Song Jian (R) and his master, the locomotive's chief engineer jointly perform a visual confirmation of the singal ahead before the train departs from station. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

Song said he could not remember how many commands he confirmed with the driver in the course of the trip because he never thought of counting them, although he conceded that he "very frequently confirmed commands with the engineer."

However, there are times when bad weather obscures traffic lights, and Song said those are the times that train drivers have to be extremely cautious. "At those times, we have to slow the train down first while reporting the conditions to the dispatcher. That is why trains are delayed sometimes," said Song, insisting that safety is a top priority, even when compared with punctuality.

"We understand that passengers hate delays. In fact, no one likes delays, especially us. But we have to ensure the safety of our passengers, since any railway accident would be a major one," said Song. Song said that he reassures passengers on delayed train trips by "patiently explaining to them that delays were not really a result of bad management or the driver's incompetence."

Song's short-term hope is to be promoted to engineer, which he expects to occur later this year after he passes an exam, "Sort of in the same way you pass the driving test for a car," he said. He added that acquiring another 60,000 kilometers of travel working as a deputy engineer is one of the hardest requirements for the promotion, although he has already completed 30,000 kilometers to get to his current position.

Working on the train means he has an irregular work schedule. While millions of Chinese travel home to spend the festival with their families during each year's Spring Festival peak travel season, Song – like most of his colleagues – has not spent Chinese New Year with his family since he joined the railway system.

"I am not the first one in my family to work for the railway, so fortunately, my family members understand the nature of my job, and they support me. But it means more sacrifice for my girlfriend, because I probably will not be able to spend a single Spring Festival in my life with her," said Song.

He added that his girlfriend, who lives in their hometown in Jilin Province in northeast China, accepted the fact because that was Song's "precondition for starting the relationship," although he admits this was "not really fair to her."

As usual, Song has decided not to go home for Chinese New Year, even though he may not be put on duty on Chinese New Year's Eve or Chinese New Year's Day, the two most important occasions. "There may be extra shifts for us, and we'd better stay on standby all the time," he said.

The Spring Festival peak travel season, similar to the summer vacation peak season, demands extra prudence, devotion and duty for Song and people like him. They bring up to 2,000 people home on each trip but can never be part of the crowds going home for the holiday family reunion themselves.

It's common and natural for engineers like Song to feel envious of all those home-bound passengers, but they understand that ensuring passengers' "safe, punctual, smooth and comfortable" trips is their duty, pleasure, honor and privilege.