RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Railway is an important infrastructure of a country, a fundamental industry for the national economy, an artery of the comprehensive transport system. Here is a four-piece set of special stamps entitled `The Harmonious Railway Construction` and a souvenir sheet (this one I would like to have).

Rail transport is the most commonly used mode of long-distance transportation in the People´s Republic of China. Almost all rail operations are handled by the Ministry of Railways, which is part of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. By the end of 2010, the operating rail network traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total length of 91,000 km (56,545 mi).

The two main categories of conventional Chinese locomotives are the Dongfeng diesel locomotives and the Shaoshan electric locomotives. In the first decade of the 21st century the railways of China began to import and produce AC-DC-AC transmission electric locomotives; the most numerous of these are the HXD series "Harmony" (Hexie Hao) locomotives for freight work, of which over 3000 were ordered. Most modern trains, for example for the China Railway High-Speed service, are either imported or produced in China using technology transfer agreements.

The sixth great railway speed acceleration

High-speed rail services were introduced in 2007 and are operated using CRH trains. These run on existing lines that have been upgraded to speeds of up to 250km/h and on dedicated high speed track up to 350 km/h.

Title: The Harmonious Railway Construction

Date of Issue: 28 December 2006

Country: China

Denominations: 4 x 1,20 yuan + 6 yuan

Source: www.cpi.com.cn