The Beijing–Hong Kong high-speed train (simplified Chinese: 京港高速动车组列车; traditional Chinese: 京港高速動車組列車) is a high-speed train service operated by China Railway Guangzhou Group (CR Guangzhou) on Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong HSR in China. Operated with G79/80 train numbers between Beijing West and Hong Kong West Kowloon on a daily basis, it is currently the fastest train service and the only high-speed train service between Beijing and Hong Kong, with an approximate travelling time of 9 hours.[1]

Beijing–Hong Kong high-speed train
京港高速动车组列车
京港高速動車組列車

A CR400AF-A EMU on G80 service stopping at Platform 12 of Beijing West Railway Station
Overview
Service type	G-series trains
Status	Operational
Locale	China
Predecessor	G79/82
First service	26 December 2012 (Beijing West ↔ Guangzhou South) 28 December 2013 (Beijing West ↔ Shenzhen North) 5 January 2017 (Beijing West ↔ Futian) 23 September 2018 (Beijing West ↔ Hong Kong West Kowloon)
Current operator(s)	CR Guangzhou
Route
Termini	Beijing West Hong Kong West Kowloon
Stops	Shijiazhuang Zhengzhou East Wuhan Changsha South Guangzhou South Shenzhen North
Distance travelled	2,439 kilometres (1,516 mi)
Average journey time	8h 58m (G79) 8h 56m (G80)
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	G79 (Beijing West → Hong Kong West Kowloon) G80 (Hong Kong West Kowloon → Beijing West)
Line(s) used	Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong HSR
On-board services
Class(es)	Business seat First class seat Second class seat
Catering facilities	Dining car Trolley refreshment service
Technical
Rolling stock	CR400AF-A
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Operating speed	350 km/h
Track owner(s)	China Railway

History

The G79/80 service dates back to 26 December 2012, when the Beijing–Zhengzhou section of the Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong HSR was opened. At its opening, the service was between Beijing West and Guangzhou South under the numbers G79/82. Later on 28 December 2013, the southern terminus of the service was extended to Shenzhen North and the number of the Shenzhen-bound service was changed from G82 to G80.[2]

On 5 January 2017, the service was extended to Futian.[3]

With the inauguration of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong XRL Hong Kong section on 23 September 2018, the southern terminus of the service was again extended to Hong Kong West Kowloon.[4][5]

On 30 January 2020 the service was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

On 28 March 2020, the service has restored between Beijing West and Shenzhen North, but service to West Kowloon station is still suspended.

Operations

The service operates on a daily basis under the following timetable:[1][7][8]

Train formation

The service is operated by 16-car CR400AF-A trainsets with the formation shown below. Car 3-14 are for second class seats with 3+2 seating. The dining car is located in Car 9 and wheelchair space is provided on Car 8. Car 2 and 15 are first class car with 2+2 seating. Car 1 is for business seats only and Car 16 is a hybrid of first class seats and business seats.[9]

Car No.	1	2	3-7	8	9	10-14	15	16
Type	SW Business	ZY First class	ZE Second class	ZE Second class	ZEC Second class/dining car	ZE Second class	ZY First class	ZYS Business/first class
Seating capacity	17	60	90	75	48	90	60	28 + 5

Previously used rolling stocks

• 16-car CRH380BL (from 26 December 2012 to early 2016)
• 16-car CRH380AL (from early 2016 to October 2017)
• Double-headed 8-car CR400AF (from October 2017 to June 2018)

• 
  A CRH380AL on G79 service leaving Beijing West in Feb. 2017
• 
  A double-headed CR400AF on G79 service leaving Beijing West in Oct. 2017
• 
  A double-headed CR400AF on G80 service at Zhengzhou East in Oct. 2017

References