3rd Beijing main station has a foreigners ticket office where they at least understand a few words of English. They have English booking forms and electronic booking. Uniforms of conductors vary with every train. Still electrification work going on, but nearly ready now. No problem to get on the platforms with a platform ticket.
Station looks still new, even if some corners are dirty now.
Beijing underground is good. Even announcements in English, and station signs in PinYin, even some in English. Cost 2 Yuan, run at least every 10 minutes, sometimes every 3-4. Long stops, but fast running. Not too crowded outside rush hours.