Rain disrupts high speed rail in China

Date: 16/1/2012

Travel has been disrupted on China's high speed rail network due to bad weather.

Over the past few days, two lines have been hit by "extensive" delays, China Daily reports.

The country's Ministry of Railways explained the technical issues were caused by bad weather and with snow and rain forecast for the coming week, the problems may continue.

On Saturday (January 14th), more than 12 services on the high speed line route between Beijing-Shanghai were held up for as long as two hours.

The Ministry explained rain reduced the electrical insulation on the equipment on top of a Beijing-Shanghai train, "causing circuit breakers on the electrical supply to jump and the high-voltage equipment on the high speed train to switch off as a safeguard."

China unveiled its fastest ever train in December last year and although it is still in the prototype phase, it is capable of reaching speeds of 310mph.

Posted by Nick Anderson