Exploring My Passion for Train Filming: A Journey Through Memory and History

When people ask about my hobbies, and I respond with, "I like train filming," the reactions are often with a look of astonishment, as though I've just revealed a strange and quirky secret. It's not exactly the most common pastime, but for me, it holds a special significance, one deeply rooted in both nostalgia and newfound purpose.

So how did I end up having this peculiar hobby?

The short version is, I picked up this unique hobby during the pandemic. But the longer version stretches back to my childhood in Kunming, Yunnan Province—a city blended with the charming remnants of its colonial past.

Growing up in Kunming, my home was just a stone's throw away from the narrow-gauge railroad, known locally as "the little train." Established by the French at the dawn of the 20th century, the railroad once served as a vital link in the city community. From the childhood memories that I could recall, the most long-lasting memory I had was hearing the gigantic sounds of the locomotive horn and watching the little trains passing by huge railroad crossings on busy roads on my way back home from school. The railroad wasn't just a mode of transportation; it was a gathering point for locals, with markets flourishing alongside its tracks. I also still remember the thrill of riding the small passenger coaches, traversing along the scenic routes between city center and suburbs.

For many years, I took this marvel for granted, living under the happy illusion that these little trains would forever chug along their routes. However, that illusion was shattered in December 2017 when the tracks were dismantled to make way for the Kunming No.4 Metro Line. In an instant, my childhood memories felt endangered, as the tiny trains vanished from my life, replaced by an entirely new urban landscape.

As the old saying goes, "You never miss the water until the wells run dry." In that moment, I understood the weight of archival memories—a personal history abruptly disrupted without warning. I had smartphones and cameras at my fingertips, yet somehow, I have not captured those moments. Memories are powerful, but without visual documentation, they can still eventually fade over time. It was this realization that ignited my new passion: train filming.

Beginning in 2021, amidst the challenges of pandemic, I set out on a quest to document the remaining active sections of the 464-kilometer-long meter-gauge railway. Armed with my camera and smartphone, I sought out the hidden corners of the rail line, capturing not just images but the sounds that echoed me back to the wonderful times of my childhood.

During the pandemic, as I navigated through the stress of studying overnight and the feeling of isolation that it brought upon me, the meter-gauge railway became my emotional refuge. It was a space where I could find peace, dig into my childhood memories, and regain a sense of self-confidence. Each video I created and posted on my BiliBili channel became a piece of my own storytelling, a mean to connect my past with my present.

To my surprise, my channel attracted an audience of passionate viewers, including some local photographic and historical experts that were also living nearby this little rail line. Through their guidance and support, my train filming journey is slowly transforming into a lively community engagement. And as I write this in 2025, my hobby continues to flourish, traversing the once-familiar tracks and uncovering stories that were in danger of being forgotten.

To me, train filming is not just about trains; it is a celebration of history and memories. Every documentation captures not only the essence of trains but also the emotion embedded in the fleeting moments of our lives. As I continue to explore this unique hobby, I remain grateful for the journey that has brought me back to the roots of my life.