China Boosts High Speed Rail

The Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR) has awarded Bombardier Transportation's Chinese joint venture with a €1bn high-speed rail contract.

Sifang Power will supply 40, 16-car, high-speed Zefiro trains, capable of travelling up to 250km/h.

Twenty of the electric multiple unit (EMU) trains are designed for overnight service and fitted with sleeping berth interiors, the world's first EMU sleepers capable of travelling at very high speeds.

Bombardier says its remaining 20 EMU trains will be upgraded and delivered to the MOR as part of orders placed in May 2005 and October 2004.

By Adrian McBreen