Buying train tickets in English - Beijing - TravBuddy

In English, you can check timetables for Chinese trains on http://www.china-train-ticket.com/ - but I wouldn't recommend buying the ticket there, since the prices are much higher than they should be. Unfortunately most ticket outlets throughout Beijing do not speak English - however, the major railway stations (Beijing Station, Beijing West Station, Shanghai Station etc...) do have a special section for buying tickets for foreigners. There they should know English, not to mention you will also not need to queue for the tickets. This arrangement should be sufficient - generally tickets are not available for purchase until 5 day before travel anyways (sometimes 7, sometimes 3 - though some people with 'connections' are actually able to make advanced bookings) ... just make sure you grab tickets once they become available, and you should be fine for availability. http://www.huochepiao.com and http://train.tielu.org are also good websites for China train schedules - but unfortunately in Chinese only.

Edit:
I just got back to Beijing from a group trip to Shanghai, returning on fast train. Tickets for hard sleeper are hardest to get - buying two days in advance many outlets were sold out. On the day however, I managed to buy 7 tickets. The Chinese system is mysterious, all railway staff will give you different info, and nobody knows what's going on. Don't try to understand it : but don't give up. If one place is sold out, try elsewhere, and if necessary try another day (I think there are daily quotas).