Source：BeijingService 2026-10-20

China's national railway network will overhaul its train numbering system in two phases, in late November and late December, respectively, during which new train numbers with the prefix X will be introduced. The X prefix will be used for Fuxing high-speed trains operating above 350 kilometers per hour.

Standing for "xin (新), meaning "new" in Chinese, the letter "X" symbolizes "new speeds and new services." Train numbers will range from X1 to X9998. The changes will coincide with the implementation of a revised set of rules for train numbering. The number of prefixes available for passenger multiple-unit trains will increase from four to seven, increasing the available train numbers by nearly 40 percent.

Under the revised system, the prefixes G and T will respectively denote Fuxing high-speed trains with a maximum operating speed of 350 kilometers per hour and multiple-unit trains with a maximum operating speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The K prefix will refer to multiple-unit trains with maximum operating speeds from 200 to 250 kilometers per hour. The D, C and S prefixes will stand for power-concentrated electric multiple unit, intercity trains and suburban (regional) trains, respectively. The Z, N and V prefixes will denote fast and conventional passenger trains in different speed categories, while Y will identify conventional tourist trains.

According to the railway authorities, the changes will be made in two phases. In late November, train numbers for conventional passenger trains, tourist trains and freight trains will be adjusted. In late December, the changes will cover high-speed trains, power-concentrated electric multiple unit trains, intercity trains, suburban (regional) trains and express freight services operated by multiple-unit trains, among others.