End of the line for steam trains

The Sandaoling locomotive driver team comprises more than 60 people, most of whom are over 50. Nearly 80 percent of the staff members will retire in the next three years. The rest will be moved to other positions, according to Liang, the head driver.

Ma is worried that when he retires in May, he won't be able to sleep without the clattering.

But Cheng has a dream to fulfill. "I just want to fly to Beijing after retirement to see what our capital is like," he said.