Shibanxi Heaven

The World's Last Real Steam
Narrow Gauge Passenger Railway
(and much more.....)
Click here to download sample clips

Back in late 2001, I first visited the narrow gauge railway at Shibanxi in Sichuan, south-west China. At the time it was barely known, but since then it has rightly become famous. The railway is some 20km long with 6 tunnels, a reversal and constantly changing semi-tropical scenery including both rural cottages and decaying 1950s Mao era brick flats. Steam operation is in the hands of Chinese standard C2 type with mainly 4 wheeled coaches and wagons constructed locally.

Ours are not the only reports, but they do contain a good impression of the kind of material included on this double DVD. Click below for the appropriate report:

November 2003 - Shibanxi - Narrow Gauge Finale?
November 2003 - Shibanxi - Minimum Gauge Operation - this is not the current operation featured on one of the DVDs but gives a good flavour.
March 2004 - Shibanxi Twilight
June 2006 - Shibanxi in Transition
June 2007 - Shibanxi Heaven

The images in these reports are entirely stills from our video record:

June 2007 - Early one Morning (in Bagou)
June 2007 - Behind the Scenes at Shixi
June 2007 - Shibanxi Coal Train
June 2007 - Shibanxi Passenger Train
June 2007 - The Backside of Yuejin Coal Mine

Thanks to the full co-operation of the owners, the Jiayang Power Company, and many people and organisations in the area, the contents of the DVDs include:

The steam hauled passenger train in operation, from the lineside, on board and on the footplate
The electric hauled coal trains between Shixi and the main mine at Yuejin
The steam hauled coal trains between Shixi and the small mine at Huangcun
A visit to the railway workshops and yards at Shixi
Man powered working on the dual gauge 300mm and 600mm mine system at Huangcun
Surface workings at the main mine at Yuejin including battery electric locomotives and cable worked spoil trains
Operation of the funeral coach attached to the regular passenger train

Click here for Keith Chester's review.

We believe in going 'the extra mile' to get our material ....

We have prepared 3 sample clips (reduced size 320 x 240, wmv format) which you can download:

Shibanxi Coal Train 1

also available

YouTube Version

Shibanxi Coal Train 2

also available

YouTube Version

Shibanxi Passenger Train

also available

YouTube Version

The material for these DVDs was filmed by independent film producers Rob and Yuehong Dickinson who spent more than a month filming here on three extended visits between 2004 and 2007. It was recorded in DV-AVI format and the result is a broadcast quality film, on two DVDs (60 minutes each part, coal trains and the passenger train). Like 'Logging Off', 'Sweet Spot' and 'Battlefield Heroes' this is not just another steam video, it is a total record of a way of life that has barely changed since the railway was opened nearly 50 years ago.

The full cost including postage is just U$50 / GBP 25 / Euros 34.

For full ordering information please send an email to , indicating where you would like the DVDs sent and we will advise available methods which will avoid excessive bank charges. Alternatively you can use this Paypal account but please make the payment in GBP (British Pounds) if possible, we would prefer UK residents to send a cheque or make online payment, we can advise an address/account.

(IMPORTANT: the addresses with "@" above are NOT LINKS which can be clicked, they are images, you will have to retype them for an email or Paypal transaction. Sorry but that has to be done to try to prevent the address being spammed.)