READY TO GO: Hong Kong's first high-speed train stops at a CSR test track section (DOU XIN)

To China's largest locomotive and rolling stock manufacturer, the past two months have seen business soar as large orders from across the globe came pouring in.

CSR Corp. Ltd. announced on October 28 that it had signed a deal with the Indian New Delhi Gurgaon south extension line for 21 trains, which is the third deal made with India by CSR. The first train for the Gurgaon south extension line will be launched before March 20, 2015, and all trains will be delivered for testing before September 2015.

A week previously, CSR announced that its subsidiary CSR Zhuzhou Institute Co. Ltd. had received an order for 800 elastic components for 50 high-speed trains in Italy. This order makes CSR the biggest supplier of elastic components to the European rail traffic market.

On September 16, CSR announced a deal with the Malaysian Ministry of Transport, for an order of 10 trains of 60 new inter-city electric multiple units (EMUs) which have a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. As per the contract, the first train will be delivered in 24 months, with the remainder of the order to be completed within 33 months. This is the second export order of upgraded inter-city EMUs to Malaysia since 2010.

After the much publicized train crash in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province two years ago, China's train exports suffered a period of stagnation. The upswing in the CSR's export orders indicates the industry is making a comeback.

Hi-tech trains

Established in December 2007, CSR is a state-owned enterprise engaged in independent development, manufacturing and standard service of locomotives, passenger carriages, freight wagons, multiple units, rapid transit vehicles and related components.

Going public on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges in August 2008, Beijing-based CSR now has 19 wholly-owned or controlling subsidiaries in 11 provinces and municipalities across the country, and nearly 90,000 employees.

In China, there are two companies engaged in the research and development, as well as the design and manufacturing of high-speed trains—CSR and China CNR Corp. Ltd. According to figures provided by the two companies, CSR has achieved rapid growth in train exports, surpassing CNR in research and development, as well as manufacturing top-quality trains for all geographic conditions.

According to CSR's news releases, the trains designed for the New Delhi Gurgaon south extension line use corrosion-resistant, high strength and light aluminum alloy materials. Each railway compartment can save 20,000 kWh of power every year compared to similar trains, which is significant for India with its short power supply.

These trains are also in line with the "green and smart" trend and future development direction of the industry. It adopts a smart "double insurance" design for its door control, braking and signal systems, and light controls. These trains are compatible with other railway systems, too.

In consideration of the long operating distances, between stations and higher speeds, the designers of trains sold to Malaysia made improvements in vehicle safety, environment protection performance and human-oriented design, making it a more comfortable top-end inter-city EMU. All basic facilities have been furnished, such as a bar, toilets (including some that are disability accessible) and large-size luggage racks for long-distance tours.