A calm cold early mornig shot as 6953 gets ready for a train hauling eastwards.

Daban is still busy in this December view but it is quickly shutting down due to diesels comming in on this line.

The local passenger with 10 coaches, sleepers and diner restarts from Yamenmiao and quickly accelerates to the 80 km/h track speed. This must surely be the last steam-hauled main-line passenger s... (more)

Knowing glances are exchanged between hogger and photographer.

The wind has already blown away all the snow from the east side of Jingpeng pass, and is doing a fine job of clearing the exhaust as this pair of QJ's labour towards the summit.

A pair of QJ's on an uphill train is cleared by the lower quadrant semaphores to hold the main through Xiakengzi station; the locals get on with their threshing in somewhat unsanitary conditions!

An everyday scene at Jingpeng Pass, soon to be lost forever as the diesels make their inevitable march forward.

This engine (still in steam) is getting its boiler washed down and some light repair before getting a freash fire. Illumination is by a welding opperation shaded in the foreground. Behind me four ... (more)

The greatest steam show of the 21st century is winding down as this line becomes deiselized. Several areas remain all steam in China but not with the natural beauty or ruling grades of this line.

Two QJ's restart a loaded train from Fuxincheng. This line, built only in 1999 but 100% steam operated, was being electrified in 2004 with the juice due to be turned on early in 2005.

A pair of QJ's drifts into Fuxincheng with a standard train of 21 loads. The river is frozen solid but with afternoon temperatures well above freezing, spring is near at hand.

One of the Zhun Dong Railway's 14 QJ locomotives get attention. This 58-km coal hauling road was opened in December 1999 and is anticipated to be electrified in 2004.

A QJ's exhaust temporarily drowns out the temple bells as it leaves Lindong for Daban