China's first railway involving private fund starts construction in north China's Shanxi Province on Monday.

The railway, linking Jiafeng Township and Nanchenpu of Jinchengcity, stretches 64.29 kilometers. The railway winds through three counties and has six stops, according to local authorities.

It is expected to cost 2.3 billion yuan (about US$0.34 billion), and will be finished in three years.

The railway was co-funded by the Broad Union Investment Management Group Co., Ltd, the Yufeng Railway Construction Investment Co., Ltd and the Railway Bureau of Zhengzhou.

Jincheng is a major coal producing area in China's coal-rich Shanxi Province. It is hoped the railway will become an important route to aid building a resource base.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2009)