Beijing's new subway trains kicked off their no-loading 5,000 kilometer trial runs on Wednesday.

The trial runs will help prepare the city's brand-new subway trains for their formal operation on No. 1 and No. 2 lines before the Beijing Olympics.

Each compartment of the new stainless steel subway trains is 19 meter long and 2.8 meter wide, with a loading capacity of 1,820 people. Trains run on the No. 1 line have darker red floor and brighter yellow seats. While trains that run on the No. 2 line have light blue floor and blue seats.

The subway trains are also equipped with Liquid Crystal Display, or LCD monitors which will carry live on-board news broadcasts and subway information. Passengers will be able to watch sports competitions via these LCDs during the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games.

The inside of the new subway train to be running on No.1 Beijing Subway line. [Photo: Beijingtimes]

The inside of the new subway train to be running on No.2 Beijing Subway line. [Photo: Beijingtimes]

The outlook of a new subway train to be running on No.2 Beijing Subway line. [Photo: bjd.com.cn]

(CRIENGLISH.com September 6, 2007)