Lu Chen: The post-00s connector who "sweats" to protect summer travel safety
2024-08-26
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China.com reported on August 26 that "Ten cars... five cars... three cars". On August 25, at Ruzhou Station of Luoyang Train Depot of Zhengzhou Railway Bureau Group Co., Ltd., coupler Lu Chen was leaning on the front end of a slowly advancing train, carefully observing the line conditions ahead while reporting the distance to the parking place through the walkie-talkie. The "autumn tiger" was still strong and sweat was dripping from his face from time to time.
Lu Chen checks the status of the vehicle's air duct on August 25, 2024. Photo by Yang Jinke
Lu Chen, 23 years old this year, joined the railway after graduating from university in 2022. He has just worked as a coupler for one year. At the same time, he also serves as the secretary of the Youth League branch of the station. Couplers are often jokingly called "programmers" of trains. They shuttle between moving vehicles, connecting vehicles into trains, or splitting a train into vehicles. Grain, oil, gasoline, coal, ore, chemical raw materials and other materials rely on their work to be transported safely and orderly by rail to various places.
The temperature is high in the summer, and the temperature of the track and the car body can reach more than 50 degrees. In order to prevent sunburn and burns, Lu Chen needs to be "fully armed", wearing long sleeves and long pants, carrying a lot of "equipment", and sweating profusely is the norm. When he is busy, he just returned to the shunting room to feel the coolness brought by the air conditioner, and the intercom began to notify that a new train has arrived. He needs to carry the fasteners and heavy iron shoes and set off to the work site. When he arrives at the work site, he is often sweating profusely. Under the scorching sun, the station is as hot as a big steamer. His clothes are often wet and dry, dry and wet. Because of excessive sweating, white salt stains are often left on his clothes.
On August 25, 2024, Lu Chen was taking anti-slip measures for the vehicle. Photo by Yang Jinke
When he first started working in this job, Lu Chen also felt that it was too hard. His master, Lao Li, advised him, "Xiao Lu, you just don't know how to appreciate your blessings. Now the station's workload has been reduced compared to before, and all the passengers are parked and getting on and off, which is more secure. The station has also equipped us with water heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, etc., which we couldn't imagine before. You can't be scared by this little difficulty." After listening to his master's words, his heart was no longer shaken, and he urged himself to study the regulations and related technical knowledge seriously. If he didn't understand, he would ask his co-workers and masters, and if he couldn't figure it out, he would "extra lessons" for himself. In order to get familiar with the station and line conditions as soon as possible, he paid close attention and memorized repeatedly, engraved the station, line, turnout, and signal machine in his mind thousands of times, and memorized them in his heart. With continuous exploration and accumulation in practice, the level of shunting-related business has been continuously improved. In the monthly "Double Innovation Cup" business skills competition held by the Youth League Committee of Luoyang Railway Maintenance Section, he has won good results many times, setting an example for young employees to learn.
"I have to bring two bottles of water every time I go online. Shunting under the scorching sun is really hard! However, I must stick to my post. This is our responsibility. The happiest thing for me is to see the trains I connect can depart on time." Lu Chen said while wiping his sweat during a break in the shunting workshop. This year is the first time he has experienced summer transportation since he became a coupler. Due to the increase in workload, he has to shun more than 50 vehicles a day on average and work under the scorching sun for nearly 5 hours. He strictly implements the operating standards for each operation and is meticulous to ensure safety.
Under high temperatures, railway connection workers, facing the "baking" test of the hot summer transportation, have demonstrated their responsibility and commitment with perseverance, and have used practical actions to "sweat" to protect the safety and smoothness of railway transportation, interpreting their original intention and dedication. (Source: China Railway Network Author: Yang Jinke)
