Deep in the Open Pit Coal Mine of Sandaoling, JS 8225 storms upgrade past JS 8077. JS 8225 is bound for the coal washery but first must surmount a grueling 2%+ grade that will challenge the massive 2-8-2. Meanwhile, JS 8077 is bound for the loading facility at the bottom of the pit for another 1500 tons of coal. Both locomotives are Jianshe (JS) class 2-8-2's built in 1986 and 1987 for the Sandaoling Coal Mine Railway, and have spent their lives working in the massive 14 square mile opencast mine. More importantly, this scene is current: Sandaoling is the last REAL steam show on the planet with over 25 locomotives in use 24/7.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
