The Qinghai-Tibet Railway was not affected by Wednesday's devastating earthquake, Wang Zhiguo, vice minister of railways, said Saturday.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council.

The section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway closest to the quake epicenter in Yushu, Qinghai Province was 360 kilometers away, according to Wang.

The relief supplies transported to the quake-hit areas by rail mainly came by the Lanzhou-Qinghai Railway, which connects Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province, with Xining, capital of Qinghai, said Wang.

By 8:00 AM Saturday, 45 cargo trains loaded with 26,000 tents, 60,000 cotton-padded overcoats, 145,000 quilts and other badly needed supplies had arrived in Yushu.

Moreover, four passenger trains had been deployed to transport the wounded from the quake-hit area.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2010)