Kids' corner brings smiles to young passengers
Dining car activities assuage children's restlessness while cooped up on long train journeys. Luo Wangshu reports.
Eight-year-old girl Huang Ziqin liked the soft-toy claw machine the best at the children's corner.
"I grabbed six dolls in four attempts," said the girl, who was traveling from Beijing to Nanning to visit her grandmother for the holiday.
"My grandson and granddaughter cannot sit still on the train, they were climbing up and down in the cabin, which is quite dangerous. We have to pay much attention to watching them. Now at the children's corner, they are so quiet and calm," said a passenger surnamed Geng, who was traveling with her 5-year-old grandson and 7-year-old granddaughter.
Deng Qingyun, who manages the dining car, assisted in preparing the corner.
"The children are very happy. When the time is up and we are about to close the center, they don't want to leave," she said.
"Although the area is pretty messy after the activity, I am more than happy to offer the service," she said.
Assistant train conductor Luo Huadong, helped the children with the building blocks and in catching dolls on the Jan 30 service.
"It is the most popular area today. When the doll catching machine turns on, the music attracts children's attention. Children are even lining up to catch dolls," the 27-year-old said, adding that he enjoyed spending time with the children.