On Sunday, June 28 2010, rail fans board the only green-hulled train running between Beijing and Shanghai on its last journey. They recorded the historical journey by taking photos and recording video clips. [Photo: cs.com.cn]

The only green-hulled train running between Beijing and Shanghai retired on Monday, giving way to more advanced trains with better facilities, Beijing News says.

On Sunday, a green-hulled train set off from Beijing to Shanghai for the last time. For 32 years, the train that connects China's two largest economic hubs runs 1,463 kilometers in 22 hours and 43 minutes, stopping at 24 stations along the way. Traveling the full length requires a mere 88 yuan, or about 13 US dollars.

Since Monday, the green-hulled train running on coal will be replaced by a more advanced air-conditioned train running on electricity. The schedule remains entirely unaltered, but the traveling experience will be improved with better facilities. The travel expense will rise to 158 yuan. In addition, 5 hard berth sleepers will be added to the new train, the upper, middle and lower berths costing 285 yuan, 296 yuan and 306 yuan respectively.

On Sunday when the Shanghai-bound train was in service for the last time, many fans of the rail boarded the train. They recorded the historical journey by taking photos and recording their own video clips.

The green-hulled trains, named for their green exterior, are the most representative symbol of China's old generation passenger trains. Manufactured decades ago, they are modestly equipped and in dilapidated shape. But they are still favored by students, migrant workers and other economically underprivileged passengers for their modest cost.

Since the 1990s, China's railway authorities have launched a number of innovative ideas for the railway system. The process has seen most of the green-hulled trains being replaced by more advanced ones. Meanwhile, the cost of traveling has gone up as well.