The terms green-skinned train[1][2] and green train[3] (Chinese: 绿皮车; pinyin: lǜpíchē; lit. 'green skin carriage') refer to a type of design which used to be the mainstay of the passenger railway fleets of China and other communist countries during the Cold War. These words carry connotations of slow travel on old vehicles with few amenities, most notably lacking air conditioning. Despite these connotations, some newer trains have been painted green for nostalgic purposes.[4]
Gallery
China
Green-skinned trains in China traditionally referred to the class of "普通旅客快车" (Regional fast train) and "普通旅客列车" (Regional slow train).
Original
Type 21
Type 22
Type 22B
Type 22C
Type 18
Type 19
Type 23
Type 25B (pre-2014)
Type 25G
Modern
A Type 25T for the Qinghai-Tibet railway, not a "green train" in the traditional sense
A Type 25G painted green
A Type 25K painted green
A Type 25T painted green
Type 25B (post-2014)
A CR200J higher-speed EMU, the first "bullet train" to be painted green during production