At 7:32 a.m. on September 2, the first trial run train, G5432, departed Taohuadian Station and ran along the Hefei-Xinyi Railway toward Sixiandong Station to test timetable parameters. This marked the successful completion of joint commissioning and testing of the Hefei-Xinyi Railway’s Anhui section and the official start of its trial operation phase.

As a key pre-opening procedure for a newly built high-speed railway, the trial operation follows the test program and generally lasts no less than one month. It includes tests such as timetable parameter verification, fault simulation, emergency rescue drills, and timetable-based running trials. These tests simulate the railway’s formal operational state and provide a comprehensive “live” assessment of high-speed rail transport organization, train dispatching and departures, service frequency, equipment condition, and other aspects—providing a scientific basis for formal opening. After the Hefei-Xinyi Railway Anhui section completes this trial operation, additional project tests will be carried out, and the section is expected to meet conditions for opening and operation by the end of this year.

The Hefei-Xinyi Railway starts in Hefei City, Anhui Province, passes through Dingyuan County, Fengyang County, Mingguang City, Wuhe County, and Sixian County in Anhui, then through Sihong County and the urban area of Suqian City in Jiangsu Province, and terminates at Xinyi City. The line is about 324 kilometers long in total. The Anhui section comprises 198 kilometers of newly built track, designed for 350 km/h operation, with six stations: Hefeixi, Badouling (passing track), Dingyuandong, Mingguangxi, Wuhe, and Sixiandong.

Construction of the Anhui section began in December 2021. In September 2024 beam erection was completed, in April 2025 track laying was finished, and in May the overhead contact system was installed and the section entered static acceptance. As of August 25, the Anhui section had run 664 test trains of various types, covering a total inspected mileage of 52,735 km. The comprehensive inspection train reached a maximum test speed of 385 km/h. All joint commissioning and testing tasks were completed safely, with high quality and efficiency, and the project has successfully moved into the operational test stage.

Once completed and opened, the Anhui section of the Hefei-Xinyi Railway will further improve the national high-speed rail network layout and will be of significant importance for promoting coordinated development of the Wanjiang city belt and the Huaihe River ecological-economic belt, supporting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and advancing integrated, high-quality development of Yangtze River Delta.

Source: anhuinews.com