Shanxi province on Nov 28 launched its 100th China Railway Express freight train to Europe and Central Asia this year, according to rail officials.

The cargo train with 50 carriages and 100 containers departed Zhongding Logistics Park in Taiyuan city, via Alataw Pass in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, bound for Kazakhstan. 

Officials said it was a special train assembled by Shanxi Jinou Logistics Co for Taiyuan Heavy Industry Railway Transit Equipment Co. 

Loaded with the company's manufactured wheel sets worth 22 million yuan ($3.13 million), with a net weight of 2,640 metric tons, the customized cargo train will travel 4,723 kilometers to the destination in 10 days.

Officials said it will save shave off 10 to 15 days compared with the other freight transport services, at much lower costs. That's because the specialist service avoids the time delays and extra costs incurred by multiple reshipments, marshaling and assembly. 

Shanxi has launched 160 China Railway Express cargo trains to Europe and Central Asia and opened eight operating routes via 22 cities in nine countries since 2017. 

During that period, 168,900 tons of goods, worth 2.12 billion yuan, have been transported in 8,639 TEU or twenty-foot equivalent units.