Yu Xiangyang checks a locomotive on Jan 31, 2018. (Photo/Xinhua)
From steam to electric locomotives
The first train type that Yu drove was the Forward-type steam locomotive. It took eight hours to drive train 1532 from Jingdezhen to Jixi in Jiangxi province.
Steam locomotives have low power, weak traction capacity and short running distances. During each ride, Yu had to shovel about 10 tons of coal. Drivers were very tired after the ride. Excepting their eyes and teeth, their whole body was black.
Starting from 2000, Yu operated diesel locomotives. Three drivers were reduced to two, and train speed increased from 60 to 90 kilometers per hour. No more smoke and ashes in the driving cabin.
In 2010, Yu started to run an electric locomotive, with no diesel spots, no smoke, no ashes and not too much noise. He could wear suits to drive.
The electric locomotive is powerful at 7,200 kilowatts, and the traction capacity can reach 6,000 tons, about twice that of the steam locomotive.
