The China Railway CRH5 (Hexie, 和谐号, “Harmony”) is an electric multiple‑unit (EMU) high‑speed train operated by China Railway High‑speed on northern and eastern routes of the People’s Republic of China. Developed through a technology transfer between Alstom and Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd., the CRH5 is based on the Italian ETR‑600 “New Pendolino” design, but it is a non‑tilting variant adapted for use on dedicated high‑speed lines.
Design and specifications
- Manufacturer: Alstom (initial units) and Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. (subsequent production)
- Family: Pendolino
- Formation: 8‑car trainsets (5 motor cars, 3 trailer cars; 5M3T)
- Length: 211.5 m (693 ft 11 in)
- Width: 3 200 mm (10 ft 6 in)
- Height: 4 270 mm (14 ft 0 in)
- Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) – operational; design speed up to 280 km/h in testing
- Power output: 5 500 kW (7 376 hp) supplied by Alstom IGBT‑VVVF inverters
- Electric system: 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary, collected via pantograph
- Braking: Regenerative and electronically controlled pneumatic brakes
- Weight: Approximately 443 t (436 long tons)
Capacity
- Fixed seats: 622 passengers
- Rolling seats: 570–586 passengers (depending on configuration)
Service history The CRH5 entered service in 2007. The first batch of 60 trainsets was ordered by the Ministry of Railways in 2004, with Alstom supplying three complete units from Italy and the remainder assembled locally from knock‑down kits at Changchun. Subsequent orders added 30 sets in 2009, 20 sets in 2010, and another 30 sets in 2011, bringing the total fleet to roughly 140 trainsets (1 120 cars).
Operators The CRH5 is operated by multiple regional railway bureaus under the Chinese Ministry of Railways, including Beijing, Shenyang, Harbin, Taiyuan, Jinan, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Lanzhou, Hohhot, and Ürümqi Railway Bureaus.
Lines served CRH5 units run on high‑speed and major conventional rail corridors in northern China, providing passenger service at speeds up to 250 km/h.
Successors Later high‑speed EMU families such as the CR300AF and CR300BF have been introduced to replace or complement the CRH5 on certain routes.
