At sunset a loaded coal train drifts down towards the unloading point at Sandaoling Coal Mine in north west China. Date 4th March 2014.

In the morning light of a cold clear February day in 2015, JS8173 leads the first of many coal trains out of the big pit. In the next 10 hours of sunlight, JS8173 will haul 8 more loaded coal trai... (more)

JS8167 storms upgrade out of the giant opencast pit coal mine at Sandaoling, while JS8173 starts its train in the background. Soon JS8173 will load it's train and follow JS8167 up out of the pit. ... (more)

In the waning light of a gloriously cold and clear February day, JS #8173 storms through the Big Curve on the way out of the opencast pit coal mine at Sandaoling. This train is one of many 1300 to... (more)

A JS engine on a loaded coal train disturbs the peace as it charges the grade out of the open cut coal mine at Sandaoling in NW China. January 16th 2012.

As viewed from a man made tunnel in the side of a hill, a loaded coal train steam up out of the pit at Sandaoling Coal Mine, North West China on January 16th 2012.

Sandaoling has a large fleet of JS locos and just a few SYs. Here SY 1593 deals with cranes.

JS 8195 is seen powering up the grade from the coal loader in the open cast pit to the washer where its haul of coal will be unloaded.

Sandaoling Coal Mine Railway.Kengkou Station.

JS 8358 has just topped the steep grade outside of Erjing mine and will coast downgrade for the remainder of the trip to Nanzhan.

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 massiv... (more)

JS 8077 leads another coal train out of the Opean Cast Pit in the golden light at the end of another day at Sandaoling.

JS 8077 storms out of the loading area with a 1500+ ton coal train. The loading area is built on a steep grade, so loaded trains are immediately challenged upon leaving the flood tipple at the bot... (more)