Stretching from Shenchi in Shanxi Provincein northern China to Huanghua in Hebei Provincein northern China, the Shuohuang Railway is China's second-largest west-to-east coal transportation corridor. In 2009, 18-year-old Cui Shuaiwen graduated from Beijing Railway Electrification College and joined the Rolling Stock Branch of CHN Energy Shuohuang Railway Company as a locomotive crew member on this vital corridor.
Over the following 17 years, he continuously refined his skills and gradually grew into a professional technician. He participated in overcoming operational challenges associated with 20,000-ton heavy-haul trains and led the optimization of more than 650 train control strategies, enabling these "steel coal dragons" to travel steadily through rugged mountain terrain. Ahead of China's Youth Day this year, Cui was awarded the title of New-Era Youth Pioneer.
Diagnosing heavy-haul trains
At 7:30 a.m. on June 7, a 2.7-kilometer-long heavy-haul train slowly departed Shenchi South Station on the Shuohuang Railway, heading toward Suning North Station, more than 400 kilometers away.
In the technician's office, Cui opened the intelligent train operation analysis system. On the computer screen, data on train speed, position, signals and braking were displayed as color-coded curves. By tracking subtle changes, he assessed operating conditions and equipment performance, advised drivers on track conditions, and adjusted braking intervals.
Heavy-haul railways are characterized by large transport volumes and long hauling distances, making them particularly suitable for bulk commodities such as coal. Over the past decade, 20,000-ton heavy-haul trains on the Shuohuang Railway have maintained safe operations, with more than 140,000 train services completed and over 1.5 billion tons of coal transported.
To further increase transport capacity, operating heavier trains became imperative. However, developing heavy-haul transportation on the Shuohuang Railway was far from straightforward.
The 594-kilometer railway traverses mountainous terrain with steep gradients and sharp curves. On some sections, the elevation difference between the front and rear of a train can reach 30 meters. At times, the locomotive is already climbing uphill while the rear cars are still descending, with the train spanning multiple grades simultaneously.
"The most basic requirements for a heavy-haul locomotive are that it can pull, run efficiently and stop safely. When a locomotive is hauling tens of thousands of tons of cargo across more than 100 railcars, stopping safely is even more difficult than pulling the load," Cui told reporters.
Ten years ago, after collecting and analyzing thousands of operational data sets, Cui and his colleagues successfully identified optimal braking and brake-release points by making effective use of the terrain, ensuring that the trains met all safety performance requirements.
To address safety risks associated with couplers connecting railcars, Cui and his team spent 40 consecutive hours monitoring testing equipment. Following hundreds of practical trials, they developed a new operating guidance card and a refined train-handling system that kept coupler forces consistently within safe limits.
"For trains, we're like doctors, constantly safeguarding their operations," Cui said.
From trainee to skills champion
Like many railway technicians, Cui began his career as an onboard trainee. The gap between theory and practice initially left him feeling overwhelmed.
"At that time, I constantly reminded myself that diligence can make up for shortcomings and that there are no shortcuts to learning. If I couldn't remember something, I reviewed it repeatedly—if once wasn't enough, I'd do it ten times," Cui recalled.He always carried a notebook in his pocket, recording key points mentioned by mentors, challenges he encountered during hands-on work, and fault cases experienced during operations. During breaks, he would visit maintenance depots to familiarize himself with the location and function of hundreds of locomotive components. Through relentless practice, standard operating procedures became second nature, and his ability to diagnose faults became increasingly fast and accurate.
In October 2016, Cui won first place in the company's skills competition and was subsequently recommended to participate in the Group's employee skills contest. During the locomotive static inspection event, he faced more than 3,600 interconnected circuits resembling a spider's web. Cui completed fault detection in just eight minutes and secured the championship with a commanding lead.
Over the years, determined to share his knowledge and experience with others, Cui compiled numerous training materials and produced instructional animations. He has helped train more than 270 new recruits into qualified locomotive drivers and mentored over 30 drivers capable of operating 20,000-ton heavy-haul trains.
Advancing toward a smarter future
In Cui's memory, April 20, 2024 remains a special day.
At 11:39 a.m. that day, a 30,000-ton heavy-haul train safely arrived at Huanghua Port Station, marking the successful completion of operational trials. It is currently China's longest and heaviest combined heavy-haul train formation.
To achieve this milestone, Cui and the company's Heavy-Haul Pioneer Task Force spent nearly four years overcoming technical challenges posed by 20 grade-transition points and 74 tight-radius curves along the route.
"Our heavy-haul trains were born out of development needs, and they continue to move forward alongside the nation's development."
Today, 20,000-ton trains on the Shuohuang Railway consist of 216 railcars, while 30,000-ton trains consist of 324 railcars. These giant "dragons" operate around the clock, supporting the country's vital energy supply artery.
Meanwhile, Cui Shuaiwen and his colleagues continue to apply their expertise and dedication to make train operations safer, faster and smarter.
