Summary：The old Nanjing-Shanghai and Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Railways only totaled over 620km But as it went through developed regions in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces

The old Nanjing-Shanghai and Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Railways only totaled over 620km. But as it went through developed regions in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, they “attracted attentions from home and abroad”, and indeed promoted agricultural, industrial and business development along their way since put into operation in 1908.
 
In October 1936, the owner of both railways asked 11 highway transport organizations, 11 waterway transport organizations, and one air transport organizations to attend the joint meeting between the railway sector and their industries and negotiated on cooperation, joint development and issues concerning establishment of intermodal combined transport network.