HARBIN, Feb. 28 -- The first regular cargo train service linking northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to central Russia left on its maiden voyage on Saturday.

The cargo train, which was carrying oil exploration equipment, pulled out of Xiangfang Railway Station in the provincial capital of Harbin at 10:50 a.m. It is expected to arrive in Biklyan, Russia, in 10 days.

Using the 6,578 km route costs 75 percent less than air transportation, said Li Tie from the Harbin Railway Bureau.

It is expected that the service will result in increased exports from Heilongjiang to Russia.

So far a number of mainland cities -- including Chongqing and Chengdu in southwest China; Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Changsha in central China; and Shenyang in northeast China -- have rail freight services to Europe.