Yichang–Xingshan High-Speed Railway begins trial operations

By Chen Zai

Train No. 55103 departed Xingshan Station for Yichang on August 18, kicking off trial operations on the Yichang–Xingshan High-Speed Railway.

The Yichang–Xingshan High-Speed Railway starts trial operations at Xingshan Station on August 18.
Photo by Lin Xiao

Integrated testing across the entire line began on June 29, and all scheduled tests have now been completed. 

Designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, the 108-kilometer line connects the Zhengzhou–Chongqing High-Speed Railway with the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu High-Speed Railway.

During the trial phase, the line will undergo testing under commercial operating conditions, including parameter testing, fault simulations, emergency drills, and timetable trial runs, to assess operations and ensure readiness for its official opening.

After trials conclude, the new railway will cut travel time between Xingshan and Yichang to about 20 minutes, between Yichang and Chongqing to about 3 hours, and between Wuhan and Chongqing to about 4 hours.

Reporters Deng Yuqin and Chen Xiangrui contributed to this story.