The first cargo express train in North China's Shanxi province departed from Taiyuanxi Railway Station on June 30 and arrived in the county-level city of Houma approximately five hours later.

The cargo, which included rice, flour, oil, and beverages, was delivered to local stores and supermarkets the next morning, marking the opening of fast new logistics channels for the transportation of essential goods in the province.

Composed of 10 boxcars with a carrying capacity of 70 metric tons, the cargo express train operates just like a regular passenger train, at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

Running on two routes – Taiyuan to Yuncheng and Taiyuan to Datong – the express train completes its journey within six hours, 30 hours quicker than ordinary freight trains and ensuring next-day delivery of goods.

Song Junfang, general manager of Taiyuan Railway Logistics Center, said that the cargo express train also utilizes railway storage resources and bus stations within the province to reduce storage pressure and costs for cargo owners.

Furthermore, the launch of the cargo express train will create an efficient logistics network covering counties, cities, and villages along the route through intermodal transportation. This will significantly promote the flow of consumer goods to rural areas and agricultural products out of villages, thus facilitating the two-way circulation of goods.