Hexie (), also known as the CRH series EMU, is an umbrella term for the multiple unit high-speed and higher-speed trains operated by China Railway under the China Railway High-speed brand. All series of Hexie are based on foreign-developed technology and later manufactured locally in China through technology transfer licenses, with the ultimate goal of China acquiring the know-how and capability to produce high-speed rail trains.
The Harmony series does not belong to any single platform, instead encompassing all high-speed trains in China with roots in foreign technology, specifically CRH1, CRH2, CRH3 and CRH5. Although later variants of Hexie such as CRH380A were designed by Chinese companies, they are still classified as CRH due to incorporation of foreign technology.
History In 2007, China's Ministry of Railways drafted a plan for China's future high-speed network. Bombardier Transportation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Alstom and later Siemens joined the high-speed train manufacturing project that later became known as Harmony. Forming joint-ventures with Chinese company CNR and CSR, these four foreign companies signed agreements with China to manufacture high-speed trains for China as well as provide assistance for Chinese companies to manufacture train cars locally in the future.
While the initial train sets from each Hexie series were manufactured overseas, subsequent sets are manufactured locally through technology transfer, a key requirement for China. The signalling, track and support structures, control software, and station design are developed domestically with foreign elements as well. Although the first domestically produced trains were initially delivered in complete knock-down form, eventually manufacturing as a whole became predominantly Chinese.
China currently holds many patents related to the internal components of these trains, re-designed in China to allow the trains to run at higher speeds than the foreign designs allowed. However, these patents are only valid within China, and as such hold no international power. This weakness on the intellectual property of Hexie trains became an obstruction for China to export its high-speed rail related products, leading to the development of a completely redesigned train brand, Fuxing, which is based on indigenous technologies.
While most Hexie series trains are designed for China Railway, a variant of the CRH380A has been modified for operation by MTR Corporation of Hong Kong, who will operate these trains under the brand Vibrant Express specifically for the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
Variants
The Harmony brand has different electric multiple unit trainsets, the designs for which are imported from other nations and designated CRH-1 through CRH-5 and CRH380A(L), CRH380B(L), and CRH380C(L). CRH trainsets are intended to provide fast and convenient travel between cities. Some of the trainsets are manufactured locally through technology transfer, a key requirement for China. The signalling, track and support structures, control software, and station design are developed domestically with foreign elements as well, so the system as a whole is predominantly Chinese. China currently holds many new patents related to the internal components of these trains, re-designed in China to allow the trains to run at higher speeds than the foreign designs allowed. However, these patents are only valid within China, and as such hold no international power.
The trainsets are as follows: CRH1 produced by Bombardier Transportation's joint venture Sifang Power (Qingdao) Transportation (BST), CRH1A, and CRH1B, nicknamed "Metro" or "Bread", derived from Bombardier's Regina; CRH1E, nicknamed "Lizard", is Bombardier's ZEFIRO 250 design. CRH1A: sets consists of 8 cars; maximum operating speed of CRH1B: a modified 16-car version; maximum operating speed of CRH1E: a 16-car high-speed sleeper version; maximum operating speed of CRH2: nicknamed "Hairtail", derived from E2 Series 1000 Shinkansen. CRH2A: In 2006, China unveiled CRH2, a modified version of the Japanese Shinkansen E2-1000 series. An order for 60 8-car sets had been placed in 2004, with the first few built in Japan, the rest produced by Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock in China. CRH2B: a modified 16-car version of CRH2; maximum operating speed of CRH2C (Stage one): a modified version of CRH2 with a maximum operating speed up to as a result of replacing two intermediate trailer cars with motored cars CRH2C (Stage two): a modified version of CRH2C (stage one) has a maximum operating speed up to by using more powerful motors CRH2E: a modified 16-car version of CRH2 with sleeping cars CRH3: nickname "Rabbit", derived from Siemens ICE3 (class 403); 8-car sets; maximum operating speed of . CRH5A: derived from Alstom Pendolino ETR600; 8-car sets; maximum operating speed of . CRH6: designed by CSR Puzhen and CSR Sifang, will be manufactured by CSR Jiangmen. It is designed to have two versions: one with a top operating speed of ; the other with a top operating speed of . They will be used on or Inter-city High Speed Rail lines; planned to enter service by 2011. CRH380A; Maximum operating speed of . Developed by CSR and manufactured by Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock; entered service in 2010. CRH380A: 8-car version CRH380AL: 16-car version CRH380B: upgraded version of CRH3; maximum operating speed of , manufactured by Tangshan Railway Vehicle and CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles; entered service in 2011. CRH380B: 8-car version CRH380BL: 16-car version CRH380CL: designed and manufactured by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles. Maximum operating speed of 380 km/h; planned to enter service in 2012. CRH380D: also named Zefiro 380; maximum operating speed of , manufactured by Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd.; planned to enter service in 2012. CRH380D: 8-car version
CRH1A, B,E, CRH2A, B,E, and CRH5A are designed for a maximum operating speed (MOR) of and can reach up to . CRH3C and CRH2C designs have an MOR of , and can reach up to , with a top testing speed more than . However, in practical terms, issues such as maintenance costs, comfort, and safety make the maximum speed of more than impractical and remain limiting factors.
Train type Car dimensions Total length Top speed Seating capacity Formation Power output(under 25 kV) Entry into Service CRH1 CRH1A–200 End cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height: Calculated:Real: Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 673: 144 first and 529 standard612: 128 first and 484 standard 5M3T February 1, 2007 CRH1A–250 Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 597: 144 first and 453 standard646: 128 first and 518 standard635: 128 first and 507 standard673: 144 first and 529 standard September ?, 2010 CRH1BCalculated:Real: Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 1299: 208 first and 1091 standard 10M6T May 1, 2009 CRH1B (1E head)End cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height: Calculated:Real: 1299: 208 first and 1091 standard CRH1ETest: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 618: 122 standard, 16 luxury sleepers and 480 soft sleepers642: 122 standard and 520 soft sleepers November 4, 2009CRH1A–A End cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height: Calculated:Real: 613: 48 first and 565 standard 5M3T February 1, 2016 CRH1E–250 Calculated:Real: 642: 110 standard and 532 soft sleepers 10M6T January 29, 2016 CRH380DEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height: Calculated:Real: Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 554: 10 sightseeing, 32 first and 512 standard556: 10 business, 28 first and 518 standard 4M4T April 19, 2014CRH2CRH2GEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation:613: 48 first and 565 standard4M4TJanuary 8, 2016CRH2A (EC)End cars length:Inter cars length:Width: Height:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: November 6, 2013CRH2A (Old)Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 610: 51 first and 559 standard January 28, 2007 CRH2C Stage 1 Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 6M2T August 1, 2008 CRH2C Stage 2Test: N/ADesign:Continuous operation:Current operation: February 6, 2010 CRH2BCalculated:Real: Test: Design:Continuous operation:Current operation: 1240: 155 first and 1075 standard 8M8T August 1, 2008 CRH2ETest: N/ADesign:Continuous operation:Current operation: 630: 110 standard and 520 soft sleepers December 1, 2008CRH2E–NGEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height: 642: 110 standard and 532 soft sleepers December 14, 2015End cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign:Continuous operation:Current operation: 880: 880 soft sleepers July 1, 2017CRH380AEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test:Design:Continuous operation:Current operation: 480: 18 sightseeing, 89 first and 373 standard 6M2T September 30, 2010CRH380A (New)Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 556: 10 business, 28 first and 518 standard January 16, 2014CRH380ALCalculated:Real:Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 1028: 28 business, 162 first and 838 standard1061: 20 business, 118 first and 923 standard 14M2T June 30, 2011CRH3CRH3AEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height: Calculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 613: 48 first and 565 standard 4M4T Other sets: Set Nº. 5257: October 4, 2017 CRH3CEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: Design:Continuous operation:Current operation: 546: 16 special, 40 first and 490 standard 4M4T August 1, 2008 CRH380BGEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 551: 16 sightseeing, 44 first and 491 standard556: 10 sightseeing, 28 first and 518 standard 4M4T October 9, 2012CRH380BLCalculated:Real:Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 1005: 28 business, 186 first and 791 standard1015: 26 business, 118 first and 871 standard 8M8T January 13, 2011CRH380BEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 556: 10 business, 28 first and 518 standard 4M4T January 16, 2014CRH380CLEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign:Continuous operation:Current operation: 1029: 28 business, 130 first and 871 standard1015: 26 business, 118 first and 871 standard 8M8T April 3, 2013CRH5CRH5AEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 622: 60 first and 562 standard 586: 112 first and 474 standard 5M3TOther sets: Set Nº. 5191: April 18, 2007 CRH5G (Old)Test: N/ADesign: / Continuous operation:Current operation: 613: 48 first and 565 second class December 26, 2014CRH5G (New)End cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:CRH5ECalculated:Real:Test: N/ADesign: Continuous operation:Current operation: 642: 110 standard and 532 soft sleepers880: 880 soft sleepers 10M6T Under testingCRH6CRH6AEnd cars length:Inter cars length:Width:Height:Calculated:Real:Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 1488: 557 standard and 931 standings1488: 477 standard and 1011 standings613: 48 first and 565 standard 4M4T February 12, 2014CRH6A–ACalculated:Real: 688: 252 standard and 436 standings2M2TUnder testingCRH6FCalculated:Real:Test: Design: Continuous operation:Current operation: 1988: ... standard and ... standings 4M4T July 11, 2015CRH6F–ACalculated:Real: 875: ... standard and ... standings 2M2T March 26, 2018
Chinese CRH trainsets order timetable