Central China Railway
Railway | |
Founded | 30 April 1939 |
---|---|
Defunct | August 1945 |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | east-central China |
Services | Railway transport |
Total equity | 50 million yen |
The Central China Railway (Japanese: 華中鉄道株式会社, Kachū Tetsudō Kabushiki Kaisha; Chinese: 華中鐵道股份有限公司, Huázhōng Tiědào Gǔfèn Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī) was a
It ceased to exist after the Japanese defeat in the
Overview
While the North China Transportation Company was influenced heavily by its parent company, the
Routes
- Xinlonghua–South Shanghai
- Tianjiaan
- Huhang Line (滬杭線) - Shanghai–Hangzhou
- Jinghu Line (京滬線) - Nanjing−Shanghai
- )
- Nanning Line (滬杭線) - Nanjing–Wanzhi
- Wusong Line (呉淞線) - Shanghai–Paotaiwan
- Wusong Branch Line (呉淞支線) - Shanghai–Xinxing
- Wuyi Line (武義線) - Jinhua–Wuyi
- Zhegan Line (浙赣線) - Hangzhou–Jinhua
Services
In addition to the usual first, second and third-class passenger equipment seen elsewhere, the Central China Railway had fourth class carriages as well. These were newly built with the structure of a covered goods wagon adapted for passenger use, intended for use by poor Chinese farmers and seasonal workers. Conditions in these cars were remarkably poor, with passengers on two levels, but because the fare was very inexpensive, they were sufficient to the needs. Chinese were permitted to travel in first class if they paid the full fare, but Japanese were not permitted to travel in fourth class.
After the damage from the Sino-Japanese war was repaired, high-end direct services were put into operation in conjunction with North China Transport, such as the "Temma" and "Hiryū" limited express trains between Shanghai and Nanjing. In November 1942, this 311 km (193 mi) distance was covered in 5 hours 20 minutes, with an average train speed of 58.31 km/h (36.23 mph).
Rolling stock
When the Central China Railway was established, it suffered from a severe motive power shortage, as when the Chinese National Government forces withdrew, they destroyed a great number of locomotives, leaving only limited numbers of types inherited from nationalised railways, such as the
In 1939, sixteen
At the same time, JGR D50 193 was also converted to standard gauge and shipped to the Central China Railway. After the establishment of the PRC, it was classified ㄇㄎ16 (MK16), but was off the roster by 1955.[3]
Subsequently, the Central China Railway received newly built locomotives, such as the eight
Like the locomotive fleet, the Central China Railway's inventory of passenger carriages and goods wagons was left in shambles after the withdrawal of the Chinese army. As an emergency measure, 126 JGR carriages were converted to standard gauge and shipped to China. These were of the Oshi27730 (3 cars), Naro20700 (8), Naha22000 (35), Nahafu24000 (37), Oni26600 (5), Suro33 (9), Suha32 (22), and Suhafu32 (7) classes. From 1940, new passenger carriages and goods wagons were built for the Central China Railway to Mantetsu designs. Many of these remained in service with the China Railway after the end of the Pacific War.
Ten Kiha40000 and ten Kiha42000 class railcars were delivered for suburban services.
References
- ^ 華中鉄道株式会社設立要綱 (in Chinese)
- ^ 東亜交通公社 (Toa Transport Corp.) timetable, 25 January 1944
- ^ ISBN 7-113-04148-5(in Chinese)