At 18:25 on Apr.1, 2004, when a fourth generation new type subway train pulled over at Jianguomen Station, a top subway record of the country was set, and a safe subway operation wonder appeared. Zhao Xiaoyu, aged 48, became the national safe subway driving No.1 who had run 70 km for 29 years without any record of operation against regulations, service dispute, or driving accident. That was an admiring achievement. During the 10585 days in the 29 years, he drove four types of subway trains. The mileage could revolve around the earth for 18 circles. With 70km footprint of subway, he explained to us the devotion of love of a subway driver.
Let “Life Line” Unimpeded Forever
Safety is the life line of subway. Subway drivers are the focus among the emphasis of subway safety. As a subway driver, he drives nearly 200km for a shift, passed by nearly 700 various signal machines and separators, and manipulates the start-up of train, braking, monitor and observation for more than 300 times. The tunnels are dim, and the routes are complicated. To avoid “rash advance”, departure or arrival behind schedule, and maintain start-up smoothly and other details, he has to make careful observation of each signal, and perform each driving action. Once, he was responsible to open and close the door in the rear of the train. After he closed the door, he found that a middle-aged man walked towards the train, but suddenly disappeared. “The door is closed, but how could he come in? There must be a problem! Zhang Xiaoyu ran to have a look immediately. The drunken man had fallen into the space of the connection between two carriages. Due to his strict execution of regulations and rules, this passenger was saved.
“Living blueprint” of electric passenger trains
Zhang Xiaoyu is one of the first technicians among electric passenger train drivers. In the nearly 30 years, he has driven all the subway types. Various subway types have different structures. Only the train braking has experienced five updates and replacement. Due to his diligence and strong skills, he is called “living blueprint” of subway by his colleagues.
“There is no peak or shortcut in technical learning.” Zhang Xiaoyu believes that efforts will be paid off. For each type of subway train, he carefully studied and understood its major structural principle. With the subway train updates, he has updated his knowledge. With strong skills, he has headed off dangers in operation many times. According to his many years of driving experience, he compiled Flow of Subway Train Braking Operation, itemizing the normal braking places, methods, and time of Beijing subway line 1. Later, through constant improvement, it has become one of the teaching materials for operational methods with strong maneuverability. As a worker technician engaged in the subway operation, he participated in the compilation and correction of many teaching materials including Application Manuals for Stewards, providing experience and theoretical reference for the practical operation of other stewards.
“Caring passengers at all times when driving”
Zhang Xiaoyu has been maintaining the idea of “considering passengers at all times when driving”. In summer, he turns on fans duly, adjusts the speed of the fans in various carriages so as make passengers feel cool; in winter, he turns on the fans to adjust the air in the carriages by taking the advantage of the time when the train prepares to adjust direction so as to provide good service for next passengers and maintain comfortable environment for them. In case of breakdown of doors, he would disposal them promptly. If there is not enough time to deal with the problem, he would hang on “door breakdown plate” to remind passengers to be cautious and prevent passengers from being affected by the breakdown; in case of broadcasting breakdown, he would not feel tired of station reporting by himself so as to guide passengers to properly get on or off the subway, or interchange, lest it would delay passengers’ normal work and study. He has won the credit with passengers with his own words and deeds.
After he set the record for safe driving of 700,000km, Zhang Xiaoyu did not lie on his achievement, or paste his honor o the honor poster. He aims at the goal of safe driving of 80 km instead. He has been driving the subway train, accompanied by steel rail as always. With great sense of responsibility, strong driving skills, and enthusiastic devotion, he has been running on the life line of safe subway operation.
