Travel rush

This year's 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, from Jan 26 to March 5, is the busiest time of the year for these drivers.

China State Railway Group, the national railway operator, anticipates handling a record 480 million passenger trips during this period.

"I pay extra attention during the travel rush because more services are planned, which means more responsibilities," Liu said, adding he usually operates about 45 services a month during normal times, but during the Spring Festival travel rush, he usually operates 55 to 60 services a month.

Both drivers have rarely spent the Spring Festival holiday with their families since becoming high-speed train drivers in 2009.

Yu recalled the first time he spent the holiday away from his family in 2010.

"It was late at night and we were required to go to the dorm to rest before the shift. On Spring Festival Eve, we were in a suburb of Wuhan. People were celebrating the holiday, lighting fireworks. It was really loud. But I just felt sad and shut the curtain," he said.

"Now I am used to it, and it doesn't bother me so much."

As China's high-speed rail network continues to expand, the demand for skilled train drivers remains high. China Railway Wuhan Group, which had only around 60 high-speed train drivers in 2009, now boasts over 1,000.

Both drivers have witnessed the remarkable development of the nation's high-speed railway network, and express their pride and passion for their roles.

"Taking a high-speed train is like taking a bus. They run so frequently and it's so convenient. People can hop on the train anytime. Unlike in the old times when passengers always had to plan a trip way in advance," Yu said.

The dedication and expertise of these drivers contribute to an efficient and reliable transportation system, providing essential connectivity for millions of passengers, particularly during the bustling Spring Festival travel rush.