China Railway comprehensive inspection trains
| Company type | Testing trains |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway inspection and testing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS), China Railway |
Area served | China, Indonesia (Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail) |
| Products | High-speed railway inspection trains (CIT series) |
| Owner | China Railway, China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS), Kereta Cepat Indonesia China |
China Railway comprehensive inspection trains, commonly referred to as CITs, are advanced high-speed testing trains utilized across China's high-speed railway system as well as Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail. These trains are predominantly owned and managed by entities such as China Railway, the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS), or Kereta Cepat Indonesia China.
Equipped with cutting-edge instruments, CIT trains assess various parameters including track integrity, wheel-rail interaction forces, catenary-pantograph communication, and signaling infrastructure. Their exterior typically features yellow stripes along with the inscription "高速综合检测列车" ("High-speed Comprehensive Inspection Train"). The majority of CIT models are adaptations of commercial train designs; for instance, CIT001 is derived from the CRH5, while CIT400A is based on the CRH380A. The CIT380A trainset evolved from a CRH380A prototype designated CRH2-150C. Some commercial trains converted for inspection purposes bear a "J" suffix (such as CRH380AJ), which stands for "Jiǎn," meaning inspection.
CRH5J-0501
CRH5J-0501 (also known as CIT001) is an 8-car trainset modeled after the CRH5 platform, functioning specifically as a testing train.
Commissioned by the China Academy of Railway Science on April 2, 2007, and jointly designed by CARS and CNR, this train carries the official title Code Zero Comprehensive Inspection Train. It sports a yellow and white striped livery, commenced trial operations on July 1, 2007, and officially entered service on June 6, 2008.
Formation
| Car Number | Role |
| CIT001-01 | Communication signal testing car |
| CIT001-02 | Conference car |
| CIT001-03 | Catenary inspection car |
| CIT001-04 | Data processing car |
| CIT001-05 | Track inspection car |
| CIT001-06 | Dining and rest car |
| CIT001-07 | Sleeping quarters car |
| CIT001-00 | Signal inspection car |
CRH2A-2010
CRH2A-2010 (previously known as CRH2-010A) holds the distinction of being China's inaugural high-speed test train and the first CRH2 unit produced by CSR Sifang. It was completed on July 31, 2006, and subsequently converted into a test train in March 2007. This unit is outfitted with ATP systems, signal parameter monitoring tools, wireless field surveillance, pantograph and catenary inspection equipment, track geometry evaluation capabilities, dynamic and acceleration sensors, along with circuit monitoring technologies.
CRH2C-2061
CRH2C-2061 (formerly CRH2-061C) represents CSR Sifang's first high-speed trainset designed for speeds of 300 km/h. Unveiled on December 22, 2007 as the CRH2-300 prototype, it achieved a peak test velocity exceeding 370 km/h on the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed line in April 2008 and later reached 394.2 km/h on the Zhengzhou-Xi'an route in December 2009. Currently configured as a 350 km/h inspection train, it is equipped to evaluate tracks, catenary systems, and signaling equipment.
CRH2C-2068
CRH2C-2068 (previously designated CRH2-068C) operates as a 350 km/h inspection train incorporating functions for track examination, dynamic performance analysis, and pantograph-catenary inspection.
CRH2C-2150
CRH2C-2150 (formerly known as CIT380A) is a 350 km/h comprehensive inspection train converted from the prototype CRH380A. Initially built as CRH2-150C in April 2010, it underwent modifications to serve as a CIT train following extensive trials and was delivered in November 2010.
Formation
| Car Number | Role |
| A00001 | Signal inspection car |
| A00002 | Communication and system testing car |
| A00003 | Office and rest car |
| A00004 | Office and rest car |
| A00005 | Dining and rest car |
| A00006 | Pantograph-catenary inspection car |
| A00007 | Dynamic systems inspection car |
| A00000 | Signal system and track inspection car |
CRH380AJ-0201/0202/0203/2808/2818
The CRH400A-001, originally named CIT400A, represents China's inaugural comprehensive inspection train capable of reaching speeds of 380 km/h, developed from the CRH380A platform. Produced by CSR Sifang, this eight-car trainset was finalized on February 22, 2011. It employs a 7M1T configuration and was engineered to support maximum test speeds up to 500 km/h.
Its development commenced in June 2010. Upon arrival at CARS on February 23, 2011, the train underwent adjustments to address testing challenges before entering operational service on March 3. Its primary role involves inspections along the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway corridor.
CRH380BJ-0301
The CRH380BJ-0301, initially designated CIT400B, is a CIT train collaboratively produced by CNR Tangshan and CNR Changchun. Derived from the CRH380CL design, it features a 6M2T formation with a specified maximum speed and operational velocity.
Formation
| Car Number | Purpose |
| ZJ10001 | Communication and signal inspection |
| ZJ10002 | Catenary and system examination |
| ZJ10003 | Track dynamics analysis |
| ZJ10004 | Equipment storage |
| ZJ10005 | Equipment storage |
| ZJ10006 | Dining and rest facilities |
| ZJ10007 | Sleeping quarters |
| ZJ10008 | Signal inspection unit |
CRH380AM-0204/CIT500/CRH500
In December 2010, CSR Group unveiled plans to develop a high-speed train for testing in 2011 with the objective of surpassing the existing speed benchmark set by France’s V150. This initiative resulted in the creation of the CIT500, later known as CRH380AM.
On December 22, 2011, the "Higher Speed Experimental Train" was completed and prepared for imminent trials. The trainset comprises six powered cars delivering a total power output that yields an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.
CRH2J-0205
CRH2J-0205, previously identified as CRH2-139E, is a comprehensive inspection train designed for speeds up to 250 km/h. Following its role as D301 during the 2011 Wenzhou train collision, China Railway Corporation converted it into an inspection vehicle. The reconstruction involved extensive refurbishment of cars 10 through 13, as well as cars 15 and 16, along with the addition of two new cars.
CR400BF-J-0511
The CR400BF-J-0511 model is derived from the CR400BF-C variant tailored for the Beijing–Zhangjiakou intercity railway. Notably, cars 3 and 6 are equipped with bogies featuring eddy current brake systems.
See also
- Doctor Yellow, high-speed inspection trains operating on Japan’s Shinkansen network
- TGV Iris 320, high-speed inspection trains utilized by France’s TGV system
- New Measurement Train, a British departmental train managed by Network Rail for track surveying purposes, based on the Class 43 HST