China D-series Trains

It comes as a big surprise to many travelers that there is a kind of train looking like “Animal” - sometimes it looks like “Lizard”, sometimes it looks like “Hairtail”, sometimes it looks like “Rabbit”, sometimes it looks like “Donkey” and sometimes it looks like “Snake”…How interesting, isn’t it? The train is called "D-class" high speed train which belongs to Hexia Hao (simplified Chinese: 和谐号; literally: Harmony).

Are you curious about how fast is this "animal" moving in China’s railway network? Want to figure out what are the main difference between the D trains and G trains, and D trains and normal trains? Yearn for some highlighting routes to experience the modern, clean and comfortable D trains with idyllic rural scenery passing by? This article will tell you everything about China High Speed Train - D Train! Read now!

D Trains - Electric Multiple Units (EMU) & Second Fastest High Speed Train in China

D-class train, (Dongche, 动车), is the second fastest high speed train usually running at a speed from 200km/h to 250 km/h, with highest speed of 250 km/h. It is the earlier generation CRH (China Railway High-speed), mostly used on the popular rail lines connecting more stations and intermediate cities. Some overnight D trains have soft sleeper class.

D Train Quick Facts & Basic Equipment

Rolling Stock of D-Class Train

You may have already taken different kinds of high speed trains, but the train every time you took is in different color and shape? You may have found that there are different types of D-class high speed trains, want to make clear and know them further? Let’s check together!

D trains are the normal electric multiple units (EMU), running on fast rail and some on high speed rail. D trains are mostly used CRH1, CRH2 (except CRH2C), CRH3A, and CRH5 (“A” stands for 8-car, “B” stands for 16-car version, “C” stands for the highest speed of the set, “E” stands for sleeper version, and “G” stands for resist high plateau and cold temperature.).

CHR1: produced by Bombardier Transportation's joint venture Sifang Power (Qingdao) Transportation (BST).

- CRH1A: nicknamed "Metro", sets consists of 8 cars; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h;

- CRH1B: nicknamed "Bread", a modified 16-car version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h;

- CRH1E: nicknamed "Lizard", a 16-car high-speed sleeper version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h;

CHR2: nicknamed "Hairtail", derived from E2 Series 1000 Shinkansen.

- CRH2A: In 2006, China unveiled CRH2, a modified version of the Japanese Shinkansen E2-1000 series. An order for 60 8-car sets had been placed in 2004, with the first few built in Japan, the rest produced by Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock in China.

- CRH2B: a modified 16-car version of CRH2; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h

- CRH2E: a modified 16-car version of CRH2 with sleeping cars

CRH3A: nickname "Rabbit", derived from Siemens ICE3 (class 403); 8-car sets; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h

CRH5: nicknamed “Donkey”, derived from Alstom Pendolino ETR600 in French.

- CRH5A: 8-car sets; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h. The temperature range can be around ±40℃.

- CRH5G: maximum operating speed of 250 km/h. It is called the “Cold Donkey”, mostly used in Northeast and Northwest of China.

- CRH5E: a 16-car high-speed sleeper version; maximum operating speed of 250 km/h. It belongs to the type to overcome cold weather and high plateau.

The Main Differences between D, G and C Trains

1. Designed Speeds & Seat Classes:

Advice from Our Experts: If G trains and D train are available for the same route and travel lengths are much different, you’d better choose G trains to travel in a shorter time; while, for travelers who are in budget, taking D trains especially the overnight train to save accommodation fee would be a good idea. Here is our most popular 6 Days Beijing Shanghai High Speed Train Tour you can experience the fast and latest high speed G trains in China!

2. Ticket Price:

In normal circumstance, the price of D trains is cheaper than G trains. For example, you can take D, G and C train going from Chongqing to Chengdu. Prices are as listed:

From the above table, you can conclude that if you take a second class seat on a D train, you can save about 30%~40% compared with G train. If you select a first class seat on a D train, you can save half cost compared with G train. While, the price of C train is between the two.

Advice from Our Experts: If G trains and D trains are available for the same route and travel lengths are similar, you can choose a D train and its first class seat for your trip.

3. Stations:

For D class, the long distance trains are serving more stations & intermediate cities. While, for G class, the long distance trains are serving fewer stations and mostly major cities.

4. Rolling Stock & Railway Track:

D trains are mostly used CRH1, CRH2 (except CRH2C), CRH3A, and CRH5. And G trains are mainly used CRH2C, CRH380, CR400AF, CR400BF, etc. The D-class high speed trains are running on the ballast track and G-class high speed trains are running on the ballast less track.

5. Facilities:

There is no doubt that D trains and G trains are modern, clean and comfortable. With different technology and generations, G trains (especially Fuxing trains) are comparatively more advanced than D trains. E.g. Fuxing train is more spacious compared with other high speed trains in China. The height of Fuxing Hao increased to 4050 millimeters, therefore, the seats are more spacious and the interior noise is smaller. The biggest feature is that Wi-Fi is available to use the whole journey and travelers can surf the Internet without barriers.