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【summary】

　　Established in 2002 and located in northeastern Beijing, the China Railway Museum showcases one hundred years of China's locomotive industry. It covers the development of China's trains, from steam engines to diesel trains, and also includes the modern electric subway train.

　　Before 1949

　　During the first 50 years of China's railway development, locomotives in China were mainly imported from other countries.

　　No. 0 Steam Locomotive

　　In the middle of the museum stands a solid and historic train. It is one of oldest trains in China's railway history. With a big "0" written on the front, it is widely known as the No.0 steam locomotive. Manufactured by Britain, it was first used in 1882 during early construction of the Tangxu railway, China's first official recognized railway which started construction in 1876, and was mainly used for transporting coal. It was actually once buried in the debris from the Tangshan Earthquake in 1976.

　　The "Mao Zedong" and "Zhu De" Steam Locomotives

　　There were two special locomotives used in the civil war and they were both named after two of China's founding fathers, Mao Zedong and Zhu De. In 1946, two broken Japanese steam locomotives were put into use after undergoing twenty-seven days of urgent and immediate repairs. As soon as the trains were renovated they were quickly used for transporting troops, supplies and necessary goods. They played a great role during the liberation war in Harbin, in northeastern China. After the civil war, the trains were renovated three more times in order to keep up with the development of China's locomotive technology. The two trains were retired from service in 1977.

　　After 1949

　　After the founding of the People's Republic of China, China's locomotive industry began to establish itself out of the ruins left behind by the previous wars. It went through three stages encompassing imitation, improvement and innovation.

　　At the beginning of the 1950's, China began utilizing new techniques and materials to copy old locomotive models which was the trend among locomotive construction.

　　Immitation

　　Guoqing Train (JF 2101)

　　JF 2101 is one of most famous steam locomotives from the 1950's. Lacking in materials and technique, workers from the Qingdao Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock Component Factory repaired and assembled the train based on an old Japanese steam engine. It was finished right before China National Day in 1950 and appropriately named Guoqing Hao (which refers to the National Day Celebration) in honor of the first-year anniversary celebrating the founding of the People's Republic of China.

　　Built in 1956, the SL model, which is on display at the museum, was the first passenger train showcasing a new style. The logic was simple; by increasing the number of carriages the train could hold more passengers. The train achieved great social and economic success as it reflected the progress within China’s steam locomotive industry especially in regard to design and assembly.

　　Improvements

　　RM 1001

　　Based on the SL steam model, the Dalian Locomotive Factory began to make technological advances and named the new model RM. RM 1001 was constructed in 1958 and belonged to the second generation of China's passenger railcars. The train could travel from 80 to 100 km per hour. The working conditions of the train were also improved. It was the first train to feature a closed driver's cabin.

　　Innovation

　　QJ001-004

　　The QJ model was a breakthrough in China's locomotive industry. It was the first goods locomotive designed and manufactured by China. In September of 1956, QJ001 was produced on a trial basis by the Dalian Locomotive Factory. Afterwards it was upgraded to the QJ004 model. This model soon went into large scale production. By 1988, 4,708 QJ locomotives had been manufactured.

　　Diesel-Electric Locomotives

　　By the late 1950's, China started to develop its own diesel-electric train. The Dong Feng (DF) and Dong Fanghong (DFH) were the two main models that emerged from this period.

　　The DF was China's first main line diesel-electric train, with could reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The DF was intended for passengers and designed to travel at a maximum speed of 120 km/h.

　　The DFH was China's first main line diesel-hydraulic train. Production began in 1964. The train was used on passenger railways. The locomotives could be used in a variety of ways, and were often used with a cab at each end.

　　With a comprehensive exhibition of trains reflecting the history of China's locomotive industry, the China Railway Museum provides visitors with the opportunity to witness first-hand how China's train industry has progressed; from its early roots and all the way into its modern era.