- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a major breakthrough for the global rail freight industry, China has successfully tested a wireless convoy system that allows multiple heavy-haul trains to run together without any physical connection. The trial, conducted on the Baoshen Railway in Inner Mongolia, linked seven freight trains, each weighing about 5,000 tonnes, using a virtual coupling system that relies only on real-time communication signals.
The combined load of the convoy reached 35,000 tonnes, roughly equal to three Eiffel Towers, and the trains ran in close formation while automatically adjusting speed and braking. Chinese state media said the technology could expand freight capacity by over 50 per cent without constructing new rail lines.
'Convoy Mode' For Trains
The control system, developed by China Shenhua Energy, a subsidiary of CHN Energy, mirrors the concept of ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) seen in automobiles. Instead of fixed mechanical hooks, the trains use a continuous stream of wireless commands exchanged between each unit and the ground control station.
In a statement, CHN Energy said the system uses “train-to-ground and train-to-train communication to integrate relative speed and absolute distance,” ensuring that each locomotive reacts instantly to changes in speed ahead. This dynamic control sharply cuts down braking distance and prevents separation or collision risks.
New Tech Could Save Billions In Rail Expansion Costs
Building new freight tracks is one of the costliest undertakings in China’s infrastructure sector. With freight volumes rising steadily, railway planners have faced increasing pressure to expand capacity. China carried more than 3 billion tonnes of cargo in the first three quarters of this year alone, according to China Daily.
The latest field test suggests China is moving quickly to deploy this system on major coal and cargo routes. By linking multiple trains into one digitally managed formation, operators can move more goods on the same tracks, cut delays and improve energy efficiency.
China has been expanding its rail links across Asia and Europe through services such as the China Railway Express. The new technology may help boost the “throat capacity” of busy junctions, speeding up entry and exit operations at large stations.
