Suifenhe-Grodekovo shuttle train

Suifenhe-Grodekovo shuttle train

Overview
Service type	International train
Status	Operating
Current operator(s)	CR Harbin
Route
Termini	Harbin
Stops	Grodekovo
On-board services
Class(es)	Hard seat only
Technical
Rolling stock	CR 22B coach
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Operating speed	Less than 40 km/h

Suifenhe-Grodekovo shuttle train, designated as 401/402 by CR and 401Э/402Э by RZD, is an international passenger service operated by China Railway. It runs between Suifenhe, a border city in Heilongjiang Province, China, and Pogranichny in Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation. The service was inaugurated on January 1, 1991, and is currently managed by CR Harbin

The train uses China Railway Type 25B passenger coaches and operates along the Binsui Railway and the Trans-Siberian Railway, covering a total distance of 27 kilometers. The journey from Suifenhe Station to Grodekovo Station takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and runs under train number 402 (in China) and 402Э (in Russia). The return trip from Grodekovo to Suifenhe takes 1 hour and 31 minutes and operates as train number 401Э (in Russia) and 401 (in China).

From 1991 to 2015, the train had accumulated over 450,000 kilometers in operation and transported more than 5 million passengers from both China and abroad.

Due to pandemic prevention and control measures, the service was temporarily suspended starting January 31, 2020. It resumed operations on December 15, 2024

Operation mode

The train operates daily with a scheduled journey time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, due to the route's numerous curves and small curve radii, the train runs at a relatively low speed—typically below 40 km/h. Additionally, frequent stops to yield to freight trains often result in delays of 40 minutes to an hour.

The train is hauled by a single diesel locomotive and usually consists of six hard-seat coaches. Extra coaches may be added depending on passenger demand, but the total number of cars must not exceed eleven.

In addition to the train attendants, the train is staffed with both a chief and deputy for each key role, including the train captain, locomotive driver, and rolling stock inspector. Upon arrival at Grodekovo Station, only the chief and deputy train captains are permitted to disembark, and they may only conduct work-related activities within a designated area—always accompanied by one another.

As there are no police officers assigned on board, border security and escort duties are handled separately by Chinese and Russian border personnel within their respective jurisdictions.

Beyond regular passenger transport, this train also serves a crucial function as a shuttle for Chinese and Russian railway personnel stationed at the international rail transit handover posts between Suifenhe and Grodekovo stations.

Train formation

The train uses 8 Type 25B hard seat coaches from CR Harbin. Since the China–Russia border section is equipped with mixed-gauge tracks—accommodating both standard gauge and broad gauge—the train can run directly through to Grodekovo without the need to change bogies.

Section	Suifenhe↔Grodekovo
Coach no.	1-8
Type	YZ25B Hard seat
Operator	CR Harbin

Loco shift

On the China–Russia border section, Train 401/402 is hauled by a Dongfeng 8 (DF8) diesel locomotive operated by CR Harbin. The locomotive crew is provided by the CR Harbin under the same depot, covering the route between Suifenhe and Grodekovo.

Section	Suifenhe↔Grodekovo
Loco Operator Shift	DF8 CR Harbin Suifenhe

Timetable

• Two hour difference between China and Russia

402/402Э				Stops	401Э/401
Train no.	Day	Arrival	Departure		Arrival	Departure	Day	Train no.
402	Day 1	—	10:00	Suifenhe	17:14	—	Day 1	401
↑ China（CST UTC+08:00） / Russia（VLAT UTC+10:00） ↓
402Э	Day 1	12:19	12:23	Rassypnaya Pad'	18:44	18:48	Day 1	401Э
402Э	Day 1	13:30	—	Grodekovo	—	17:43	Day 1	401Э