For a brief moment, four crew members are silhouetted simultaneously as they go about their duties during the servicing stop at Jingpeng.

For once there is no wind and the exhaust stays clear of the train at this most exposed location. Simingyi viaduct is above the exhaust, and beyond that the long Xiakengzi straight.

Climbing higher than normal at the Jingpeng Pass was always exhausting, but could often be rewarded by spectacular views. A westbound freight emerges from Tunnel 6. The smudge of smoke in the cent... (more)

With his dung basket slung across his back, a goatherd takes a rest from tending his flock in the hills above Reshui. Meanwhile a pair of QJs are rounding the horseshoe from level 2 towards Tunnel... (more)

The usual pair of QJs climb towards Biligou in early morning light - a scene repeated countless times over the previous nine years, but the show was nearly at an end when this shot was taken.

Long steam trail at Biligou

Just another Tunnel Four shot.

Five minutes to sunset at Tunnel Four!

The normally sure footed QJ's slipped on the ice in the tunnel creating quite a sound and light spectacle.

The ice on the drivers and rods suggests it is seriously below zero as these two QJ's haul a train toward the summit.

Climbing JingPeng pass. Probably my last photo of true mainline steam in action. Too bad the steam leaks obscure the second engine! SiMingYi viaduct in background.

East bound crossing the Bridge at ErDi...(JingPeng Pass)