Date: 11/03/2013

If Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin reckoned shaking up the department’s shambolic procurement system was a headache, he should spare a thought for the Chinese. The Communist Party has announced plans to dismantle its entire railway ministry, which employs more than 2m people, has debts larger than the Danish economy and is renowned for graft. In one of his last acts of state, China’s outgoing premier, Wen Jiabao, ruled that the Ministry of Railways should be split in two. The regulatory and operating roles will be separated to stamp out corruption at one of the country’s last major monopolies.

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China to dismantle its entire railway ministry

Telegraph

If Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin reckoned shaking up the department’s shambolic procurement system was a headache, he should spare a thought for the Chinese.

Related images

A CRH3C 16 car unit forming train G15 the 11.00 Beijing Nan to Shanghai Hongqiao on the Jinghu HSR. The line was designed for 380km/h running but has been slowed to 300km/h. The 11.00 with 2 intermediate stops at Jinan West and Nanjing South is timetabled to take 4h 55mins for the 1318km (819m) run and in the event was 2 mins early (av 168mph).
Location: Beijing Nan
Company: CR
11/12/2012 Mark Poustie

This Shanghi Maglev train covers the 30KM to Pudong Airport in 7 min 20 sec with a normal maximum speed of 433 km/h. Passing another train is quite an experience but otherwise it rides like a Pendolino. The train has a maximum service speed of 433Km/H or 268mph. A speed indicator is shown in each carriage [lower panel] and a speed of 311 mph was reached on a non commercial run.
Location: Shanghai
Company: Shanghi Maglev
07/03/2011 John Robin