ZhenRail G280

The ZhenRail G280 (G280 meaning Gosok-ryeolcha 280 in Zhenian), formerly known as the EMU-280 at the time of development, is a Zhenian ZNX with tilting capacity primarily operated by ZhenRail since 1608, with the primary aim of replacing electric locomotive vehicles operating in semi-high speed, short-to-medium-haul routes throughout Zhenia. It is the third ZNX high-speed train to be equipped with high-speed tilting in mind, with aims of operating in non-dedicated tracks in certain situations. It is also the fist Zhenian high-speed rail to deviate from the conventional naming plan of ZhenRail, with its designation within ZhenRail service following the order of development instead of maximum operating speed.

First introduced to ZhenRail service on December 22, 1608, the ZhenRail G280 is expected to replace older ZNX trains serving in the G-Class category of service across all ZNX and semi-high speed lines. There have been several attempts regarding the introduction of the G280 into L-class service, which would in turn make the G280 the first high-speed train operating at over 250 km/h of speed to be introduced outside Tier 1 services. As of December 1610, there have been reports of the G280 undergoing testing in order to meet L-class service criteria, including the introduction of sleeper cars and high-speed stability.

History
The ZhenRail G280 was the primary result of the development of a semi-high speed train with enhanced performance in semi-high speed and existing conventional tracks, with the primary objective of serving short-to-medium-haul routes that were in the G-Class and partly the L-class categories of service. Despite extensive investment in railway infrastructure since the Third Republic, conventional tracks both in the Danguk Peninsula and the mainland, despite being responsible for a large portion of short-haul and medium-haul passenger rail service, remained significantly underfunded. The straightening of lines had been pushed back as a majority of new rail investment was dedicated to expanding ZNX coverage throughout the nation, especially after the November Revolution. There had been concerns on the significant divide between regions that were covered by ZNX service and those that were not, which became a prevailing problem in the nation towards the end of the 16th century AC.

Development of an train for high-speed rail had already been underway since the development of the G350, with consideration of the inherent advantages that electric multiple units had in high-speed rail.

Integration into ZNX network
The position the ZhenRail G280 was expected to assume was by itself controversial, with the G280 expected to be the first trainset to serve in more than one tier of service. A major concern regarding the status of the G280 was its speed: with a maximum speed of 286 km/h and an operating speed of 280 km/h, it was located outside the speed specifications of ZhenRail's Tier 1 standards, which specified an operating speed of over 300 km/h. At the same time, however, the designated operating speed for Tier 2 trains was around 250 km/h - a speed limit the G280 was already exceeding.

Regions that were expected to be served by the G280 upon its introduction, however, anticipated the formal integration of the G280 into ZNX service, with a strong belief that the existence of ZNX service would greatly change the outlook of the region as a whole. This was said to have been due to the symbolic significance of the ZNX in the nation, as it has been proven so with the introduction of ZNX service around the nation.

Usage
A vast majority of G280 trains in ZhenRail service have been fitted in a 4M2T configuration - that is, four dedicated passenger cars and two control vehicles - although there are a few units that have been fitted in the 6M2T configuration. The G280 is also capable of operating double-headed, which can immediately double the capacity of each set.

Operators
ZhenRail: ZhenRail operates the G280 under the ZNX brand, particularly in its G-class trains. The G280 also sees service within ZhenRail in the L-class trains as well, although trains operating at the L-class level are not included in the ZNX brand.