vibrant Express)
MTR Corporation	9	0251-0259	Shek Kong	Owned by KCR and leased to MTR for operation and maintenance. Mainly use on Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
CRH380AL
Beijing Railway Bureau	15	2541, 2547, 2551, 2552, 2554, 2556, 2561, 2564, 2568-2570	Shijiazhuang	2541 transferred to Nanchang in January 2024
	4	2543, 2558, 2562, 2567	Beijing
Wuhan Railway Bureau	26	2573, 2575-2581, 2583, 2586, 2587, 2605, 2611, 2614, 2621-2624, 2627-2632, 2635, 2636	Wuhan
	7	2582, 2584, 2585, 2588, 2613, 2625, 2634	Xiangyang
Xi'an Railway Bureau	20	2571, 2572, 2574, 2589-2593, 2596-2601, 2603, 2609, 2626, 2633, 2637, 2638	Xi'an North
Zhengzhou Railway Bureau	12	2594, 2595, 2600-2602, 2604, 2606-2610, 2617, 2619	Zhengzhou South
Guangzhou Railway Group	13	2594, 2595, 2602, 2604, 2606-2608, 2610, 2612, 2617, 2619, 2620	Guangzhou South
Nanchang Railway Bureau	11	2544-2546, 2548-2550, 2553, 2555, 2560, 2563, 2566	Xiamen North
	4	2542, 2557, 2559, 2565	Fuzhou South
Chengdu Railway Bureau	5	2915-2919	Chengdu East
CRH380AN (formerly: CRH–0206)
Chengdu Railway Bureau	1	0206	Chengdu East	Permanent magnet motor test vehicle
CRH380AJ (formerly: CIT400A)
China Railway	5	0201-0203, 2808, 2818	—	Comprehensive inspection trains in orange livery
CRH380AM (formerly: CIT500)
China Railway	1	0204	—	Experimental trainset

Gallery

• 
  Consolidated models of CRH380A are often double-headed in operation (seen at Beijing West railway station)
• 
  Second Class Coach
• 
  First Class Coach
• 
  Business Class Coach

Criticism

Kawasaki Heavy Industries claims the trains design was Shinkansen derived without citation to the previous technology.^[5]

See also

• China Railway CRH1
• China Railway CRH2
• China Railway CRH3
• China Railway CRH5
• China Railway CRH6
• China Railway CR400AF
• China Railway CR400BF
• China Railway comprehensive inspection trains
• Vibrant Express

• Fastest trains in China
• List of high-speed trains

References

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2. "First Chinese designed HS train breaks cover". International Railway Journal. September 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
3. "Tren chino bate récord mundial al transitar a 416 km/h". CrónicaViva (in Spanish). 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
4. "沪杭高铁首发列车侧记" [Shanghai and Hangzhou high-speed rail starting train side note] (in Chinese). Peoplerail. 26 October 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012.
5. Fitzpatrick, Michael (15 April 2013). "Did China steal Japan's high-speed train?". Fortune.
6. "Sina Visitor System". passport.weibo.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
7. "最快动车组青岛造 明年下线设计时速380公里－青岛新闻网". www.qingdaonews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
8. "南车动车组跑出416.6公里世界最高速". www.chnrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
9. 张曙光 (2009). 《京沪高速铁路系统优化研究》. 北京: 中国铁道出版社. ISBN 9787113095178.
10. "中国新一代超高速动车CRH380世博会亮相". 2010-04-25.
11. "First Chinese--designed HS train breaks cover: CSR is building a fleet of very-high-speed trains will be the first such trains built in China to use only Chinese technology. They will be launched on the new Beijing - Shanghai high-speed line, due to open next year, as well as the Beijing - Guangzhou line". International Railway Journal. 1 September 2010. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
12. "450亿元动车订单落青岛 时速350公里明年下线 - 财经 - 山东新闻网". 2009-10-04. Archived from the original on 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
13. "中国南车获铁道部巨额合同_铁路快报". 2010-11-22. Archived from the original on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
14. "CSR equips Shanghai-Hangzhou intercity high-speed railway with CHR380A EMUs". CSR Official sites. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
15. "和谐号"CRH380A十大技术创新" ["Harmony" CRH380A ten technical innovation]. CNR Radio (in Chinese). 10 December 2010. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012.
16. "中国南车在国际市场上拓展品牌" [China South Locomotive in the international market to expand the brand] (in Chinese). www.cqn.com.cn. 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
17. "Speed test of Huhang high-speed rail sets new record of 416.6 km/h". People's Daily Online. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
18. "南京火车站今日客流量或超10万 将增开15趟临客". 2016-06-04. Archived from the original on 2016-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
19. "沪杭高铁"贴地飞行" 设计堪比星级酒店" [Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed rail "paste to fly" design comparable to star hotel] (in Chinese). zjnews.zjol.com.cn. 25 October 2010.
20. "世界运营铁路第一速领跑长三角" [The world operates the first speed of the railway leading the Yangtze River Delta] (in Chinese). news.163.com. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
21. "沪杭高铁26日正式开通运营全程最快2小时48分" [Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed rail on the 26th officially opened the entire operation of the fastest 2 hours and 48 minutes] (in Chinese). news.163.com. 22 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
22. "新一代高速动车组CRH380A明起亮相武广高铁(图)——中新网". www.chinanews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
23. "视频：京沪高铁进行首次380公里时速试验" [Video: Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail for the first time 380 km speed test] (in Chinese). www.iqilu.com. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012.
24. "时速486.1公里！中国再度演绎"高铁奇迹"" [Speed 486.1 km per hour! China re-interpretation of "high-speed rail miracle"]. CNTV (in Chinese). 3 December 2010.
25. "京沪高铁将全程设摄像头确保运营安全[图]" [Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail will be set to ensure full operational safety camera [map]]. Xinhua (in Chinese). 4 December 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010.
26. "中国南车获香港高铁13.6亿元350公里动车组订单" [China South Locomotive won the Hong Kong high-speed rail 3.36 billion 350 km EMU orders]. Yahoo! News (in Chinese). 18 April 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012.

External links

• Media related to China Railways CRH380A at Wikimedia Commons