The CRRC plant re-establishes manufacturing in a city that was known for its precision manufacturing and as a beehive of diversified production during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

It also was once a national center for railcar manufacturing, the home of Wason Manufacturing Co, which was one of the largest makers of railroad cars and locomotives in the US from 1845 until the Great Depression. But the area experienced an economic decline throughout the latter half of the 20th century, which was accelerated by the decommission of the Springfield Armory in 1969.

"Economically, I think it would have a large impact on this area, not just Springfield but Boston itself. The better what we do, the better the company does, and at this point it means more industries coming back, the more cars we can build. It means people in this neighborhood are going to be getting jobs, people are going back to manufacturing," said Vancini, who was a telecommunication installation technician before joining CRRC.

None of the 33 workers had been to China, so an orientation program was held in a renovated building at the site where CRRC's plant is under construction.

Students from the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley, Massachusetts, taught Vancini and her colleagues simple conversational Chinese: "Ni Hao. Qing Wen Zhe Ge Duo Shao Qian'' – "Hello'' and "Could you tell me how much this is?"

As for Vancini, the only woman among the 33 workers, she said her family, including a grandson, are going to "miss me, but they are behind me 100 percent".

Contact the writer at xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com