Although I went to Benxi steelworks to see their fleet of SY class 2-8-2 steam locomotives, there was (is?) a separate fleet of these ancient electric locomotives. Nos.1001 and 1013 are seen on th... (more)

The harsh mountains take on unreal hues under an impossibly azure sky. A pair of decorated QJs with 6638 piloting, drift lazily (and economically) downhill on the sharp curved approach to the famo... (more)

All was absolutely still and overnight mists still lingered. At 0700 the sun was yet to rise in Jingpeng valley. A rising crescendo of sound from an unseen source was building until - finally, th... (more)

Even on mining systems where coal haulage was king, a 'local' passenger service was operated daily. On a very bright and breezy morning SY 1320 gets away from Xinqiu heading back to the city.

Nothing quite evoked the word 'atmosphere' as much as when the great wooden barn doors were opened for us at Huludao MPD to reveal this glorious sight. The soft sighing of locomotives in light ste... (more)

The romance of steam is not quite so rose-tinted when you're working in half a gale at minus 15 degrees Centigrade and your 'career' is to shovel grit, char and ash all day long. Neither eye prote... (more)

In China, the most favoured method of coaling locomotives was by steam crane. Usually playing photographic 'second fiddle' to the mighty QJs. Here crane No.5187 is given top billing over a QJ comi... (more)

Steam and snow, back in 2004. Just eight years ago, when working steam with well-maintained and smartly decorated locomotives could still be guaranteed to provide thrilling sights like this. A dec... (more)

Another unseen image from 83 years ago finds ex-London & North Western Railway 'Prince of Wales' class inside cylinder 4-6-0 at the same location as my previous posting, but looking in the opposit... (more)

Discovering a previously unseen image from 83 years ago is quite a thrill, particularly when the location is one seldom photographed. The negative of this wonderfully evocative suburban scene arri... (more)

OK, so I went out to take steam, but a combination of my crazy dog and an unruly grandson does not mix with great line-side steam photography! A dusting of overnight snow meant that even this humb... (more)

The sight and sound of a Great Western Railway 'Castle' in full cry leaves a lasting memory in the worst of weather. In backlit lighting and cresting a summit, it raises the hairs on your neck and... (more)

Princess Elizabeth is still under power even though she is heading down hill towards Leeds with the 'York Yuletide Express' from Liverpool. She will return in darkness this evening, so I'll be tak... (more)

Princess Elizabeth makes a spirited departure from Elland hauling the 'York Yuletide Express'. She is hurtling past the site of Elland Station with a Liverpool to York special. Elland lost its sta... (more)

I make no apologies for this image as it's taken at one of the few open locations on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey that enjoys full sunlight in winter and who could resist such lovely late afternoon l... (more)