The Lhasa–Nyingchi railway () also known as the Lalin Line (), is a single-track railway across the southeast Tibet, China, linking Lhasa and Nyingchi. It has a length of and a designed speed of per hour. The trains have been equipped with oxygen supply equipment. There are currently nine stations in the cities of Lhasa, Shannan, and Nyingchi that can handle both passengers and freight transportation.
Construction Located in a valley between Gangdis and Himalayas in southeast Tibet, over 90% of the tracks are at an elevation of more than above sea level. The railway crosses the Yarlung Tsangpo River 16 times and has 47 tunnels and 121 bridges. It is part of the under-construction Sichuan–Tibet railway that will connect Lhasa and Chengdu, capital of the neighboring Sichuan province. Lhasa-Nyingchi railway is the first fully-electrified railway in Tibet region. The rolling stock is the China Railway CR200J Fuxing series powered by both electronic motors and internal combustion engines, marking the complete coverage of Fuxing series to all provincial-level regions in China. The newly opened train route provides Nyingchi with access to railway services for the first time in history.
History On 4 November 2014, the National Development and Reform Commission approved the construction of Lhasa–Nyingchi railway. The Sangzhuling Tunnel () started engineering works on 19 December 2014. Construction began on 28 June 2015, and the track-laying work was completed by the end of 2020.
On 25 June 2021, the railway began operation, with the first train leaving Lhasa for Nyingchi at 10.30 am. Compared with roads, the railway reduces the travel time from Lhasa to Nyingchi from 5 hours to 3.5 hours, and cuts the travel time from Shannan to Nyingchi from 6 hours to more than 2 hours.
Rolling stock 160 km/h services use the China Railway CR200J trainsets. CR200J Plateau variant will serve the railway, and it's a type of bi-mode locomotive specifically designed for plateau operations. 31 sets of train in 12 car configuration is in service. A combination of diffusion and distributed oxygen systems are installed to help alleviate altitude sickness for passengers on the trip.
Stations English name Tibetan name Chinese name Connections Location Distance (km) Lhasa station Qinghai–Tibet railway Doilungdêqên District Lhasa 0.00 Lhasa South station Baide station Qüxü County Xierong station Lhasa–Xigazê railway Changguo station Gonggar County Shannan Gonggar station Jiedexiu station Zhanang station Zhanang County Zhaqi station Jinlu station Nêdong District Jiacun station Tsetang station Mingze station Sangri station Sangri County Baizhen station Woka station Bayu station Zangmu station Gyaca County Gyaca station Linda station Redang station Chongkang station Nang County station Nang County Nyingchi Dongga station Remi station Jiage station Mainling County Xiajue station Benzhong station Wolong station Lilong station Kangsha station Zharao station Mainling station Xuega station Gangga station Zhongshaba station Nyingchi station Ya'an–Nyingchi segment Bayi District 435.48
See also Sichuan–Tibet railway
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