Commencing Comprehensive “Real-World” Testing, the Full Opening and Operation of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-Speed Railway Enters Countdown

On November 23, The Paper learned from China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. that at 9:27 a.m. on November 23, the first trial operation train, G55505, departed from Shanghai Hongqiao Station, traveling along the newly constructed Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-speed Railway (hereinafter referred to as the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR) towards Huzhou Station to conduct parameter testing of the train operation diagram. This marked the commencement of the trial operation phase for the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR, with the full-line opening and operation entering its final countdown.
The trial operation primarily involves conducting tests such as train operation diagram parameter testing, fault simulation, emergency rescue exercises, and train operation tests according to the diagram, over a period of no less than one month, as required by the test outline. It simulates the official operational status of the line and conducts a comprehensive “real-world” inspection of high-speed rail transport organization, train reception and departure, operating frequency, equipment status, and other aspects, providing a scientific basis for the official opening and operation. The trains used in the trial operation are operated by revenue service EMUs, with each station along the route simulating passenger transport services.
Construction for the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR began in June 2020, with the entire line’s track laying completed in June 2024. Static acceptance checks started in August, followed by integrated testing and commissioning in September. Since the commencement of integrated testing and commissioning, detection trains, comprehensive detection trains, and coupled EMUs have successively been put online, conducting round-trip detection tests and full-line pull-through tests at different speed levels. A total of 775 various test trains have been operated, with a total detection mileage of 52,463 kilometers. The comprehensive detection train reached a maximum test speed of 385 kilometers per hour, safely, effectively, and efficiently completing various integrated testing and commissioning detection tasks. The trial operation of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR will last for about one month, with an expected readiness for opening and operation by the end of December.
“After the opening of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR, it will greatly facilitate the travel of us Wujiang people in Suzhou.” Wang Xiaojun, a train attendant from the Shanghai Passenger Transport Section’s High-speed Rail Fourth Fleet and a native of Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, told The Paper that currently, Wujiang residents mainly rely on self-driving and taking passenger buses for long-distance travel. After the subway opens, they need to transfer to high-speed rail after taking the subway. “Now, if Wujiang residents want to go to Shanghai Hongqiao Station, it takes nearly 3 hours by subway and high-speed rail, which is also inconvenient.” “After the opening of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR, Suzhou South Station is only a 20-minute drive from Wujiang, and it only takes 20-30 minutes to reach Shanghai Hongqiao Station by high-speed rail. It will be much more convenient to travel to Shanghai or to surrounding cities in Suzhou,” said Wang Xiaojun.
The Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR originates from Shanghai Hongqiao Station, passes through Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, and terminates at Huzhou Station in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The total length of the line is approximately 163 kilometers, with a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour. It features eight stations: Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Songjiang, Liantang, Suzhou South, Shengze, Huzhou Nanxun, Huzhou East, and Huzhou Station. Among them, Shanghai Songjiang, Liantang, Suzhou South, Shengze, Huzhou Nanxun, and Huzhou East are newly built stations, while Shanghai Hongqiao and Huzhou Station are existing stations.
The Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou HSR is a major project for the interconnection and interoperability of infrastructure in Shanghai, Suzhou, and Huzhou, as well as a key project for the networking, supplementing, and strengthening of high-speed rail in the Yangtze River Delta. Upon completion and operation, it will further optimize the layout of Shanghai’s railway hub, improve the regional road network layout, effectively alleviate the transportation pressure on the Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou railway corridors, facilitate the travel of people along the line, and hold significant importance for building a “rail-based Yangtze River Delta,” promoting economic and social development along the line, and fostering high-quality integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta.