The 5647 train crosses a bridge in Weining County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Dec. 1, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A slow train passes by an apple orchard at Xiaolongdong Village of Xiaolongdong Township in Zhaotong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 29, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A villager shouldering apples for sale arrives at Caohai Station in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 30, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

Villagers transport apples at Xiaolongdong Village of Xiaolongdong Township in Zhaotong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 29, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
In 2003, the 5648/5647 train linking Zhaotong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, with Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, was put into use. With an average speed of 40 km per hour, the train stops at 18 stations along the way. The entire journey of 407 km takes 9 hours and 31 minutes. 

Local villagers see the "slow train" as a cost-effective and reliable way to travel to sell their farm produce to the world outside of the mountains. Efforts have also been taken by railway departments to help villagers sell apples, including promoting apples in the train by radio and adding an additional luggage carriage to store apples.

With low ticket fares, the train has been running for 18 years and is beloved by local villagers.