Wonder what it's like going over 200 mph on land?
I used to do that every night Rocky - sometimes twice in my youth!!! It not the speed that's the problem it the suddenly arriving at the end of the track before you are ready for it that was the problem!!!
Now that bullet train is something different. The journey from Guangzhou to Changsha via a stop at Hengyang was some 8 1/2 hours in time spent on the 'soft seat' sleeper train. The journey back by the new fast train took just 2 hours and 5 minutes and that included two stops on that journey. The cost was 320 rmb each. The stations on this line are all brand new and you can get an idea of what the new Changsha station looks like. Bright and airy and lots of seating - bet next week they will all be filled.
All signs are in Both Chinese and English as is the announcements. The platforms are clearly marked and you can only actually go onto the platform about 5 minutes befor the train arrives.
It is a long train and you are allocated a carriage and a seat number and you cannot sit anyone other than that numbered seat in the correct carriage. There is only one door on and off for each carriage.
The train is long and I believe there are twenty carriages at least. But on the edge of the platforms - again in Chinese and English are markings where each carriage should stop.
When you are allowed onto the platform there is an announcement made that says 'stand in line at the carrioage number you are allocated'.
And I must say I have never seen such orderly queues in my life. No pushing or shoving here - everyone queue up and takes there turn. Maybe because police travel on every one of these trains.
If you us ethe train make sur eyou are on the platform shortly after they announce that you can - the train may be at the styation for five minutes or more and that can include one or two minutes after the doors have closed - but once the doors have been closed they are not opened and I saw several people who left it too late and could not get on the train.
In the cars there is a good information system that regularly gives you speed readings - the fastest we went was 346 kph. But because the countryside is so open you do not have a sense of travelling that fast - that is until you reach a tunnel and you soon notice it then.
The journey is very smooth and you have aircraft type seat that you can stretch back on.
A cleaner cam through the car at least four time on the journey and cleaned the floor with a little broom.
It is easy to get to sleep on this train with no excessive noise and no vibration and shaking and rattling.
About 2 miles before a station it is announced on screen and over the speakers and it gives you plenty of time to get your cases together.
One thing to remember that the stations for these trains are well outside of the cities. In Changsha it cost 30 rmb to travel by taxi from the main railway station to the high speed station. And when you get to Guangzhou it costs 130 rmb (on the meter) to get from the North station to the main East station and Bus station.
I think that I would prefer to travel by this train than to fly if this alternative was available.
Photos - 1) Mrs Willy, 2) Mrs Willy from our balcony 3) Mrs Willy on Changsha Station 4) Mr and Mrs Willy, 5) Willy and his new Stepson 6) A scene inside Changsha Station
Willy
