Harbin–Qiqihar intercity railway

The Harbin–Qiqihar intercity railway, also known as the Haqi Passenger Dedicated Line, is the China’s most northerly high-speed railway. It opened for revenue service on 17 August 2015, connecting the two principal cities in Heilongjiang province, Harbin and Qiqihar.[1][2]

Harbin–Qiqihar intercity railway
Overview
Native name哈齐客运专线
StatusOperational
LocaleHeilongjiang Province, China
Termini
Stations8
Service
Services1
Operator(s)China Railway Harbin Group
Technical
Line length281.5 km (175 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Operating speed250 km/h (155 mph)
Route map

Harbin–Qiqihar intercity railway and connections
Qiqihar–Bei'an railway
Harbin–Qiqihar intercity railway
Qiqihar
Qiqihar South
Harbin–Manzhouli railway
Damintun
Siping–Qiqihar railway
Hongqiying
Yantongtun
Dorbod
Gaojia
Lamadian
Tangliao–Ranghulu railway
Daqing West
Daqing
Daqing East
Wolitun
Anda
Yangcao
Song
Shangjia
Zhaodong
Jiangjia
Limudian
Duiqingshan
Wanle
Harbin North
Miaotaizi
Harbin–Bei'an railway
Sankeshu line
Harbin–Jiamusi railway
Harbin–Mudanjiang intercity railway
Short section of mixed line
Harbin
Harbin–Suifenhe railway
Harbin West
Beijing–Harbin high-speed railway
Beijing–Harbin railway
Mixed traffic lines
Passenger dedicated lines (High speed)

Operating at up to 250 km/h (155 mph), the high-speed trains have cut the fastest journey time between the cities from 3 h to 85 min. Under construction since 2009, the 286 km (178 mi) line has intermediate stations at Harbin North, Zhaodong, Anda, Daqing East, Daqing West and Dorbod (formerly known as Taikang). It is expected to carry around 8 million passengers a year.[1]

The railway is operated with a fleet of 28 CRH5A trainsets which have been modified to cope with the region's severe winter conditions, where temperatures can fall as low as -40°C. Average temperatures for January are reported to be -19.2°C in Qiqihar and -18.3°C in Harbin.[1][3]

Route

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The railway begins at Harbin railway station and progresses alongside the existing conventional lines to the right adjacent to the Songhua River. After crossing on the Songhua River Bridge, the line reaches Harbin North railway station, newly constructed as part of the line. The line continues alongside the existing conventional Harbin–Manzhouli railway through the suburban areas, progressing through Hulan District before entering Zhaodong. Afterwards it continues beside the Harbin–Manzhouli railway north-west to Anda and Daqing finally diverging to terminate in Qiqihar.

Stations

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Harbin, Harbin North, Zhaodong, Anda, Daqing East, Daqing West, Dorbod and Qiqihar South.[4][5]

History

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The line was planned as part of the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" and was originally proposed in 2006.[citation needed] Construction started in 2009 and the line opened on 17 August 2015.[1]

Controversy

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Original plans called for the demolition of nearly century-old Ji Hongqiao, causing Harbin conservation experts and the public to bring attention to the issue, with some people and experts recommending design changes, related to heritage protection.[6]

The original design of the project planned to demolish and rebuild the century-old railway bridge at Binzhou, through the joint efforts of conservation workers and volunteers, they eventually changed the original design, retaining the old bridge and a new railway bridge for the Harbin–Qiqihar intercity railway.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Northernmost PDL opens in Heilongjiang". Railway Gazette. Railway Gazette. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  2. ^ Xuefei, Tian; Huiying, Zhou. "High-speed rail to open after 6 years of challenges". China Daily. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  3. ^ "哈齐高铁客专开通 "长客造"向北飞驰再创纪录". 163.com (in Chinese). August 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "Search for train number e.g. D7905". Chinese Railways. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Search for train number e.g. D7905". China Passenger Train Maps. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  6. ^ "东北网:霁虹桥是否应该拆?". dbw.cn (in Chinese).
  7. ^ "大话哈尔滨:永远的滨洲铁路桥" (in Chinese). January 31, 2010. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010.