Emotional residents say goodbye to Railway Ministry  

“铁老大”驶入历史 中国铁路开启新时代(图)

14日上午，十二届全国人大一次会议第四次全体会议，表决通过了关于国务院机构改革和职能转变方案的决定。“铁老大”由此定格，实行政企分开，铁道部正式退出历史舞台。

Beijing (CNS) -- Nostalgic residents were lining up outside the Ministry of Railways (MOR) headquarters Thursday on Fuxing road, Haidian district, to take photos of the ministry's sign, particularly former and current railway employees.

Chen Liqiu, 82, told reporters that he used to work in the second floor of the building and had served six successive ministers. "My father's emotion toward the ministry is beyond words," Chen's son said.

Another senior citizen, Guo Keshi, walked with a stick and help from his daughter-in-law. "I worked in the railway system all my life," he said.

Sheng Baozhong, 61, who lives near the headquarters, touched the sign hanging on the gate and said he came to say farewell.

Besides railway employees, residents came to take souvenir photos at the gate. A 20-meter queue formed outside the gate, and lawns were also crowded with people.

Yue Qiang, 32, said taking the train home and back was part of his college life.

According to MOR, China had 98,000 km of rail lines, including 9,356 km of high-speed rail lines, in operation at the end of 2012.

The State Council announced a plan to dismantle MOR into administrative and commercial units on Sunday, and it was approved on Thursday.