Team keeps locomotives in motion amid freezing cold

As Northeast China's Heilongjiang province enters its coldest period of the year, 26-year-old locomotive maintenance worker Wang Jiayi and her six teammates are working tirelessly in the maintenance shop at the Harbin locomotive depot.

The depot, the largest in the area under the China Railway Harbin Group, is responsible for maintaining nine types of locomotives — 206 in all — and handling train engines from cities including Qiqihar, Jiamusi and Mudanjiang.

Each day, at least 120 locomotives arrive for inspection, repair and maintenance before heading back out to haul trains on busy railway lines. The depot operates much like an automobile service center, with a familiar process of inspection, task determination, repair, quality checks and final delivery.

"With the Spring Festival travel rush starting on Tuesday, locomotives are in more frequent use," Wang said. "The harsh cold of Heilongjiang makes key components such as braking systems and electrical circuits prone to freezing or becoming brittle, which can impact their performance."

The onset of the travel rush, which runs through Feb 22, has nearly doubled her team's workload. The team is tasked with maintaining at least three locomotives daily, compared to the one or two they usually do each day.

After graduating from Lanzhou Jiaotong University in 2021, Wang joined China Railway Harbin Group and chose to work at the locomotive depot, fulfilling a childhood dream.

"I was born in Mudanjiang and lived near a rail line," she said. "Every day, I would see trains passing by my window and dream of working with locomotives someday."

The reality of the job was initially daunting. "When I first stood in front of a locomotive, I was shocked by its size," Wang said. "Even though I had studied theoretical knowledge in university, practical operations were completely different. I didn't know where to start."

With the guidance of an experienced worker, Wang spent a month observing, learning and practicing. Within months, she demonstrated strong organizational skills and technical expertise, earning her a leadership position overseeing a team of seven female workers with an average age of 24.

Like their male counterparts, she and her team haul heavy tools, climb to the roofs of 5-meter-high locomotives and inspect ditches beneath the trains.

"We've never shown weakness in our physical strength," Wang said. "In fact, we're often more meticulous in detecting malfunctions."

One memorable challenge involved a locomotive's air conditioning system, which stopped functioning without showing fault information on the electronic display. After a thorough inspection, the team identified an issue with the ventilation fan. Using diagnostic tools, they pinpointed abnormal resistance readings, replaced the faulty components and ensured the locomotive left on time.

Winter's freezing temperatures present additional hazards.

"When locomotives arrive at the depot, they frost over immediately, making the roofs dangerously slippery," Wang said. "We always remind ourselves to be cautious to avoid slipping or injuries."

The team's high level of education and hands-on experience has fostered a culture of innovation. Over the past few years, they have contributed to more than 10 projects, resulting in cost savings exceeding 600,000 yuan ($81,838).

As Wang and her team navigate the intense demands of the Spring Festival rush, they continue to uphold their commitment to safety, precision and efficiency.