Train carries Czech beer and crystal to China

The first eastbound container service from Praha to Yiwu in China’s Zhejiang province left the Metrans container terminal at Praha-Uhříněves at 11.35 on July 19, carrying 40 wagons loaded with 80 containers of export goods including beer, crystal glass and automotive parts with a total value of US$5m.

The 40 ft containers are expected to cover the 11 000 km route via Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan in 16 days, with transhipment to and from 1520 mm gauge wagons at the Poland/Belarus border and at Dostyk on the Kazakhstan/China border.

The YXE CR Express service has been organised by a Czech subsidiary of China‘s Yiwu Timex Industrial Investment Co, with other participants including CR Express, China Railway Container Transport Co, China Centrum Czech Republic and ČD Cargo.

The partners hope this will mark the start of a regular direct service between the countries.