China's slow trains ensure smooth trips during Spring Festival travel rush

Passengers are seen on a train running on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

The Baoji-Chengdu Railway, a key line linking Baoji in northwest China's Shaanxi Province with Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province, was opened in 1958 as China's first electrified railway line.

Limited by terrain and construction conditions, trains running on the railway can not exceed the speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour. However, for the people living in the hinterland of the Qinling Mountains, this railway is indispensable and has been greatly promoting the development of education, agriculture and tourism in the area.

During the current Spring Festival travel rush, more than 200 staff members from China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. are working along the line to ensure the safe and smooth operation of passing trains.

A staff member of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. cleans the ice in a tunnel on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen) 

Staff members of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. take a train to their work area on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Passengers pose for photos on a train running towards Qinling Railway Station on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows the Guanyinshan Railway Station on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A staff member inspects as a train runs past at the Guanyinshan Railway Station on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A staff member of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. cleans the ice in a tunnel on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A staff member (L) of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. examines the tracks on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A student reads on a train running on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, on Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Staff members of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. inspect electric facilities on the Songshupo bridge of the Baoji-Chengdu Railway in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)