The Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) will connect the cross-border cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou. At a maximum speed of 200 km/h, the XRL trains will take only 14 minutes to travel 26 km from Hong Kong to Futien in Shenzhen, and only 48 minutes to travel 142 km from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. Once in the Mainland, the XRL trains can travel at a speed up to 350 km/h.

EMSTF has established a railway project special group to assist the Highways Department as an independent consultant to review the preliminary design of the Hong Kong section, including permanent way equipment, signal and train control systems, traction power supply system and tunnel ventilation system.