The first ever freight train from China to London is scheduled to arrive today (Wednesday, January 18), as China continues to build up its European rail freight network, which already includes cities such as Hamburg and Prague.

The East Wind locomotive will arrive after a sixteen-day trip, pulling freight cars with merchandise including clothes, bags, and tourist souvenir merchandise. The service, which China bills as part of the new silk road route, is viewed as particularly attractive to companies with relatively small shipments.

The train originated in Yiwu railway freight station, and crossed Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and France. The arrival point is the Barking rail freight terminal in East London.

The city of Yiwu lies 300km south of Shanghai in Zhejiang Province, and is well known as a trading centre for small goods, and its vibrant market. Barking is known for its modern town centre development, and the Barking dog pub.

(Editor's note:  Train shown with this article is a file photo)