China Railway Train Numbering to Be Adjusted: New X-Prefix Added for Higher-Speed EMU Trains

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 16, it was learned from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. that national railway train numbers will be adjusted in two batches in late November and late December, including the addition of the X prefix, which will mainly be used for Fuxing EMU trains with a future maximum operating speed of over 350 km/h.

A relevant official from the Transport Department of China State Railway Group introduced that X is pronounced "Xin" (new), representing Fuxing EMU trains with a maximum operating speed of over 350 km/h, symbolizing "new speed, new products," with train numbers ranging from X1 to X9998. This reform will simultaneously implement the new version of the "Train Numbering Regulations," with the number of EMU passenger train prefixes increasing from 4 to 7, and the number of available train numbers growing by nearly 40%. After the train number changes, the operating sections and running schedules of trains will still be implemented according to the current operating diagram.

In recent years, the railway network has continued to expand, and the number of trains in operation has grown significantly. From 2014 to 2025, the number of high-speed EMU trains with speeds of 300 to 350 km/h increased from 1,018 standard sets to 3,149 standard sets, a growth of 209%. During peak transport periods such as the May Day and National Day holidays, the number of G-prefix trains accounted for over 90% of the available train number segment resources, and certain prefix letters and numerical number segment resources have become increasingly strained. This reform will expand number segment resources, improve the recognizability of transport products, and meet the needs of future expansion of train operations and the introduction of new lines, new equipment, and new products.

Regarding passenger trains, after the adjustment, the G and T prefixes respectively represent Fuxing EMU trains with a maximum operating speed of 350 km/h and EMU trains with a maximum operating speed of 300 km/h, while the K prefix represents EMU trains with a maximum operating speed of 200 to 250 km/h. The D, C, and S prefixes respectively correspond to power-concentrated EMU, intercity, and suburban (regional) passenger trains, while the Z, N, and V prefixes correspond to express and conventional passenger trains of different speed levels, and the Y prefix represents conventional tourist trains.

Regarding freight trains, after the adjustment, the prefix for freight scheduled trains will be uniformly changed to B, and EMU express freight trains will use the DH prefix.

According to the introduction, the train number adjustment will be implemented in two batches: in late November, the numbers of conventional passenger trains, tourist trains, and freight trains will be adjusted; in late December, the numbers of high-speed, power-concentrated EMU, intercity, and suburban (regional) passenger trains as well as EMU express freight trains will be adjusted.