China's first batch of carbon fiber freight trains roll off production line

(ECNS) -- China's first batch of independently developed carbon fiber freight trains with heavy load capacity officially rolled off the production line on Tuesday in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Six freight trains, with a load capacity of 82 metric tons and a volume of 94.3 cubic meters, will be used for coal transport, according to a CCTV report.

With excellent corrosion resistance, carbon fiber is 3-5 times stronger than steel, while weighing only one-fifth as much.

Thanks to the light material of carbon fiber, these freight trains have a tare weight of only 18 metric tons, compared to the 24 metric tons of a steel counterpart, allowing them to carry an extra 6 metric tons of cargo, according to China Energy Railway Equipment Co., Ltd of CHN Energy.

Featuring a bottom-opening door, the train allows the freight car to unload cargo while in motion, improving efficiency by three times compared to traditional coal unloading methods. With this design, it takes only 20 seconds to empty the entire train.

This train also features a self-powering device, generating electricity through wheel rotation as the vehicle moves.

According to China Energy Railway Equipment Co., Ltd the carbon fiber freight trains are maintenance-free for their entire 25-year lifespan.