IDA was commissioned by the world’s largest train manufacturer China Northern Rail, Changchun, in January 2012 for the exterior, interior and driver’s cab design of a new category of rolling stock for China, the High-Speed Metro. The work was completed over a 5-month period from initial concept design through to full detail 3D surface documentation. Two types of cars were designed based on a common platform: the A-Car for longer distance intercity use and the C-Car for shorter distance metro use. The new Rapid Transit cars represent China’s first High Speed Metros, reaching speeds up to160km/h.

IDA was chosen for this important inhouse project because of its wealth of experience in railway specific design projects which showed through when it came to presenting the concepts for the project and engaging with the CRC engineers.