Filling the tender for the start of the day at Dongbolizhan Station.

Billowing steam partially obstructs the Tian Shan mountain range. This line runs to the deep mines at Beiquan Erjing.

The air operated side tipping coal hoppers can dump their load to either side which will fall down through the grates for the shovels to drag out. The coal will then be sorted and loaded into truc... (more)

A worker sticks his head out of JS steam locomotive 8173 as it is almost ready to be moved out of the workshop at Jichangzhan.

A steam shop worker uses a torch to heat and repair a cylinder bore. With only a handful of locomotives still in operation and the scrap yard being used up, they keep what they can running working... (more)

This abandoned temple has since been torn down. A lot has changed in this area in the last year I have heard including more security checkpoints and police presence. When I was here, I felt very s... (more)

Every morning that was sub zero, ice would be an issue. The locomotives pipes and valve would come in frozen and needed to be thawed and drained before the next crew headed out on their shift. Eve... (more)

Almost to the top of the grade. This is at Kengkongzhan Station, the junction for Dongbolizhan Station. This train will keep going straight through to Xuanmeichang Washery to dump its load.

The mountains can be seen through an uncommonly clear horizon. This train will climb up the height of these walls over the next two miles loaded with coal. A coal truck can be seen racing down the... (more)

The sun has fallen out of sight as a loaded train thunders past 82 Station to build speed for the climb out of the pit.

The old pit can be seen below the unused coal tower at Dongbolizhan Station. It isn't common to have a train in the yard during the day as they normally stay busy between the mine and coal transfe... (more)

Fully loaded and pulling hard out of the mine past 82 Station cinders flying everywhere, whistle blowing, and drivers pounding the railhead. I will never forget my time in China and only wish I co... (more)

A special run out of the Sandaoling open Pit coal mine with what is called the "Sparkly Train". The crew runs the steam locomotive hard on the edge of wheel slip and creates an amazing show of bur... (more)