Third high-speed train for the Express Rail Link arrives in Hong Kong via Huanggang

The third high-speed train for the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (“XRL”) project arrived in Hong Kong by land through the high-speed railway network from the Qingdao factory through to Shenzhen, and after completing a number of tests on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Section, finally to Hong Kong.

“The first two high-speed trains for the XRL project were delivered to Hong Kong from Qingdao by sea. Following the completion of track works in the Mainland Section from Futian to Huanggang and liaison with the relevant Mainland authorities via the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the third XRL train has arrived in Hong Kong directly from Qingdao via the high-speed rail network. This is one of the key milestones of the XRL project, marking full connectivity between the Hong Kong Section and the Mainland Section of the high-speed rail network. The Hong Kong Section is now connected with the National High-speed Rail Network,” said Dr Philco Wong, Projects Director of the MTR Corporation.

After completing thorough testing in the factory, the third XRL train was driven to Guangzhou. It then underwent testing of the traction and braking system, as well as compatibility testing of the signaling system and communications system along the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Section, to ensure that the train-borne systems are functioning well and that the train is fit for high-speed operation. The remaining six XRL train sets are expected to be delivered from the Mainland to Hong Kong later this year.

“Track-laying works and installation of overhead lines have been substantially completed. Overhead lines in the main tunnels and along parts of the tracks at West Kowloon Terminus have been energized. The signalling and communications systems of both the Hong Kong and the Mainland Section were connected on 5 July 2017. This allows the Operation Control Centres at the Shek Kong Stabling Sidings and in Guangzhou, which are respectively responsible for the operation of the Hong Kong Section and the Mainland Section, to be able to jointly monitor trains operating along the whole Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Section. The engineering teams of both sides are now ready for commencement of integrated testing and commissioning and cross-boundary dynamic tests of the XRL train sets,” continued Dr Philco Wong.

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mrs Carrie Lam and the Secretary for Transport and Housing Mr Frank Chan take a close interest in the progress of the XRL project. Upon the recent arrival of the third XRL train in Hong Kong, they visited the Shek Kong Stabling Sidings today (9 July) to examine the XRL train and to better understand the testing and delivery process and took the opportunity to talk with the project team, including engineers and the train captains, on the first train delivery by rail.

The XRL project is progressing according to schedule and was 94.3% complete by the end of June 2017. The Corporation will continue to press on with the project to meet the 3rd quarter 2018 target opening date.

MTR Corporation

MTR Corporation is regarded as one of the world’s leading railway operators for safety, reliability, customer service and cost efficiency. In its home base of Hong Kong, the Corporation operates nine commuter railway lines, a Light Rail network and a high-speed Airport Express link on which more than 5.5 million passenger trips are made on a normal week day. Another 4.9 million passenger trips are made on the rail services it operates outside Hong Kong in the Mainland of China, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia. In addition, the Corporation is involved in a range of railway construction projects as well as railway consultancy and contracting services around the world. Leveraging on its railway expertise, the Corporation is involved in the development of transit-related residential and commercial property projects, property management, shopping malls leasing and management, advertising media and telecommunication services.