Walking a lonely track for 20 years

Yan Yong, 50, suffering the chills of minus 20 C, uses a piece of special iron rag to clean the rust on the rail track in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Jan 12, 2012. Yan has worked as a rail track walker for more than 20 years, walking more than 20 kilometers alone every working day. “I have got used to such a lonely status long time ago and my attention to work can be distracted if there is someone else talking to me,” said Yan. The length of rails that Yan has checked over past years can circle the Earth over three times. Yan will work as usual during the upcoming Spring Festival. Seeing his little grandson after work and making sure the rail is safe are the two things that make Yan feel happiest. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yan Yong uses a small mirror to check the blind spot of the rail track in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Jan 12, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]