[IMAGE]BombardierChinaVeryHighSpeedFull.jpg[/IMAGE] On Monday, Bombardier Transportation announced that its Chinese joint venture, Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd., has been selected by the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR) to supply 80 Zefiro 380 very high-speed trains (1,120 cars) for the country’s rapidly growing high-speed rail network.

The contract, including 20 eight-car trainsets and 60 sixteen-car trainsets, is valued at an estimated $4 billion. Bombardier’s share of the contract is estimated at $2 billion. The first train is scheduled for delivery in 2012 with final deliveries expected in 2014.

The new trainsets will be an integral part of an evolving high-speed rail capability in China, which is developing more than 3,728 miles of new high-speed lines to create one of the most advanced high-speed rail networks in the world. The trains, with maximum operating speeds of 236 mph, are based on Bombardier’s next-generation Zefiro high-speed rail technology, and powered by a highly energy efficient Bombardier Mitrac propulsion and control system.

The Zefiro 380 trainsets will also incorporate Bombardier’s advanced ECO4 energy saving technologies to create best-in-class energy and operating efficiencies. Bombardier launched its ECO4 technology package in 2008 as part of an ongoing focus to extend rail’s position as the most sustainable form of transportation in the world.