Along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, young engineers have dedicated themselves to maintaining two of the world's most extreme railway structures.
Soaring 525 meters across the Yarlung Zangbo River with a 430-meter arch, Zangmu Yarlung Zangbo Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, is maintained by a crew of young workers barely in their twenties. Every month, the team conducts a comprehensive inspection, which requires them to climb to the top.
"Of course, I was scared. On my first climb, my legs started shaking halfway up. Because the highest point is nearly 40 stories tall. Through monthly maintenance work, we gradually overcame this fear over time," said Su Weiqiang, foreman of the Jiacha Road and Bridge Maintenance Section under China Railway Qinghai-Tibet Group.
Su and his young squad performed well taking on the physical and mental challenges.
"I think they are all outstanding. Although they are all post-95s, even some post-00s, they show great responsibility and endurance at work," said Su.
Another of the world's highest railway structures is the Jiacha bridge and tunnel, maintained by a team of 13 young professionals, all born after 1990. They come from nine different provinces and autonomous regions across China.
At 3,350 meters above sea level, apart from inspecting the bridge, the Jiacha team also maintains two adjacent tunnels. Located on the highest plateau in the world, the maintenance is no easy work. The duty of these young engineers extends to every piece of railway equipment across their vast jurisdiction, sometimes requiring them to travel four hours to reach a remote inspection site.
"For example, the Bayu Tunnel we are in now is located in a seismic zone, making its maintenance particularly challenging. Our daily work mainly includes seepage treatment and sidewall inspection," said Du Meng, the Bridge and Tunnel Maintainer of Jiacha Road and Bridge Maintenance Section. The 25-year-old young man has been working here for four years, arriving on the plateau immediately after graduation.
Despite the hardships, the maintenance teams took pride in guarding the railways, which have served as one of the most vital transportation systems for local development, creating jobs and opportunities for locals.
"I feel proud to maintain the railway on the roof of the world. The Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway has improved local transportation. It has also created numerous jobs and business opportunities for local residents," said Dargye from Changdu City of Xizang, one of many locals who volunteered to join the teams.
Young railway workers in Xizang dedicated to maintaining most extreme railway structures
