CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- In recent days, Chongqing has experienced widespread hot and sunny weather, putting railway equipment and facilities to the test. To ensure the safe operation of trains and the safety of passengers, Chongqing Engineering and Electrical Section of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. organized maintenance workers to service the equipment at Chongqingbei Railway Station, creating favorable conditions for safe travel.

At 17:00 on the afternoon of September 3, under the intense heat of the scorching temperatures, maintenance workers arrived at Chongqingbei Railway Station to begin that day’s work. Site supervisor Hou Zhenlu explained that “Chongqingbei Railway Station is the ‘home’ for high-speed trains. Here, the trains undergo maintenance and protection before arriving at various stations, carrying passengers to destinations in all directions. Therefore, we need to perform regular maintenance to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway equipment in the Station.”

The maintenance workers are divided into three work groups: the Railway Line Inspection Group, the Equipment Rehabilitation Group, and the Cleaning and Lubrication Group. Led by team leader Kang Donghong, the Railway Line Inspection Group, consisting of 12 members, inspected the railway lines at the Station. They carefully measured track gauge and level using a rail gauge, bending over with each step. “Track gauge and level are crucial for the smooth operation of high-speed trains. We must control the error within 1 millimeter to ensure safe train operation”, Kang Donghong explained. During the inspection, the maintenance workers also used inspection hammer to tap each bolt, assessing its tightness by the sound to ensure the bolts are securely “gripping” the rails.

Meanwhile, the Equipment Rehabilitation Group addressed defects in the switch equipment. They first measured the geometric dimensions of the switches using rail gauge and offset rule, marking the adjustment values on the rails. Then, they achieved the required smoothness by replacing gauge blocks and shims. “Switches are crucial for trains to change tracks; they must be adjusted for smoothness to ensure that trains pass through smoothly”, said maintenance worker Xie Yu.

The Cleaning and Lubrication Group was responsible for the maintenance testing of signal devices and track circuits, and the cleaning and lubrication of switches. They meticulously inspected each device component of signal devices and track circuit with professional tools, much like careful doctors. Subsequently, they applied specialized grease evenly to key areas of the switches with grease guns to ensure smooth and flexible operation.

Under high temperatures, maintenance workers, having worked for only half an hour, were flushed red, with beads of sweat covering their faces and their work uniforms soaked through and sticking to their backs. After a brief rest and drinking water, they resumed their demanding tasks.

By 19:00, the maintenance work was successfully completed, with a total of 8 track lines inspected, 4 switches restored, 10 signal devices and 8 track circuits repaired, and 9 switches cleaned and lubricated. “Seeing the high-speed trains depart daily from the tracks we’ve maintained to serve passengers, I feel that every bit of effort is worth it!” said maintenance worker Xie Yu. (Translated by Vichy, Fathom Language Limited)