JS 8190 runs quickly through the straight stretch above Baerzhan. Trains often use this half-mile stretch of straight track to gather speed before hitting the 2.5+% grade ahead.

Nothing like ringing in the New Year with revenue steam! JS 6224 stroms up the beginnings of the 2.5% grade out of Baerzhan while JS8167 waits in the head shunt spur for it's turn to be loaded. Ou... (more)

JS and Jordan Spreader

At the bottom of the opencast pit mine at Sandaoling, JS 6224 storms out of the flood loader with the second coal train of the day. This 13 car train will battle four miles of 2.5% grade before re... (more)

2-8-2 JS # 6224 during the shift change at Dongbolizhan.

Sunrise at Dongbolizhan during shift change in the morning at 8.50 AM, with four 2-8-2 JS steamlocomotives in the yard.

JS # 6224 belongs to the second built series of the "Jian She" ("construction") locomotives (# 6201 to 6558, built from 1981 to 1986 at Datong). They have a 53.94 in (1,37 mete... (more)

After sunset the 2-8-2 JS # 6224 is pulling a coal train to the washery at Xuanmeichang.

In the morning between about 8 and 9 AM, there is shift change at Dongbolizhan. Up to 4 JS steamlocomotives can be seen shunting, taking water and coal, get lubrification by the new staff, before... (more)

There is only very few vegetation in the large open cast coal pit of Sandaoling. Here are some lonely frozen puddles that allow grasses to grow. In the background JS # 6224 is tackling the grade o... (more)

2-8-2 JS # 6224 is leaving the loading area with a coal train up to the washery, while track workers are seen in the foreground.

"Jordan spreader" in action

JS ans Jordan spreader