Chongqing–Changsha high-speed railway
| Chongqing–Changsha high-speed railway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Status | Operational |
| Owner | China Railway |
| Locale | China |
| Termini | |
| Service | |
| Operator(s) | China Railway High-speed |
| History | |
| Opened | 2022-09-26 (Changsha–Yiyang–Changde)[1] 2022-12-27 (Changde–Qianjiang)[2] 2025-06-27 (Chongqing East–Qianjiang)[3] |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 404 km (251 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Operating speed | 350 km/h (220 mph) |
The Chongqing–Changsha high-speed railway was originally envisaged under China’s “Eight Verticals and Eight Horizontals” plan as a single 339 km line designed for 200–250 km/h service. Its operational segments also form part of the broader Xiamen–Chongqing corridor. However, the corridor entered operation in three stages rather than as one continuous build:
- The Changsha–Yiyang–Changde intercity HSR (65 km at 350 km/h) opened on 2022-09-26.[4]
- The Changde–Qianjiang section (97 km at 350 km/h) opened on 2022-12-27.[5]
- The Chongqing East–Qianjiang segment of the Chongqing–Xiamen HSR (242 km at 350 km/h) opened on 2025-06-27.[6]
Through-running trains now link Chongqing and Changsha in approximately 3 h 53 min at up to 350 km/h.
History
Planning
In 2014-10, the State Council approved a direct Chongqing–Changsha HSR (339 km, 250 km/h) as part of the national “Eight Verticals and Eight Horizontals” network.[7]
Phased construction and opening
China Railway split the project into three interlinked contracts:
- Changsha–Yiyang–Changde: opened 2022-09-26.
- Changde–Qianjiang: opened 2022-12-27.
- Chongqing East–Qianjiang: opened 2025-06-27.
Current operation
These segments now form a continuous high-speed corridor, reducing journey times by over half.
Route
Chongqing East → Qianjiang → Changde → Yiyang South → Changsha West
See also
References
- ^ "常益长铁路益长段即将开通运营". 光明网. 2022-09-06. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "常益长高铁开通便利湘西旅游". 中国旅游报. 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "渝厦高铁重庆段正式开通运营". China Railway. 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "常益长铁路益长段即将开通运营". 光明网. 2022-09-06. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "常益长高铁开通便利湘西旅游". 中国旅游报. 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "渝厦高铁重庆段正式开通运营". China Railway. 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Go‑ahead for new Chongqing–Changsha line". International Railway Journal. 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2025-07-13.