Title: The Mirror Polishers on Steel Rails – A Glimpse into the Unsung Heroes of Railway Maintenance
In the scorching heat of a summer afternoon on August 26th in Guangzhou, a 110-meter-long, 450-ton steel rail grinding machine sat in the maintenance shed of the Guangzhou Large Machinery Section of the China Railway Guangzhou Group. Under the roaring giant fans, Team Leader Zhang Jun led his crew in the meticulous inspection of this behemoth. Despite the attempt to cool the air, the intensity of their work remained unbroken.
The rail grinding vehicle, a crucial piece of heavy machinery in railway maintenance, is designed to address defects on the steel rail surface such as cracks, uneven wear, and deformation. By doing so, it enhances the lifespan of the tracks, ensuring smoother rides for passengers. The first time I laid eyes on the rail grinder, I was captivated. It was like a Transformer, and I was determined to operate it, said Zhang Jun, who joined the rail industry in 2009. His ambition was to polish the tracks to a mirror-like finish.
To fulfill this aspiration, Zhang delved into technical studies, purchasing numerous specialized books to strengthen his knowledge. Whenever he had free time, he studied the thick technical diagrams, page by page, dedicating all his spare time to understanding the grinder and perfecting the art of creating a mirror-like surface on the steel rails. This dedication led him to become a car leader in 2012, finally getting behind the controls of the mighty machine.
In 2023, Zhang took the initiative to address an industry-first challenge: the rectification of input-related rail defects. These defects, known as input-induced in the trade, occur at the starting point of each grinding operation, akin to the scars left by a surgeon’s initial incision. Zhang’s goal was to minimize these cuts, turning the grinding process into a minimally invasive, if not completely scarless, procedure.
He spent countless hours researching papers and blueprints, refining the grinding process. In September of the same year, Zhang and his team faced an irregular rail surface marking on the Nanning-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway. Despite updating equipment and attempting various solutions over six days, the issue persisted.
Determined, Zhang tirelessly moved between the interior and exterior of the grinding vehicle, examining and adjusting. He sensed that the motor control system’s parameters might hold the key. The P value, representing the speed ratio regulation of the grinding motor, suddenly clicked in his mind. This was the overlooked parameter that nobody dared to touch, Zhang confirmed.
With over a decade of experience guiding him, he focused on this overlooked aspect. After continuous tweaking, the irregular markings were successfully eliminated, and the lingering issue of input-induced defects vanished. Zhang’s team made a breakthrough in the rectification of steel rail input-related defects.
In October, the Guangzhou Large Machinery Section embarked on a 100-day project to grind the Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, with Zhang’s Line Grinding Team Three completing 975 kilometers of work. They achieved an impressive 67.4% increase in GQI (Steel Rail Profile Grinding Quality Index), a testament to their dedication.
Zhang’s commitment to his work, though physically demanding, is driven by the satisfaction of ensuring passenger safety and comfort. When we see travelers arrive safely and comfortably at their destinations, all our hard work feels worth it, he said, encapsulating the spirit of the unsung heroes behind the smooth operation of China’s vast railway network.
Note: The original text in Chinese was translated into English, and some details may have been adapted for a coherent narrative in English. The original source is the China News Service (CNS), and all facts presented are based on the original article.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/sh/2024/08-26/10275077.shtml
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