In an exclusive interview, we delve into the hidden world of the railway guards who tirelessly work to ensure the safety of the Leqing Bay Railway Branch, which runs through the picturesque southeastern mountains and seas of Zhejiang. Since October began, the team leader of Huangtian Maintenance Unit from the Jinwen Railway Company has been leading his crew in pushing a high-precision rail measurement instrument as they meticulously gauge the geometric dimensions of the tracks.
At 46 years old, Zhu Jianwen has dedicated nearly three decades of his life to the Jinwen Railway Company, having joined at just 18. He reminisces about his early days spent trekking through the wilderness with his coworkers, measuring tracks while bending down thousands of times a day. “Each time we check a section of track, we have to stand up and move forward, ensuring that every measurement is accurate to the millimeter—no margin for error,” he recalls. The countless times he has bent over have shaped his back, and he has grown accustomed to the weight of the measuring tool on his shoulder.
As railway technology has advanced, Zhu has witnessed significant changes in the industry. What started as the Jinwen Line has transformed into a unified structure now encompassing the Jintai Line and the Leqing Bay Line. His apprentice, Chen Cunjin, no longer relies on the traditional measuring method. Instead, he utilizes a sophisticated device that resembles a small yellow vehicle—the high-precision rail measurement instrument. This modern tool can accurately assess various track data such as alignment, elevations, and geometric parameters like gauge and angle.
This instrument plays a crucial role in the maintenance of railway tracks. It is employed during precision tamping operations, where collected data is analyzed to determine the optimal adjustment for track parameters. For every 125 millimeters traveled, the instrument collects a data point, amassing over 20,000 data points in a single session. This allows the team to grasp changes in track geometry and formulate precise tamping plans, effectively elevating the quality of their work. The precision of the measurements has improved significantly, now reaching an accuracy of 0.1 millimeters.
The three railway lines operated by the Jinwen Railway Company are not only testament to technological progress but also to the dedication and legacy of generations of railway workers. Zhu Jianwen and Chen Cunjin represent two generations in this ongoing relay of craftsmanship and commitment.
“Even with all this high-tech equipment, our responsibility remains unchanged—every detail matters, and there must be no errors,” Zhu often reminds his apprentice. Chen resonates with this philosophy, acknowledging that as the new generation of railway professionals, they face heightened expectations and standards. Each time they use the rail measurement instrument, they must ensure that any discrepancies in track dimensions are brought down to the millimeter. To maintain this level of accuracy, they often perform manual verifications in critical areas to guarantee precision.
