Bombardier Zefiro high-speed Chinese train (high res)

Canadian plane and train maker Bombardier has announced it has been awarded a significant $2 billion contract to build 80 ultra high-speed trains for China.

Bombardier will build the Zefiro 380 trains that can travel up to 380 km/h.

Bombardier is scheduled to deliver the first train by the end of 2012 with all the trains being delivered by 2014.

Bombardier President and Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Beaudoin, said today, “We are very pleased to be delivering leading-edge very high speed rail technology through Chinese expertise and resources. This illustrates the strategic importance of delivering the most advanced rail technology for China from within China.”

China is pushing at expanding high-speed rail lines in the country and is currently on track at adding more than 6,000 km in the country.