On August 26, the trial operation phase of the Wuhan-Yichang Section of the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu High-Speed Railway commenced with Train 55402 departing from Yichangbei Railway Station. Construction of this section began in September 2021, with rail installation completed in January of this year and joint commissioning and testing starting in May. (Xinhua/Li Yaojun)

　　Spanning 313 kilometers, this section features bridges and tunnels comprising 85% of its length. Designed for speeds of up to 350km/h, it includes eight stations, seven of which are newly constructed. Once operational, this section is expected to reduce the travel time between Wuhan and Yichang from over two hours to approximately one hour, significantly enhancing connectivity between these two key cities. (Reporter/Deng Yuqin)