Fugu Station, operated by CHN Energy and located on the Loess Plateau, serves as a vital railway hub. It handles the transportation of coal and other goods and operates as the central station for the Xi'an–Fugu K8204/3 passenger train line. By 4:30 a.m., while the city still sleeps, Fugu Station is already bustling with activity, beginning a new day’s work.
Fugu Station opened on June 13, 1996. It primarily oversees the arrival and departure of passenger and freight trains, along with managing material and maintenance line operations.
Pictured: Fugu Station at night (Photo source: iNengyuan)
Today is a special day—it's maintenance day, when all lines are powered down for inspection and repairs. In the control room, operators, signalers and safety coordinators are in position, working together to manage train operations through flashing signal lights and brief radio exchanges. Though concise, these communications are crucial for ensuring the safe and orderly flow of trains.
As the sun rises, workers at Fugu Station begin addressing structural issues in the Shekoumao Tunnel. In service since 1996, the tunnel has served for nearly 30 years. The workers coordinate seamlessly, each task performed with practiced skill. The rumble of excavators echoes through the valley as earth and rock are cleared from the tunnel, making way for the track work ahead.
Pictured: Workers orderly transporting rail components (Photo source: iNengyuan)
After the intense maintenance work wraps up, the workers take a short break, then gather to review and evaluate the tasks in the morning. After lunch, they each return to their duties: organizing tools, cleaning up, inspecting equipment, checking safety devices, and carefully monitoring signal lights.
At 3:30 p.m., the passenger service attendant begins preparing to welcome travelers. She arranges materials at the service desk with care, keeping an eye on the flow of passengers. By 4:20 p.m., travelers line up, and Wen Liping enters her busiest time of the day. Always smiling, she patiently answers every question, despite the countless inquiries she handles daily.
Pictured: Passengers at Fugu Station entering in an orderly manner to wait for their train (Photo source: iNengyuan)
At 6:00 p.m., the K8204/3 passenger train glides into the station, and travelers step off one by one. Passenger service staff assist actively, some helping elderly passengers and others carrying luggage for those with limited mobility. In the control room, an operator hastily eats while keeping a close eye on platform activity, coordinating train schedules.
As night falls, Fugu Station remains brightly lit, with the flow of arrivals and departures ongoing. For the staff, dusk doesn’t mark the end of their work but the start of another round. Their dedication makes the journey home feel all the warmer and more reassuring.
