Sixth Passenger Speed-Up Postponed Until Next Year

China is increasing the maximum speed on many existing passenger and freight lines. Electrifying the 942 km Zhegan line (Hangzhou to Zhuzhou), for instance, now allows trains to travel at speeds of 200 km an hour. Speed-ups may include upgrading motive power, freight car production, rolling stock testing, and existing track. China's Ministry of Railways says its sixth speed-up project, slated to launch in 2007, will bring nearly one third of its rail network to speeds of more than 120 km an hour. An insert highlights five speed-ups performed on China's main lines between April 1997 to April 2004.