China Train Series: Slow train continues to serve villagers in northern mountainous region

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China's high-speed railway network is expanding rapidly, but slow trains continue to provide transport for villagers in several remote and poverty-stricken areas. North China's Shanxi Province has one such train. It's one of the slowest, but is still a vital link for many villagers living along the railway. Our reporter Hu Chao reports.

This three-carriage train is the No.8171. It commutes between the city of Yuci and Qinxian County in northern China's Shanxi Province. The route covers 165 kilometers, with 22 stops.

It's one of the very few slow trains left in China, running at 70 kilometers per hour. But it's still important for many villagers, like 62-year-old Fan Dongniu. He's been taking this train for decades.

FAN DONGNIU VILLAGER "I often take this train to visit my family members. But most importantly, I take it to bring these farm products to a nearby county market for sale."

Taking the slow train is cheap. The ticket only costs a few yuan. It's the best choice for many poor villagers living along the railway, who need to travel to sell their goods.

HU CHAO ABOARD NO. 8171 TRAIN, SHANXI PROVINCE "This train stops every five to ten kilometers to pick up villagers and other visitors in this mountainous area. Although it's a slow train, it's irreplaceable for many riders, and also bears happy memories for people on the train."

Many passengers say they always feel safe and happy on board.

HOU JINYUN VILLAGER "We all have deep feelings for this train. We've known each other for many years. We often take the train together."

FAN DONGNIU VILLAGER "We always help each other. And the train crew have also helped us a lot."

Conductor Li Weijun has worked on this train for two decades. He's now a friend of the regular riders.

LI WEIJUN CONDUCTOR OF NO. 8171 TRAIN "When they are busy with farming at home, I often help to bring their products to the train, and send them to the buyers who wait at other stops."

This train used to be crowded with passengers, as it was the only way for many villagers to travel. Now that many new highways have been built, the train can only carry around 200 passengers a day.

LI WEIJUN CONDUCTOR OF NO. 8171 TRAIN "I've seen a lot of changes through the years. The train has helped many villagers to have a better life. Though we now have fewer passengers, I still believe this small train can still help people in many ways. My biggest wish is to better serve the passengers, and make them feel happy on the train."

Hu Chao, CGTN, Shanxi Province.