Compared with conventional trains, trainsets provide a far higher number of seats from the same overall length. For instance, an eight-car Velaro CN train set offers space for 601 passengers. The geometry of the car body and the layout of the interior furnishings have been specifically coordinated with one another in order to unite good ride quality and a high level of passenger comfort with high seating capacities. The train has two classes in which the passengers are able to enjoy the benefits of a catering service. Apart from that, the passengers can enjoy snacks and beverages in a bistro. An audio and video entertainment system offers 1st class passengers a sophisticated standard of entertainment. With an installed traction rating of 8,800 kW, the Velaro CN is designed for a maximum operating speed of 300 km/h. During braking, this power can be converted again and fed back into the over-head line. Ride comfort and safety are guaranteed by the proven running gear technology from Siemens. Automatic control and protection of the train is performed by an operations control system developed by Siemens for the Chinese market and that is based on Europe's standardized ETCS.
Like its predecessors - the ICE3 and Velaro E - the Velaro CN is a multiple unit train set in which the traction and the technical modules are distributed under floor over the length of the train. This means that the full length of the train above floor is available to the passengers, offering some 20 % more passenger compartment space than conventional trains of the same length. This concept is becoming more and more popular worldwide.
The trainset concept stands out thanks to the following operating advantages such as - improved utilization of the adhesion coefficient during acceleration because 50 % of the axles are driven. Ability to travel up sections with steep gradients up to 1 in 40. And due to the evenly distributed weight across the entire train set, the load on each individual wheelset is reduced. This goes easy on the track and reduces the maintenance requirements for the running gear. The load per wheelset is lower than the international standard of max. 17 metric tons. Ultra-smooth ride - the even distribution of weight also improves the running characteristics and thus travel comfort.
Photographed by Asit Baran Das & Bani Das.