CRRC marks historic achievement with Argentina light rail train order

A new-energy light rail train, bound for export to Argentina, rolls off the production line on Tuesday at CRRC Tangshan Co in Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A new-energy light rail train that's to be exported to Argentina rolled off the production line on Tuesday at CRRC Tangshan Co, a major high-speed train manufacturer based in Tangshan, North China's Hebei province.

This marks the first time that China's new-energy light rail trains are to be used within a foreign country's transport system, according to its manufacturer.

The train will be used along a 43-kilometer rail line and serve the scenic spots of Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy province in the South American nation.

It can run at a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour with a passenger capacity ranging from 72 to 388. With electric locomotives at both ends, it allows for two-way driving, the company said.

Fully battery-powered, the train will make full use of the abundant solar energy resources in Jujuy.

"I hope that the train will help boost tourism in Jujuy province and help Argentina become a leader in green economy among Latin American countries," Zhou Junnian, chairman of the board of CRRC Tangshan Co, said during a product launch ceremony on Tuesday.

The company signed the train project with authorities of Jujuy in May last year and began making the train in October.

During the ceremony, guests from Argentina took a test ride on the new train and gave it high praises, including those on its wide open views and intelligent systems.

The appearance of the train is designed for the sporting features of the spectacular valley in the scenic area. Its windows, with wide angle sightseeing functionality, are perfectly designed for tourists during their journeys, said the Chinese company.

The train also boasts a smart perception system with multiple functions like facial recognition, remote starting, automatic detection and smart temperature adjustments.

Via a human-computer interactive terminal, passengers can look up routes, timetables, platform maps and carriage layouts, it said.