Interior inspection

Inspecting the interiors of train carriages also poses challenges for technicians.

"I need to examine and test numerous components, including those in the restroom, across a minimum of eight carriages," said 24-year-old technician Cheng Yawen.

During the Spring Festival travel rush, the frequent use of electronic devices by passengers can lead to charging sockets loosening. In one carriage that equips all its 56 seats with a charging socket, Cheng uses testing equipment to evaluate each socket's functionality and power supply.

"While assessing the sockets, we also inspect the stability of the seats, the pedals and the window sealing strips," said Cheng.

Due to the nature of overnight operations, physical demands and the diverse range of tasks required, maintenance technicians are predominantly male, with only 9.5 percent of the workforce being female. Cheng, one of the few females in her team, upholds stringent standards in her work.

During an inspection of the restroom, Cheng noticed that the toilet's flush area extended beyond the basin. Taking immediate action, she knelt down and adjusted the angle of the nozzle until the issue was rectified.

"Being a train technician is in no way easy, and I have to overcome numerous challenges to make myself qualified for this job," she said.

To become a maintenance technician, each worker must first acquire a full qualification through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical assessments. They then need to meet the specified on-duty standards for a particular operation before being authorized to carry it out.

Currently, the team in Jinan has established "on-duty standards" for 37 crucial operations across five maintenance-related categories, encompassing tasks such as de-icing and brake checks.

Regular reviews of qualifications are conducted to ensure that technicians possess the requisite knowledge and skills.

"If a technician has not performed a specific operation within a year, their qualification will be revoked," Party secretary Wu said, underscoring the importance of ongoing proficiency and engagement in the maintenance tasks.

In order to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for passengers, a technician accompanies the train while it's in service, conducting inspections every three hours across its eight carriages.

They focus on facilities such as distribution cabinets, faucets and carriage doors, addressing any anomalies promptly. They also adjust carriage temperatures based on passengers' needs.

"To accommodate the high volume of luggage during the Spring Festival travel rush, we ensure that the luggage racks are secure and stable to meet passengers' storage needs," technician Tang Shaokun said.

During the winter season, characterized by frequent inclement weather like rain and snow, train operations are often impacted, resulting in delays to the maintenance schedule. At times, multiple trains may return for inspection simultaneously, leading to a concentration of maintenance tasks.

"In such cases, we need to rearrange the maintenance plans based on train schedules and ensure timely operations," said Wu.

"Our maintenance technicians rely on their expertise to swiftly address any unexpected issues, guaranteeing the safety and comfort of millions of passengers," he said.

zhaoruixue@chinadaily.com.cn