‘China freight train’ in first trip to Barking England

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

 

China has launched a direct rail freight service to London, as part of its drive to develop trade and investment ties with Europe.

China Railway already runs services between China and other European cities, including Madrid and Hamburg.

The train will take about two weeks to cover the 12,000 mile journey and is carrying a cargo of clothes, bags and other household items.

It has the advantage of being cheaper than air freight and faster than sea.

The proliferation of routes linking China and Europe is part of a about strategy launched in 2013 aimed at boosting infrastructure links with Europe along the former Silk Road trading routes.

London will become the 15th European city to join what the Chinese government calls the New Silk Route.

The service will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany Belgium and France before arriving at Barking Rail Freight Terminal in East London, which is directly connected to the High Speed 1 rail line to the European mainland.

Because of the different railway gauges involved, a single train cannot travel the whole route and the containers need to be reloaded at various points.

The Chinese government is keen to boost its economy in the face of slowing export and economic growth.

**LINK**

Edited By Ady1 on 03/01/2017 14:38:02

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

[Gordon Smith 1Participant @gordonsmith1]

Who opens the doors?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> Because of the different railway gauges involved, a single train cannot travel the whole route and the containers need to be reloaded at various points.

Loading gauge not track gauge, I assume?

neil

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

No, track gauge. Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus use 5' 0" gauge. Both Europe and China use Standard gauge.

See **LINK** for more info…

John

Edited By Journeyman on 03/01/2017 17:02:13

Edited By Journeyman on 03/01/2017 17:03:46

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Now 1520mm apparently (4' 11 27/32" ). Russian Railways re-defined 5ft.

 

Edited By David Jupp on 03/01/2017 17:04:59

[JAParticipant @ja]

When is the China to Europe motorway going to be built? It was planned years or decades ago.

I imagine the largest problem the Chinese had was getting clearance to run through the Channel Tunnel. I believe the German Railways have been trying to operate a service from London for years.

JA

Edited By JA on 03/01/2017 17:17:18

[JAParticipant @ja]

Posted by David Jupp on 03/01/2017 17:04:43:

Now 1520mm apparently (4' 11 27/32" ). Russian Railways re-defined 5ft.

Edited By David Jupp on 03/01/2017 17:04:59

That reminds me of the metric thread M6.35 x 1.27 x 55degrees that appeared in German catalogues.

JA

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

When will the passenger service start? Could be a trip to rival the Trans-Siberian.

Edited By Hopper on 04/01/2017 08:31:13

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Posted by Journeyman on 03/01/2017 16:59:55:

No, track gauge. Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus use 5' 0" gauge. Both Europe and China use Standard gauge.

See **LINK** for more info…

John

Edited By Journeyman on 03/01/2017 17:02:13

Edited By Journeyman on 03/01/2017 17:03:46

Track gauge and loading gauge actually. I would think the route to Barking is cleared for W10.

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