Passengers often complain about the lack of air conditioning and the noise of train attendants shouting announcements down the carriages due to the lack of a modern public address system.

Many younger people in Shandong are even calling for the slow train to be scrapped, arguing that it is a waste of time and out-of-date.

Attendants on the "green train" between Zibo and Tai'an in Shandong province shout out the station announcements themselves, and the train only has electric fans installed, not air-conditioning. [Photo/wechat: taiandzwww]

Mr Xu says he understands their feelings, "but for us, it carries so many memories, so we hope the train will never disappear."

And there appears to be hope for Mr Xu, as the old train seems to be becoming a part of the region's cultural heritage, and even a tourist attraction.

"The pastoral scenery along the road is great, the ticket is so cheap, and I want my daughter to experience how her mother used to travel in her childhood," said one local resident.