48 years ago today, on August 1, 1977 (June 17, 1977 lunar calendar), Cheng Xiaogang, a Chinese mechanical engineering expert, passed away. Cheng Xiaogang (1892.8.16~ 1977.8.1) was a mechanical expert. A native of Yihuang, Jiangxi. In 1913, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Purdue University in the United States. Vice President and professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He has deep attainments in railway engineering, and has rich practical experience in the manufacture, repair and application of rolling stock, especially in the performance and operation of locomotives. He led experts to inspect the Japanese railway factory and related technical departments, and used it on the Jinpu railway after returning to China. After returning to China, he achieved remarkable results. Established Hunan Zhuzhou Machinery Factory and successfully trial-produced dual-use automobiles (rail and land). The experimental research on the transformation of 10-wheel large trucks as railway light and simple locomotives in Guilin Machinery Factory provided the direction and method for solving the traction power on only railway lines at that time and the tractors for railway works in the future. In 1955, he was selected as an academician (member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences). Evaluation: Pioneer of China's railway mechanical engineering, made outstanding contributions to the development of China's railway traction power.