Sonam Wangdrak, who worked as a herder in his younger years in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, was the first train driver for the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, when the world's highest electrified railway entered into service more than four years ago.
Sonam Wangdrak, now a driver instructor of the Golmud Locomotive Maintenance Section of the China Railway Qingzang Group, drove the inaugural high-speed train on the 435-kilometer Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway. It is Xizang's first electrified rail line connecting the regional capital with the rest of China.
To this day, Sonam Wangdrak can still recall his excitement of being able to drive the first train on the historic route.
"Our director came to me and asked if I wanted to serve as the first train driver on the newly opened Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway. I felt both excited and proud to be able to operate the inaugural train," he said.
On June 25, 2021, the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway officially commenced operations, with the Fuxing high-speed bullet train reaching all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Sonam has witnessed firsthand the success of Xizang's first, and the world's highest electrified railway, along with the profound impact it has had on people's lives.
"The Fuxing train ended southeastern Xizang's history of lacking railway service. I feel really fortunate to have become part of this and witnessed the historic moment," said Sonam Wangdrak.
Sonam Wangdrak grew up in a remote farming and herding family in Lhorong County, Qamdo, where horses were the only means of transportation. As a boy, trains were a distant mystery, until one day when he was in junior high, the Qinghai-Xizang Railway was being taught in class.
"When I was in junior high school, I learned about the construction of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway. I asked what a train was like and my teacher told me it was much faster than a horse. I thought to myself, 'If I could become a train driver one day, that would be awesome,'" he said.
That dream carried him through railway school and into the train driver's seat. In 2012, Sonam became a diesel locomotive driver on the Qinghai–Xizang Railway, later advancing to operate Fuxing high-speed trains.
"The Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway extends 435 kilometers and crosses the Yarlung Zangbo River 16 times. The builders worked tirelessly, and I admire them from the bottom of my heart," said Sonam Wangdrak.
Former herder in Xizang fulfills railway dream on world's highest electrified route
