China’s CRH locomotive overhaul base, with an investment totaling 3.67 billion yuan, began construction on Thursday in Binhai New Area, Tianjin.

The base will have an annual capacity of overhauling 700 and manufacturing 200 high power CRH locomotives a year after its completion in October, 2010.

CRH locomotives, developed independently by China, are said to be the best in the world, running at an average speed of 200 kilometers. They are expected be the main vehicles for China’s railway transportation.

“It is urgent we build an advanced maintenance and repair system as more and more CRH trains are put into operation. The Tianjin base aims to overhaul CRH trains running in northern and northeastern China and will play a significant role in modernizing China’s railway technology,” according to Wang Yong, spokesman for the Ministry of Railways.

According to the Ministry of Railways’ 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), the number of CRH trains will increase to about 1,000 in 2010. There are currently 200 in the country, most of which went into service in 2007.

The base will not only improve the efficiency and quality of overhauling high power locomotives and promoting innovation of railway equipment technology, but will also accelerate building an advanced equipment manufacturing industry in Tianjin, Wang added.

According to local officials, the base is being constructed in cooperation with the Ministry of Railways and the local government.

By Guo Changdong