Xi'an–Ankang railway
{{Short description|Railway line in Shaanxi, China}}
{{Infobox rail line
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| name = Xi'an–Ankang railway
西康铁路
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| native_name_lang = zh
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| image = 长安 西康铁路浐河桥之弯曲 02.jpg
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| caption = The Xi'an–Ankang railway crossing the Chan River in Xi'an
| type = Heavy rail
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| status = Operational
| locale = Xi'an and Ankang, Shaanxi, China
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| stations = 28
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| open = {{Start date|2001|10|31|df=y}}
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| operator = CR Xi'an
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| linelength_km = 267.49
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| tracks = 2
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1435 mm}}
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| electrification = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} (Overhead line)
| signalling = ABS
| speed_km/h = 160
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| map = {{Xi'an–Ankang railway RDT}}
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The Xi'an–Ankang railway or Xikang railway ({{zh|s=西康铁路|t=西康鐵路|p=Xīkāng tiělù}}), is a single-track, electrified railway line in Shaanxi Province of China, between Xi'an, the provincial capital, and Ankang. The line is {{convert|247.7|km|0|abbr=on}} long and was built from 1996 to 2001. As of June 2009, a second track is being planned for the line.(Chinese) [https://web.archive.org/web/20090619113225/http://news.xinhuanet.com/travel/2009-06/12/content_11529463.htm "西康铁路将建复线" Xinhua] 2009-06-12 Major cities and counties along route include Xi'an, Zhashui County, Zhen'an County, Xunyang County and Ankang.[http://www.jica.go.jp/english/operations/evaluation/oda_loan/post/2005/pdf/2-25_full.pdf Mitsue Mishima, "Xi’an–Ankang Railway Construction Project (1)-(3) (CXVII-P73, CXVIII-P73, CXIX-P73)" OPMAC] October 2004
History
Construction on the line began on 18 December 1996. The railway opened on 8 January 2001. The second track was completed and put into operation on 31 October 2013.{{Cite web|title=史上今日：2001年1月8日 新世纪诞生的第一条铁路新线—西康铁路通车运营-科普中国|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/science/2017-01/08/c_135960637.htm|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.xinhuanet.com}}
On 5 November 2018, a new double-track {{convert|35.5|km|mi}} long line from Dalingpu to Ankang was opened. This line bypasses Xunyang North railway station, shortening the distance between Xi'an and Ankang by {{convert|27|km|mi}} and increasing capacity. The line has a design speed of {{convert|160|km/h|mph}}.{{Cite web|title=西康铁路实现全程双线运行 输送能力有望达1亿吨-新华网|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/2018-11/06/c_1123673161.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807153359/http://www.xinhuanet.com/2018-11/06/c_1123673161.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2020|access-date=2020-12-31|website=www.xinhuanet.com}}
In December 2020, new direct services were introduced between Xunyang railway station and Xi'an railway station. Previously this journey required a change at Xunyang North. These services are operated by China Railway CR200J units.{{Cite web|title=好消息！西安-旬阳6日起开行“绿动车” 运行时间2小时左右 - 西部网（陕西新闻网）|url=http://www.cnwest.com/tszx/a/2020/12/04/19342301.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=www.cnwest.com}}
Line description
File:Longhai and Xikang Railways.jpg at Baqiao in Xi'an]]
The Xikang railway traverses the Qin Mountains, one of the geographic barriers that separate North and South China. Xi'an, the provincial capital is located in the Wei River Valley and Ankang in southern Shaanxi is located in the Han River (Yangtze River tributary) Valley. The Xikang line connects two of China's major east-west rail corridors, the Longhai railway and the Xiangyang–Chongqing railway and shortened travel distance between the two cities by {{convert|542|km|0|abbr=on}} and travel time by 14 hours. Due to the rugged terrain of southern Shaanxi, the line has {{convert|41.2|km|0|abbr=on}} of bridges and {{convert|139.6|km|0|abbr=on}} of tunnels including the Qinling Tunnel, which is {{convert|18.5|km|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.6|km|0|abbr=on}} underneath the mountain at its deepest point. The line was funded by low-interest development assistance loans from Japan.
The planned Xi'an–Ankang high-speed railway will connect Xi'an and Ankang in the future on a faster alignment with a maximum speed of {{Convert|350|km/h|mph}}.
Rail connections
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xi'an-Ankang Railway}}
Category:Railway lines in China