Xue holds his four driving licenses. [Photo/Xinhua]

In 1985, Xue started work as a fireman, responsible for adding coal to the firebox of a steam locomotive.

"People admired me for working on a train, but they really didn't know how hard it was to work in a steam locomotive," he said.

A steam locomotive needs three people - two drivers and a fireman. At that time, Xue worked 12-hour shifts, during which he added about 6 tons of coal to the firebox.

Xue described his workplace on a steam train as dirty, messy and difficult. "After work, I was all covered in black," he said.

Two years later, he obtained a driving license for steam trains.

"The first month after I got the driving license, my salary was raised to 67 yuan ($11), 20 yuan higher than my father earned at that time," Xue said.

Xue drove steam trains for four years and got his license for diesel locomotives in 1992.

"My workplace was moved into a 'big and clean house'," he said.

"Only two people are needed on a diesel locomotive - an engineer and a conductor (usually called driver and deputy driver)," said Xue.