Meet Sonam Wangdrak – the former shepherd boy steering history across the 'Roof of the World.' 🌄 This 25-year-old from Lhorong County has become the first driver of Xizang Autonomous Region's groundbreaking Lhasa-Nyingchi railway, fulfilling a childhood dream that once seemed as distant as the Himalayan peaks.
Grassroots to Rails
Growing up tending yaks, Wangdrak would mimic train sounds while imagining tracks through his mountainous homeland. 'I'd race imaginary trains across the grasslands,' he laughs. His persistence paid off when he secured a spot at a railway academy through Xizang's vocational training initiative.
Engineering Marvel
The 435km electrified route Wangdrak now navigates isn't just any track – it's the world's highest-altitude electric railway, climbing through 47 tunnels and over 120 bridges. 🏔️⚡ The line has boosted regional connectivity since its 2025 opening, carrying everything from pilgrims to e-commerce goods.
Next Station: Inspiration
Wangdrak's journey has made him a local hero. 'If a yak herder like me can drive this technological wonder,' he says, 'anyone can rewrite their story.' His TikTok videos explaining rail operations have gone viral, sparking new dreams among Xizang's youth.
