Persistence, transformation of remote train station over decades

Station staff members work at Miaoshan Station in Laiwu district, Jinan, Shandong province to ensure the safety of the railway. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Miaoshan Station, located in Miaoshan town, Laiwu district, Jinan, Shandong province, is tucked away deep in the mountains, with only green trains passing through.

The station is currently manned by station director Wang Jiangang and his eight colleagues, who ensure the safety of the railway.

Located 36 kilometers from the city center, Miaoshan Station used to handle freight services, primarily loading local specialties like river sand and gravel.

"In this job, the hardest thing to overcome is loneliness," said station attendant Dong Chengyun. In March 1989, at the age of 18, Dong arrived at the station to work as a switchman. 

Station staff members used to suffer from a lack of supplies and inconvenient transportation.

As freight volumes sharply declined, these services were discontinued, leading to most of the staff leaving.

Today, the station handles an average of 36 train dispatches per day, including two passenger trains. The ancient culture and picturesque scenery surrounding the station have gradually begun to attract tourists eager to experience rural life.

According to Wang, over 60 percent of the "slow train" passengers are tourists visiting the secluded mountain station.

Every time a train arrives, station staff members carefully repeat the routine of receiving orders, setting the route, confirming signals, and dispatching the train. They do these hundreds of times each day, never slacking off. (Edited by Yang Yi)