This train is No. 6417 and goes from Beijing to Chengde in Hebei province, and it will be replaced by air-conditioned train on July 1. [Photo / The Beijing News]

The "Green Train" in Beijing will be replaced by an air-conditioned train next month, according to the Beijing News.

The green train between Beijing and Chengde, departs from the Beijing Railway Station every afternoon, passing by the Beijing East Railway Station and Tongzhou West Station.

"The train should be replaced because it's old and slow," says Xie Yuxin, an elderly passenger who lives in Chengde and works in Beijing. "I have been taking this train since I was a child."

Sun Xingda, the conductor of this green train, says he is honored to have this replacement occur under his tenure.

"The condition and facilities on this train are very poor," said Sun.

Ma Lina, a 50 year-old steward who has worked on the green train for 32 years, is content with the change and is happy that it will take place before her retirement at the end of July this year.

The "Green Train" was named for its green carriages which were manufactured in the 1950s. It makes repeated appearances in modern literature and is a nostalgic piece of history for several generations.

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