The initial tests will continue until August, and then one of the trains will be transferred to the Yuanping - Taiyuan test section of the Datong - Xi'an high-speed line where testing will continue until the end of this year. After that, other operational tests will be conducted.

 

Each 209m-long train comprises four motor cars and four trailers. The trains are 3360mm wide and 4060mm high and have an axleload of less than 17 tonnes. Each train can accommodate 556 passengers, with 10 in business class, 28 in first class, and 518 in second class.

Research and development of the standard EMU started in 2012, enabling the general technical specifications to be developed in 2013 and the design to be finalised in 2014. The new trains were unveiled at the China Academy of Railway Sciences' (Cars) test loop line in northeastern part Beijing on June 30.

Chinese Railways Corporation is coordinating the project, while Cars was responsible for developing the overall technical specifications, and CRRC was responsible for the design and manufacture. Other suppliers and universities have also been involved in the project.

The gold-liveried train was produced by Changchun Railway Vehicles of the former CNR, while the blue-liveried train was built at the former CSR's Qingdao Sifang plant.