Yixin'ou , a Chinese freight train , was the world 's longest freight journey . The freight train trip left China in 2008 and spanned eight countries , completing its run in Spain . Madrid Mayor Ana Botella Serrano dubbed it the `` Silk Road of the 21st century . '' The trip was a test run for regular cargo service between China and Spain .
Yixin'ou , a Chinese freight train , was the world 's longest freight journey . The freight train trip left China in 2008 and spanned eight countries , completing its run in Spain . The trip was a test run for regular cargo service between China and Spain .