Brief Biography

Chen Yi Xi　 (1844-1929 ) was born in Langmei village, Doushan town. When he was young, his family was so poor that he had to make a living by selling coil rope , needle and button. In 1864, he worked as cleaner and railroad building worker at the railway station in Seattle, U.S.A.Chen had been a railway construction foreman for nearly 40 years. In 1905 Chin returned to China, raised capital from fellow Taishan natives living in the United States and set about building his railway. The line was built in stages over a period of some 15 years. In 1920 ,the main line was constructed from Doushan to Beijie, and branch line was from Taishan to Baisha.

Chen Yi Xi died at the age of 85 years old. In memory of Chen Yi Xi, the board of directors of Xinning railway cast a bronze statue for him in the Taicheng station.