With CRRC Locomotives Arriving in Santos, the TIC North Axis Modernizes Line 7 Ruby and Prepares the Intercity Train and the Metropolitan Train Between São Paulo, Campinas, and Jundiaí.
With a portfolio that makes it the world’s largest manufacturer of railway equipment, CRRC has just taken a concrete step in Brazil: the first locomotives and wagons from CRRC arrive in Santos to be used in the modernization of the Paulista rail network. The vehicles will operate directly in the TIC North Axis, a project that includes the operation and maintenance of Line 7 Ruby and prepares the ground for the Intercity Train and the Metropolitan Train.
By unloading this first batch on the coast of São Paulo, the partnership between the Chinese market and the state of São Paulo goes from being just an announcement to something visible on the tracks. The arrival of CRRC equipment in Santos symbolizes the attempt to bring to Brazil the most modern in railway technology, connecting Chinese expertise with the growing demand for passenger and cargo transport in corridors such as São Paulo, Campinas, and Jundiaí.
The Entry of CRRC into the Brazilian Tracks
According to those in charge of the project, the partnership with the Chinese industry is seen as a way to accelerate railway modernization.
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CRRC represents the Chinese industry in the endeavor, bringing accumulated experience in large networks and complex systems around the world.
By choosing a supplier with this profile, the TIC North Axis project reinforces the idea that it is not just about renewing rolling stock but about elevating the technical standards of operation, maintenance, and safety on Paulista lines.
The presence of CRRC in Santos acts as a benchmark for this phase, which is expected to expand as new batches are incorporated.
What Arrived in Santos: Locomotives and Wagons for Heavy Maintenance
At the terminal responsible for receiving the equipment, the first batch includes two locomotives, three hopper wagons, and one flat wagon with side protection.
These vehicles will not be used directly for daily passenger transportation but play a crucial role: ensuring the maintenance of the railway tracks of the TIC North Axis with greater efficiency and agility.
The hopper wagons are meant for transporting and laying track materials, while the flat wagon with side protection facilitates the safe movement of heavy equipment and components.
The locomotives, in turn, will be the driving force of these service compositions, allowing for scheduled or emergency interventions in strategic sections of the line.
After the CRRC equipment arrives in Santos, the next step is transportation to the support yard, where teams begin the preparation and integration process into the maintenance routine.
From Testing in China to Commissioning in Brazil
Before arriving in the country, the vehicles underwent a testing phase in China, designed to verify if the technical specifications were in accordance with the requirements of the TIC North Axis project.
This phase involved performance, safety, and compatibility tests with the standards defined by Brazilian operators.
Now, in Brazil, the phase of commissioning the equipment begins, when each locomotive and wagon is checked in detail, subjected to new tests, and integrated into local operational procedures.
The goal is simple and critical at the same time: to ensure a safe, effective, and stable operation over time, avoiding surprises when the vehicles are incorporated into the maintenance routine.
This entire process reinforces the idea that the arrival of CRRC in Santos is not just a logistical disembarkation but a carefully planned transition between factory, testing, and real use in the Paulista rail network.
TIC North Axis: Modernization of Line 7 Ruby and New Services

The TIC North Axis project encompasses three main fronts:
- Operation, maintenance, and modernization of Line 7 Ruby, which connects the capital to important municipalities in the metropolitan region.
- Construction, future operation, and maintenance of the TIM, the Metropolitan Train that will connect Campinas and Jundiaí, with stops in Valinhos, Vinhedo, and Louveira.
- Implementation of the TIC, the Intercity Train that will connect Campinas to São Paulo, with a stop in Jundiaí.
Within this framework, the vehicles arriving from CRRC in Santos will operate behind the scenes, but with a direct impact on the reliability of the system.
The better the track maintenance, the greater the train regularity, the lower the risk of interruptions, and the more competitive rail transport becomes compared to buses and cars.
The arrival of this batch signals that the TIC North Axis is entering a more concrete implementation phase, where construction, testing, and new equipment start to physically appear to the public.
What Changes for Passengers and the Interior of São Paulo
Although the first batch of CRRC material is aimed at maintenance, it is part of a larger machinery aiming at the expansion of passenger railway transport in São Paulo and the interior.
The combination of TIM and TIC promises to shorten travel times, create alternatives to the highway, and better integrate regions that currently primarily depend on road transport.
At the same time, the modernization of Line 7 Ruby tends to bring direct benefits to daily passengers, with more robust infrastructure, greater circulation capacity, and potential to reduce operational failures.
The presence of a supplier like CRRC, with a history in large railway projects, adds technological weight to this effort.
In summary, the news that CRRC locomotives and wagons are arriving in Santos is an indication that the railway turnaround in São Paulo is coming to life, albeit in stages, starting from the base: the track, maintenance, and the preparation of the structure that will support the new trains.
After learning that CRRC is arriving in Santos with locomotives and wagons for the TIC North Axis, what do you think should be the number one priority on the Paulista tracks: modernizing Line 7 Ruby first, accelerating the Intercity Train, or focusing on the Metropolitan Train between Campinas and Jundiaí?


Uma vergonha a maior metrópole da América do Sul, ser tratada com uma cidade pequena, em todos os sentidos… Acho que todos os serviços acima já deveriam estar funcionando a anos…Sendo assim, menos publicidade e mais trabalho…. é muita politicagem e pouco serviço….sem contar a rede urbano que é uma vergonha…sempre colocando a população em 5 lugar…
E ninguém fala que a CRRC está com a fábrica em Araraquara interior de SP
Depois do Zema, que acaba de receber os novos e modernos trena chineses par ao metro de BH, agora é Tarcísio que tem que engolir sua bravata de “não queremos negócio com a China”. Nossos trens jamais serão vermelhos…
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Você não pode comprar nada, NA-DA, TUDO É FABRICADO NA CHINA! RESULTADO DE 29 ANOS DE **** E 500 ANOS DE COLONIALISMO, QUE ALIÁS VOCÊ DEFENDE….LULA SEMPRE LUTANDO PARA INDUSTRUALIZAR O BRASIL E A EXTREMA-DIREITA, DIREITA DESFAZENDO.. **** FECHOU, DOOU REFINARIAS, FABRICAS DE FERTILIZANTES, GASODUTOS, FABRICAS DE MEDICAMENTOS E OITROS ATIVOS. TODOS CRIADOS PELO TEMÍVEL PT….DESPERTA, IGNÓBIL!💩🤦🏼♀️🤮💣🐃💣🐃💣