The train No 57061/57062, running between Dunhuang city and Aksay Kazak autonomous county in Gansu province, is a commuter train. [Screenshot/Xinhua Daily Telegraph]
During this year's Spring Festival travel rush, a mini-train whose locomotive pulls only one carriage captured the attention of netizens.
The No 57061/57062 commuter train, operated by China Railway Lanzhou Bureau Group, runs between Dunhuang city and Aksay Kazak autonomous county in Northwest China's Gansu province. Covering 252 kilometers in around 4 hours, it stops at 11 stations along the way, four of which have staff members stationed.
With much of its route passing through the uninhabited and desert areas, the train, running only on Fridays, has become the sole transportation option for over 100 railway workers, including station employees, maintenance crews and signal operators.
Beyond carrying railway workers to their posts, it also delivers food, daily necessities and construction materials to stations along the route.
The train No 57061/57062, running between Dunhuang city and Aksay Kazak autonomous county in Gansu province, is a commuter train. [Screenshot/Xinhua Daily Telegraph]
"All passengers on board are railway workers, some of whom work hundreds of kilometers away from home. I always keep the carriage clean to provide a little comfort for them during long commuting time," said train attendant Gong Meirong.
To ensure the safe operation of the Dunhuang Railway during the Spring Festival travel rush, station chief Yang Zhiwei and duty officer Zhu Changcheng spent the holiday at the train's terminal, Sugan Lake Station, sitting at an altitude of 2,880 meters. They prepared fresh food, lanterns and Spring Festival couplets to add a festive atmosphere, all of which were brought by the mini-train.
Yang and Zhu both come from Jiayuguan city, Gansu province, nearly 700 km away from the station. Braving freezing temperatures and oxygen deprivation, they remain dedicated to their mission.
"The safe operation of the Dunhuang Railway makes every effort worthwhile," said Yang.
