Shortly after sunrise, a mixed freight train on the Jitong Railway heads west out of Chabuga, Inner Mongolia, with a single QJ locomotive leading about 30 cars. Regular steam operations ended less... (more)

Ji Tong QJ 6986 approaches Galadesitai with a westbound freight, 19/11/04. ©www.railphotoprints.co.uk - John Chalcraft Click Her... (more)

Ji Tong railway QJ's 6735 & 6389 approaching Jing Peng Summit Tunnel, 11/11/96. ©www.railphotoprints.co.uk - John Chalcraft

A single QJ-class 2-10-2 steam locomotive leads a westward mixed freight train through the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, near Chaganhada Station on the Jitong Line.

Two shopworkers adjust the running gear of a QJ-class locomotives at Daban, just two months prior to the end of steam. In the background lurks one of the many DF4-class diesels that replaced the Q... (more)

QJ 6986 approaches Sandi Crossing as it climbs towards Jing Peng Summit with westbound coal empties, 19/11/04. ©www.railphotoprints.co.uk - John Chalcraft

Hard to believe this was only five years ago.

Two station agents are at attention as the westbound local passenger train slows for a stop at 5:35 PM.

This freight train showed up literally at the crack of dawn. The time is 6:10 AM as the westbound pulls hard between Yamenmiao and Lindong. I consider this shot as my celebration of 50 years of co... (more)

QJ 7007 sits under the stars in the Daban engine depot. The engine was steaming very lightly.

QJ 6911 leaves Daban with eight cars of the eastbound local passenger train at 6:26 AM.

Doubleheaded QJ 2-10-2s pull a westbound freight towards Daban. This trip with FarRail of Germany was the last of four trips to China and steam was now restricted to the Chabuga - Daban portion of... (more)

QJ 7002 pilots an unidentified classmate away from Daban towards the Jingpeng pass. Once in a while, I need to remind myself that this was not a fevered figment of my imagination, merely breathtak... (more)

QJs 2803 and 6963 bring a load of lumber downhill through the snow to Nancha on a freezing cold March day.

QJ 7164 assisted by an unidentified QJ battle the grade out of Meng Jai Wen with their load of oil tanks. 8.3.91