The Harbin Metro accommodates an average of 150,000 commuters with its underground rapid transit system that is considered to be a first in China. (Photo : www.railway-technology.com)

A new high-speed train service that utilizes cold-resistant technology will begin operation on Monday, linking some of the northernmost cities in China.



The rail system is expected to connect Harbin, the capital of northeast Heilongjiang, with Qiqihaer, the latter's second largest city.




Trains operating in the system are capable of transporting eight million passengers annually at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour, cutting travel time between the two cities from three hours to 85 minutes.



To cope with the region's average temperature ranging from 18.3 to 19.2 degrees Celsius, 28 trains were designed to endure severe cold up to minus 40 degrees Celsius.



"We have replaced some critical parts of the 5A train with cold-resistant materials, such as low temperature valves and grease which prevents the train from malfunctioning in cold temperatures," said Huang Lei, deputy head of the Technology Inspection Division of the Harbin Railway Administration High Speed Train Department.



Efforts to ease traffic congestion for a population of 10 million in the capital of Heilongjiang Province began as early as 2009 when the construction of the Harbin Metro kicked off.



Although construction was halted for a short time, it nonetheless continued in March 2010 and eventually the first line was inaugurated in September 2013.



The Harbin Metro accommodates an average of 150,000 commuters with its underground rapid transit system that is considered to be a first in China. It augments the Beijing-Harbin high-speed line, one of the longest high-speed railway lines in China.

