China tests world's first 35,000-ton multi-unit hook-free train

The world's first 35,000-ton, hook-free group train completed a successful trial run in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday.

It marked the first time that a heavy-haul multi-unit freight train was able to run in coordination relying solely on wireless signals without mechanical hooks.

The crux of the test was to speed up and brake seven units of freight trains each weighing 5,000 tons simultaneously without collision or disconnections by only using China-developed wireless signal smart system rather than traditional mechanical hooks.

The wireless signal system was jointly developed by China Shenhua Energy Company and other institutions.

This successful trail operation means that China could greatly enhance its freight transport capability, and also provide a new Chinese technical solution for the world's rail freight.