Many railway employees from the city of Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region had to spend this Spring Festival, China's most important time for family reunions, on duty to deal with the travel rush and to keep trains running smoothly and safely for those who had the time to head home for the holiday.

One example was 44-year-old Liu Guibin, a conductor of a train, who was clocking his 11th Spring Festival on the train, without complaint and explains simply, "We usually hold a small party on the train where we can talk and sing and have a bit of fun during our work breaks to ease our homesickness."

Conductor checks tickets on a train. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Another example, Yan Pengyu a railway policeman, had to check passengers, exam luggage, and patrol in the station, for the 10th time, since taking the position a decade ago.

He explains that he has spent only four Spring Festivals with his family in all the years, since the workload during the festival is 50 percent more than during normal times but says that he is doing "exactly what a policeman should do" and that he hopes "to bring warmth and safety to passengers".

Railway police at work at Baotou railway station during Spring Festival. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Maintenance crew member checks the carriages at Baotou railway station during the Festival. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Another employee explained, "It's impossible for us not to want to be with our families for the festival, but the travel rush needs us here on duty and that's our responsibility to ensure a happy and safe festival celebration for the rest society. And, it's rewarding."