At nightfall, all trains in Laos section of the China Laos Railway ended the day's operation and returned to the warehouse in succession. Vientiane locomotive and vehicle operation and maintenance workshop entered the busiest time of the day. Late at night, trains have to undergo routine "health checks" here to ensure safe and smooth operation the next day. Pompimon Mongandi, a 28 year old Laotian girl, has a pleasant Chinese name - Peng Mengyu. She is a locomotive fitter in Laos section of the China Laos Railway and is responsible for "feeling the pulse" for the important locomotive in the train set. Every morning at 8 o'clock on duty, Peng Mengyu will put on work clothes and a safety helmet, and appear in the maintenance workshop on time. As soon as the locomotive returns to the depot, she immediately goes inside the locomotive to conduct a comprehensive inspection and maintenance of the components of the internal combustion engine, braking system, and other equipment. When the locomotive first returns to the depot, the temperature inside the car can reach 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, and a maintenance usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Every time the maintenance is completed, Peng Mengyu is sweating profusely from the heat. The maintenance work is related to the safety of passengers' lives and cannot tolerate any carelessness. We must ensure the safe operation of the train even if it is too hot, "Peng Mengyu said firmly. Due to the concentration of high-speed trains returning to the depot at night, late night maintenance is a daily routine for locomotive fitters. Peng Mengyu has to inspect an average of 17 cars a day, with the latest work lasting until 4am. The locomotive fitter often shifts and works overtime, with irregular schedules, but Peng Mengyu has never regretted her choice. In 2015, the construction of China Laos Railway was started in Laos. Peng Mengyu, who was studying at Guiyang Vocational and Technical College in China at the time, was very excited when she saw the news. After completing her language studies, she chose the major of Rail Transit Operations Management without hesitation. After graduation, Peng Mengyu submitted her resume to Lao Zhong Railway Co., Ltd. and successfully joined the company. After a series of theoretical and practical training and internships, she officially became a locomotive fitter in February 2022. I have always enjoyed disassembling and assembling things since I was young, and I am particularly interested in mechanical structures, "Peng Mengyu said." Although locomotive fitter is a traditionally male dominated position, I believe that as long as you love and are willing to study, women can do well. "With this passion and perseverance, Peng Mengyu has been working in the position of locomotive fitter for more than three years. At first, I encountered physical and experiential challenges. Maintenance work involved many operations that required strength, such as dismantling large components and moving heavy tools, which were very realistic challenges for women, "Peng Mengyu said." At that time, I often consulted my master and practiced the correct power posture, learned to use auxiliary tools, and strengthened physical exercise whenever I had free time. Gradually, my physical fitness improved and I completed my work more safely and efficiently. "These experiences made Peng Mengyu understand that difficulties are not scary, the key is to study and improve with dedication. Peng Mengyu believes that compared to male colleagues, female locomotive fitters are more meticulous and patient, and are more sensitive to equipment inspection, part measurement, and assembly accuracy. "Locomotive maintenance is demanding and responsible. Every time I finish the maintenance and see the locomotive safely leave the warehouse, my sense of achievement will arise spontaneously. I do 'physical examination' for the train on the China Laos Railway, which makes me more confident and strong." Peng Mengyu sincerely regrets that now she has a stable income, which can help her sister go to college, and often gives parents and brother pocket money. "My family is also proud that I can do important work on this important railway.". Peng Mengyu lives in Mengsai County, Oudomxay Province, northern Laos, where the China Laos Railway has a station. Before the railway was opened, it took me 12 hours by car to get home from Vientiane. Now it takes just over two hours by train, and I go home every month to visit my family, "said Peng Mengyu. With the opening and operation of the China Laos Railway for four years, more and more Lao women train stewards and maintenance personnel like Peng Mengyu have contributed to the rising cause of Laos railway. At present, Lao Zhong Railway Co., Ltd. has a total of 345 female employees, accounting for about 20%, which is higher than the average level of the international railway industry. They are active in locomotive, vehicle, communication, public works, passenger transport, train, coordination and many other posts, and assume the key responsibility of ensuring the safety and smoothness of the China Laos railway. In order to continuously optimize and improve the training mechanism for female employees, the China Laos Railway encourages female employees to study professional skills and bravely challenge management responsibilities by holding technical competitions, on-the-job training, training in China and other activities. In previous evaluations, female employees accounted for 40% and 21% of the "excellent Laotian employees" and "professional technical experts" respectively. More and more women are taking up the positions of class leaders and team leaders, gradually participating in railway production management work and growing into the first generation of railway professional technical management talents in Laos. I am very grateful to my Chinese masters who taught me not only the skills, but also the attitude towards work and facing difficulties. ”When it comes to the future, Peng Mengyu said that she hopes to be like her predecessors on the railway, "passing on her experience to young workers, helping more people like and root in this position, and becoming a role model for female technical workers". (New Society)