On April 13, the power-centralized “Fuxing” and “Lancang” EMUs developed by CRRC Dalian commenced their bidirectional operations between Kunming South (Kunmingnan) Station and Vientiane Station, marking the official launch of international passenger train service on the China-Laos Railway.
The “Fuxing” and “Lancang” EMUs have a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h and are composed of 9 cars. Each EMU consists of one power car, one first-class car, one dining car, and six second-class cars, with a total capacity of 720 passengers. Each set of seats is equipped with power sockets compliant with both Chinese and Laotian standards, while passenger information displays, announcements, and service signs are available in Chinese, Laotian, and English.
To cater to cross-border demands, CRRC Dalian has “tailored” its research and manufacturing processes to achieve free switching between Chinese and Laotian networks, time zones, and languages. The cross-border EMUs are installed with newly developed “dual-SIM and single-standby” radios to address the interconnectivity of communication networks between the two countries. During cross-border operations, drivers can switch between Chinese and Laotian network communication systems according to their location and communication needs. The EMUs are also equipped with a time zone switching function, which can be achieved through one-touch switching and accurate positioning and time calibration via the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. In addition, all display screens feature bilingual Chinese and Laotian texts and audio announcements, enabling language switching.
Considering the numerous tunnels and bridges along the China-Laos Railway, as well as the hot and rainy climate, CRRC Dalian has optimized the design of the cross-border EMUs. The EMUs are equipped with integrated pressure wave devices to improve their air-tightness. They are also outfitted with pressure protection devices in their air conditioning systems, enabling integrated control of the pressure protection systems and minimizing pressure fluctuations inside the trains when entering and exiting tunnels. Furthermore, the EMU’s sealing structure is optimized to enhance the thermal insulation of the driver’s cab, the throttling device and control logic inside the air conditioning units are improved, the air guide device in the driver’s cab is added, and the apparent temperature in the seating area is adjusted for greater ride comfort.
To ensure the safe and smooth operation of international passenger trains on the China-Laos Railway, CRRC Dalian has coordinated the operation and maintenance support work for the EMUs, by dispatching experienced technicians, commissioning engineers, and service engineers. Building on the “China-Laos Railway Guarantee Model,” continuous efforts have been made to deepen integrated after-sales services, optimize service layout, and establish a “one-line, two-station, two-point” work mode to ensure smooth information communication along the entire line.
