CHANGSHA - The world's fastest meter-gauge multiple unit trains have been put into operation in Malaysia, according to its manufacturer Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd on Tuesday.

The Chinese company's meter-gauge train broke the world record in 10,000 km operation tests with a high speed of 176 km per hour, said Zhou Ande, an engineer with the company. Meter gauge is the system of narrow gauge railways and tramway with a track gauge of 1,000 mm.

The trains are welcomed by locals, slashing the travel time from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar by seven hours, said Zhou.

The deal signed in 2013 included ten train sets. The first set rolled off the assembly line last November with a designed speed of 160 km per hour.

Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd, located in central China's Hunan province, is a subsidiary of China's high-speed rail maker CRRC Corp?Ltd. Currently, it owns more than 80 percent market share in the rail transit equipment market in Malaysia.