In China, train numbers are usually indicated with a capital letter followed by several numerals. The letter indentifies the category of the train, which is often determined by speed and the number of stops the train will make during the journey. The better categories accordingly represent the higher level of price, speed, service, facilities and cleanness, and fewer stops along the way. The common used letters (categories) are as follows:
• Shanghai Maglev Train
Shanghai Maglev Train (Shanghai Maglev Demonstration Line) is the first commercial maglev line in the world. The line runs between Longyang Road Station on the Shanghai Subway Line 2, to Pudong International Airport, and the journey takes no more than 8 minutes to complete the distance of 30 km (19 miles). It can reach up to 431 km/hr (268 mph) during the journey. In 2003, it was enrolled by Guinness Records to be the fastest train in the world in commercial use.
Inside the train, it is very modern, clean and comfortable, much like that in an airplane. Trained attendants are present. There is enough sitting space, since there are only 2 or 3 seats in a row. Air-conditioning is available and passengers can adjust the temperature by themselves. There is an LCD screen indicating the current running speed of the train. Many passengers pay close attention and some even take a picture, when the number of “431” appears on the screen.
• C train –Intercity Trains (Chengjigaotie)
There is only one intercity railway in China till now: the Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Railway. The bullet train line was completed in 2008. It is designed for a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour (217 mph). The CRH trains running on the line now can reach speeds of 330 kilometers per hour (205 mph). These are some of the fastest trains in the world.
• D train – Multiple Unit Train or Bullet Trains (Dongche)
They are the fastest (over 200 km/hr or 124 miles/hr) in China, and provide frequent service between the main cities centered around Beijing and Shanghai, such as trains Beijing/Shanghai, Beijing/Zhengzhou, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, Shanghai/Hangzhou, Shanghai/Nanjing, and so on. Trains only stop at a few major stops along the way.
Part of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, the Wuhan-Guangzhou section was officially put into operation on December 26, 2009. The history of China's bullet trains was opened into a new page. After the launch of the high-speed rail, passengers are able to take bullet trains very conveniently, just like taking buses.
The coaches are modern and air-conditioned. First-class seats (soft seats) and second-class seats (hard seats) are available, while for some long-distance overnight trains, such as Beijing/Shanghai, there are soft-sleepers available. The washrooms are relatively clean, with closestools.
• Z train – Direct Express (Zhida)
The second fastest (160 km/hr or 99.4 miles/hr) in China, though its name implies “non-stop”, some do have several stops along the way, but only at major stations. The coaches are modern and air-conditioned. They are usually overnight trains, so there are usually only sleepers (hard/soft) available, while some only have soft-sleepers available. The trains serve main cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Wuhan, Shenzhen, as well as Hangzhou and Ningbo.
• T train – Express Trains (Tekuai)
T trains run at 140 km/hr or 87 miles/hr, and have limited number of stops along the way, at major cities or some junctions. All the major cities with railways can be reached by taking T trains. The coaches are modern and air-conditioned. Both seats (hard/soft) and sleepers (hard/soft) are available
• K train – Fast Trains (Kuaisu)
K trains run at 120 km/hr or 74.6 miles/hr, and stop at more stations than the T trains. Besides stopping at cities, they will also stop at main counties along the way. Both seats (hard/soft) and sleepers (hard/soft) are available. The coaches are not so modern and clean as those mentioned above, and air-conditioning is not always on, but they are still tolerable.
• Ordinary Train
It is named by 4 numbers, such as train 1461(Beijing-Shanghai) and train 1363(Beijing-Chengdu). It always stops at every little town on the way, therefore it is the slowest train and the ticket is the cheapest in China. It always delays. Most of them aren’t equipped with air condition.
