Mechanics keep the trains moving
It is late at night, but it seems like daytime in the well- lit maintenance base of the Wuhan Railway Administration in Hubei province where some 300 mechanics are working on 20 bullet trains.
“Bullet trains usually run during the daytime. So maintenance has to be done at night,” said foreman Wang Longwen.
Mechanics in the base, known as the largest bullet train hospital in Central China, are busy at this time of year — the peak travel season of Spring Festival.
According to China Railways Corporation, more than 1 million passengers will arrive or pass through Wuhan during the week before the festival — more than any other city.
The huge number of passengers means mounting pressure on bullet trains that run 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers a day.
“Every train will be checked after it runs for two days, or 4,000 kilometers,” said Luo Xingfu, a 26- yearold mechanic.
It takes less than 48 hours for a train to run from Wuhan to Qingdao in Shandong province and return to Wuhan.
“But the distance is more than 4,000 kilometers, so the train has to be checked again,” Luo said.
When a train arrives in the base, two mechanics examine its bottom with the help of flashlights.
In a single shift, they have to bend at least 500 times to check some 6,000 parts with their hands.
“After all the wear and tear, our hands have calluses,” said a mechanic.
All of the mechanics graduated from the Wuhan Rail- way Vocational College Technology, Luo said.
Students spend two years in the college before they receive one- year practical training in a maintenance base. Upon graduation, they have to get a mechanic’s certificate from the Wuhan Bullet Train Operation Depot, Luo said.
“During the Spring Festival peak travel season, mechanics work on the day shift for one day and then night shift for one night. Then they have two days off before they work for another day shift,” Luo said.
The arrangement ensures mechanics have a good rest so that they have adequate energy for their work.
“But bad weather in winter, such as rain and snow, can cause delays of bullet trains, so mechanics have to leave the base for home much later,” Luo said.
“Its canteen offers a free night snack for mechanics on the night shift. During the Spring Festival travel season, it offers free milk, biscuits and eggs for mechanics on the day shift,” he said.
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