Image: AFP/Getty Images

In the eastern province of Shandong, a new experimental train was unveiled over the weekend. Built using plastic reinforced with carbon fiber and magnesium alloy, the train is capable of reaching speeds of up to 310 miles per hour.

Despite a recent collision between two high-speed trains in July that killed around 40 people, China continues to develop and improve upon the world’s largest high-speed rail system. The new train, which was unveiled by state-owned train maker CSR Corp., is made of plastic reinforced with carbon fiber and magnesium alloy to reduce weight and subsequently increase speed.

The train is not currently being used for commercial purposes and it is unclear when it may become available to the public. It consists of six cars and was unveiled at the same time that a new high-speed railway between Guangzhou to Shenzhen went into service. The railway is expected to extend all the way to Hong Kong by 2015, all despite China saying just last week that it will be cutting spending on its railways in 2012.

Source: Luxury Launches