China’s New Year travel rush kicks into high gear, country adds…

BEIJING, Feb 9 (Reuters) – China on Friday kicked into high gear on the eve of the annual Lunar New Year holiday, with travellers cramming onto trains and planes to head back to their hometowns and families preparing for traditional reunion dinner gatherings. The country has been adding travel capacity to help smooth transportation after harsh weather threatened trips for millions returning home for the holiday. Some 1,873 passenger trains were added on one day across a vast railway network, a record according to state media outlet Global Times. Railway activity ramped up after snow and freezing rain crippled train service earlier in the week, with some passengers stuck on trains for hours after power supplies were cut. Several provinces…