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China’s Ministry of Railways recently awarded a $281 million contract to joint venture partners Bombardier Transportation, Power Corp. of Canada, China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corp., and consortium partner Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. to build 361 cars for a new line to Lhasa, Tibet.

Expected to open in June 2006, the line will run between Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, and Lhasa.

Scheduled to be delivered between December 2005 and May 2006, the 308 standard and 53 tourist cars will feature oxygen systems and special UV protection to handle Tibet’s environment, which includes low temperatures and oxygen levels, and sand storms. Trains will reach an altitude of 16,000 feet.