The first direct freight train from China to the UK has arrived in London

The first ever direct freight train from China to the UK has arrived to a fanfare in Barking, east London.The train, carrying millions of pounds worth of socks, cloth, bags, and household goods, set off 18 days ago from the manufacturing city of Yiwu.It has travelled more than 7,500 miles across seven countries and through the Channel Tunnel to reach Londonwhere a crowd of politicians, journalists and excited residents greeted it.There were also people dressed up astwo colourful Chinese dragons entertaining the crowds before the train arrived just after 1pm.Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell said: This is great news for the borough and London.Its a sign of Barking and Dagenham being at the epicentre of the capitals eastward shift. You could say its the rising east meets the far East.The new weekly service is thought to be quicker than a container ship and half the price of air freight.London isthe 15th European city to be served by freight trains from China.The 34-carriage train reportedly contains 4 million of commodities coming directly from the factory floors of Yiwu, where over 60 per cent of the worlds Christmas goods are made or sold.The eastern city is the source of countless items in most British homes.Differing rail gauges in different countries means no single train can travel the whole route and the containers have to be reloaded at various stages.The Chinese locomotive is named after a famous quote from the communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong: The east wind will prevail over the west wind.Join the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: Airplane designers have a brilliant idea for the middle seat
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