Length of the line is 12km. The line branches off the CNR about 1.5km west of Haishiwan CNR yard und crosses the Datong River (Datonghe / 大通河) on a large and scenic concrete viaduct, which is more or less parallel to the even more scenic concrete arch viaduct of the CNR line to Xining. Once on the Qinghai side of the river, the local railway swings northwards and follows the Datong river through its spectacular gorge for the next 6 or 7 km - constantly uphill. Three tunnels, two galleries and numerous bridges are featured in the gorge. At about km 8, just between the galleries and the cement factory (Shuinichang / 水泥厂), the summit is reached. Beyond the cement factory, the valley widens, the line goes downhill until the river is crossed on a low concrete viaduct (heavyly spoiled by poles!) at about km10. The final stretch into YaoJie (now in Gansu province again) is uphill again passing settlements and industrial areas.
In addition to the Haishiwan "main line", the YaoJie Tielu also operates the two branch lines from YaoJie to the 1st and 3rd coal mine (Yikuang and Sankuang), each about 2 to 3 km long.
The gorge is easily accessed by the parallel road on the Gansu side of the valley. Bridges to the "Qinghai" side exist close to Haishiwan (main road bridge to Xining just between the local railway and CNR viaduct) as well as at the two hydropower plants in the gorge. The first is just 500m north of the Xining main road at approx. km 2.5, the other one in the middle of the gorge at about km 5. There is a very frequent bus and minibus service between Haishiwan and YaoJie. Intervals are usually less than 5 minutes, fare is 2Y. At Haishiwan, you may also need to take urban bus no.1 as it connects the city center to the CNR railway station (flat fare 0.5Y).
Traffic
is almost exclusively coal from the two coal mines to Haishiwan CNR. Three SYs are in daily use: two for line work to Haishiwan, the third one performs the trips to the mines. A fourth SY is standby at the railway`s depot at the east end of YaoJie yard. Altogether, the railway owns seven steam locos, six workable SYs and a derelict JF, which is dumped at a compound west of YaoJie yard.
As all locos of the YaoJie Tielu face south, the uphill empty trains from Haishiwan are tender first, due to the grades always using both "line work SYs". Trains can be both double-headed (more frequently during our visit) or banked - no general rule applies. Very hard work for the SYs! Loaded trains southwards to Haishiwan are funnel first single-headers, but trains usually require a banker for the grade between km10 and the cement factory. Banking is either performed by the second line loco (which remains at the train`s rear till Haishiwan then) or by the mine trip loco which will detach at the summit and return light engine to YaoJie.
The trips to the mines are pushed with the SY funnel-to-train for empties. Loaded trains return from the mines hauled, but tender first of course. Trips to the mines are not too frequent, maybe one or two in three hours.
During our 3-day-visit, a very reliable operation scheme applied: in the morning, at around 08:30, a loaded train leaves YaoJie. After a short turnover at Haishiwan, a train of empties returns around 09:30-10:00. Then operation stops for the "lunch break" with all three locos idle at YaoJie for up to 2 hours. Another loaded train to Haishiwan is prepared around noon, but it never departed before 13:30 to 14:00. If the train is too long, it may be split and conveyed to Haishiwan as two separates trains. As soon as both line locos are at Haishiwan (note, that the second line loco may also go to Haishiwan as a light engine working!), a train of empties operates again, leaving Haishiwan somewhen between 15:30 and 18:00.
Delays may occur after rain showers. Then, due to risk of landslips, each freight train operates only after a "clearence and inspection trip" using the railway`s "diesel motor trolley" railcar. Note that the road also can be partly or completely blocked by landslips which seem to be no unusual event in this area.
Railway staff at YaoJie was extremely friendly and helpful including the railway police officers who patrol through the station.
B) Tiehejinchang Tielu / 铁合金厂铁路
The TieHeJinChang Tielu operates the 14 km long line between YaoJie and Tiehejinchang. Both railway staff and Michael Rhodes indicated, that several large viaducts can be found along this railway but we didn`t go there due to bad weather. North of YaoJie, the line is uphill against northbound trains.Traffic
Transported goods is also mainly coal, which originates from the two YaoJie mines. The TieHeJinChang TieLu takes over the coal wagons at YaoJie yard, which were brought in from the mines by the YaoJie Tielu`s SY. Possible destinations for the coal are the power plant at LianCheng (LianChengDianChang / 连城电厂) some 3kms north-east of YaoJie and the Aluminium Smelter at Tiehejinchang (Note that the name "Heqiao" is uncommon - local people always refered to Tiehejinchang as the line`s terminus). Wagons for the power plant can be easily identified, as they are private ones featuring the name of the power plant at their sideboards.
In contrast to the YaoJie Tielu, all TieHeJinChang locos face north meaning that loaded trains are funnel first, too (if you are on funnel first trains, it is very convenient just to observe loaded wagons waiting at YaoJie yard...). Due to the gradients against loaded trains, both trains to the Liancheng Power Plant and Tiehejinchang have to be double-headed if trains are longer than 10-12 wagons providing excellent trash!
During our visit, there usually were 2 departures of loaded trains during the YaoJie`s lunch break. Two SYs are in daily use, a third is on standby. They tend to have very tight turnovers at YaoJie, partly less than 10 minutes between arrival and re-departure. Staff indicated about 3 trains per day to the Tiehejinchang and "many" trips to the Liancheng Power Plant. The depot is at the Tiehejinchang, but repairs are carried out at the YaoJie railway`s depot, too.
Locos seen:
| TieHeJinChang TieLu | SY | 0150, 0633(oou), 0737(oou), 1097, 1321, 1402(oou), 3020 |
|---|---|---|
| YaoJie TieLu | SY | 0362, 0527, 0681, 0990, 1103, 1713 |
| JF | 1 loco (unidentified, dumped at YaoJie) |
Locos in bold letters were actually seen. The numbers of the other TieHeJinChang locos were indicated by a loco driver. Repairs and overhauls of the locos of both companies are carried out either at Baiyin or Tianshui.
Accomodation
Around Haishiwan CNR some lüdians exist (10Y, as everywhere). Note, that the HaiShi "Binguan" just next to the station is a fake, as it is in fact also a lüdian. Additionally, it refused to accomodate foreigners. We were made to leave it after the first night by a military official... (fortunately, competition is everywhere - the lüdian some doors away was even better than the "HaiShi BinGuan" and did not "complain" about foreign guests. Two clean bathhouses also exist next to the station (shower 2Y/person).
We were told, that the so called "better" hotels (= more expensive but less suitably situated) are either in town north of the CNR track or nearby the cement factory south the station.
Other steam operations in Gansu/Qinghai
In addition to the YaoJie system, railway staff told us that they are aware of steam locomotive operations at Baiyin, Liujiaxia and at the steelworks of Xining. The latter one has got 6 steam locomotives (I think SYs only, but according to staff also QJs!).
3) Liujiaxia, Mar 3rd 2005
On March 3rd, JS 8226 was observed arriving with the mixed from Liujiaxia from the window of the passing T295 Lanzhou-Wulumuqi.4) Sandaoling, Mar 4th-6th 2005
Few to add to previous reports. Facts of interest:- The coal output of the open cast mine was very low : more than two thirds of the coal going to Liushuquan CNR yard came from the two Beiquan deep mines.
- The passenger train worked as indicated by Bernd Seiler.
- The open cast was busy, but only with spoil trains (about 15 locos employed). Two of the spoil trains were not working tender first by the way offering some (unexpected) funnel first workings in the open pit.
- The transport department used JS 8053, 8358 and 8366. I think, that 8353 is misreported 8053 only. (From about 100m distance, I also thought to have read 8353 on the cab, but think it was 8053).
Though a quite interesting operation, I think that 2 days are enough for this system provided good weather. We spent our third day at the CNR main line to Wulumuqi (aroung Liushuquan CNR) as we didn`t have any ideas where to go for steam without duplication...
Locos seen:
| JS | 6206, 6208, 6209, 6210, 6223, 6224, 6259, 6261, 6430, 8027, 8040, 8053, 8055, 8078, 8080, 8081, 8167, 8190, 8195, 8197, (8353??, maybe 8053), 8358, 8366, 8368 |
|---|---|
| SY | 1593 |
Accomodation&Transport
There are Iveco buses between Hami bus terminal (about 4 km south-east of the CNR station) and Sandaoling about every 30 to 60 minutes. Fare is 10Y only, travel-time some 90 minutes. Buying CNR sleeper tickets for the numerous express trains westwards was no problem at all! Almost any AC train still had some berths during the next days. Only the cheap (green) Non-AC trains were almost booked out.
There is no need at all to stay at Hami when visiting Sandaoling! At Sandaoling, the recently opened "Yinhe Jiudian" / 银河酒店 offers excellent and comfortable rooms at 188Y, but discounts to 120Y. 24h hot water, friendly staff and an excellent restaurant in the basement offering superb Xinjiang dishes (e.g. tomato-beef-soup or lamb in ginger and herbs). Our best hotel of the whole trip!
5) Yinghao, March 8th-9th 2005
Again, few to add: loco 3 served the Liangwa mine, 14 and 17 did the line work performing 4-5 return trips to Yinghao during daylight. All locos were in rather bad external shape as expected, but performed well. The whole area seems to be in very final decline! I have never seen an area with as many derelict buildings and industries as in Yinghao and Huangmen! The "famous" hotel at the main road drops in perfectly: overpriced (60Y for the suite, 40Y for a double), no heating, strange staff and no water at all during the two days we were there (not even cold one!). So, you even had to go to the public toilet (or somewhere in the countryside), if you did not want to have a distinct "taste" in your room... Similar is the bathhouse, which was amongst the worst we have ever visited so far!Last but not least, Yinghao was one of the few places visited on this trip, where taxi drivers wanted doubled or tripled prices from us. A particular one even has to be classified as a liar: we had agreed 15Y for the trip to Liangwa, but as soon as we were on the way, he wanted 20Y. Of course, he got 15Y only ... (and lost his face...).
Locos seen (complete ones only):
| C2 | 3, 13(cold), 14, 17 |
|---|
Conclusion: You`ll have to have a strong liking for morbid charme till you feel well in this area...
6) Mianchi, March 9th 2005
Seems to have been (partly? completely?) dieselised. The only loco seen moving was DF10D 0049 at Mianchi yard lettered "YiMianTieYun" / 义渑铁运 (Yima-Mianchi Railway Traffic).7) Pingdingshan, Mar 10th-13th 2005
Few to add. However some comments:- Previous reports suggested, that the far western end of the coal railway would see few if any coal trains. This is nonsense! On Mar 10th in the afternoon, two JS (8030, 8031) were busily employed serving the various coal mines around Dazhuang and Gaozhuang (plus JS 8062 on passenger duty). At least two branch lines to further coal mines exist in this area, too. The stations and coal mines offer excellent photographic potential (especially Dazhuangkuang station). Spots are at least as good as the PDS mines, probably even better!
Note, that the freight locos are outstationed at Baofeng and do not reach PDS under normal circumstances. - Between Mar 11th-13th, the Zhongxin station building was pulled down. A "binguan" will be built there instead. Part of the footbridge was dismantled as well. Access to the platforms is now via the road crossing just west of the station.
- The "KuangGong" Hotel just next to the "PingMeiJiTuan" building (PDS coal mine administration) some 300m south of Zhongxin offers rooms at 100Y per night (24h hot water).
- Orange GDKD1 0021 diesel hauled the evening passenger train Bailu-Wugang on Mar 11th. Bailu can be reached by urban bus no.24.
Complete passenger timetable
Zhongxin - Shisankuang (13th mine)
| 303 | 305 | 301 | 302 | 304 | 306 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 13:40 | 21:50 | Zhongxin / 中心 | 02:00 | 10:00 | 18:10 |
| 06:07 | 13:47 | 21:57 | Xi Zhan / 西站 | 01:54 | 09:54 | 18:04 |
| 06:11 | 13:51 | 22:01 | Damalu / 大乌路 | 01:50 | 09:49 | 17:59 |
| 06:16 | 13:56 | 22:06 | Tianzhuang / 田庄 | 01:46 | 09:45 | 17:55 |
| 06:24 | 14:04 | 22:14 | Shenxi | 01:38 | 09:37 | 17:47 |
| 06:32 | 14:12 | 22:22 | Bakuang (8th mine) / 八矿 | 01:31 | 09:30 | 17:40 |
| 06:44 | 14:24 | 22:34 | Fanzhuangzhan / 范庄站 | 01:19 | 09:18 | 17:28 |
| 06:52 | 14:32 | 22:42 | _yunzhen | 01:10 | 09:09 | 17:19 |
| 07:01 | 14:41 | 22:51 | _yunshuyuan | 01:01 | 09:00 | 17:10 |
| 07:10 | 14.50 | 23:00 | Shisankuang (13th mine) / 十三矿 | 00:50 | 08:50 | 17:00 |
Zhongxin - Hanzhuang
| 103 | 105 | 101 | 102 | 104 | 106 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:40 | 13:30 | 19:15 | Zhongxin / 中心 | 06:50 | 12:00 | 17:58 |
| 07:46 | 13:36 | 19:21 | Qikuang (7th mine) / 七矿 | 06:45 | 11:55 | 17:53 |
| 07:57 | 13:47 | 19:33 | Wukuang (5th mine) / 五矿 | 06:34 | 11:44 | 17:42 |
| 08:04 | 13:54 | 19:40 | Jiukuang (9th mine) / 九矿 | 06:28 | 11:38 | 17:35 |
| 08:15 | 14:05 | 19:52 | Miao_ | 06:17 | 11:26 | 17:23 |
| 08:23 | 14:13 | 20:00 | Mapaoquan / 马跑泉 | 06:09 | 11:18 | 17:15 |
| 08:33 08:38 | 14:23 14:28 | 20:10 20:15 | Baofeng / 宝丰 | 05:57 05:58 | 11:02 11:07 | 16:59 17:04 |
| 08:46 | 14:36 | 20:23 | Yingzhuang / 影庄 | 05:51 | 10:55 | 16:52 |
| 08:54 | 14:44 | 20:31 | _shichang | 05:43 | 10:47 | 16:44 |
| 09:04 | 14:54 | 20:41 | Guo_zhen | 05:35 | 10:39 | 16:36 |
| 09:11 | 15:04 | 20:48 | _ _kuang | 05:25 | 10:31 | 16:26 |
| 09:18 | 15:08 | 20:58 | Junyinggou / 军营沟 | 05:18 | 10:24 | 16:19 |
| 09:24 | 15:14 | 21:04 | Dazhuangkuang / 大庄站 | 05:13 | 10:18 | 16:13 |
| 09:29 | 15:19 | 21:10 | Dazhuangzhan / 大庄站 | 05:07 | 10:12 | 16:07 |
| 09:38 09:40 | 15:28 15:30 | 21:19 21:21 | Gaozhuangzhan / 高庄站 | 05:00 21:41 | 10:02 10:00 | 15:56 15:54 |
| 09:45 | 15:35 | 21:20 | Hanzhuangzhan / 韩庄站 | 21:36 | 09:55 | 15:49 |
Locos seen:
| JS | 5644, 6225, 6429, 6539(hd,oou), 8030, 8031, 8054, 8057, 8062, 8065, 8120, 8122, 8338 |
|---|---|
| QJ | 2035, 6450(4x-Tender), 6813(oou), 7186 |
| SY | 0758(oou), 1002, 1209, 1687 |
| DF10D | 0060 |
| GKD1 | 0021(Wugang Steelworks) |
8) Wanyuan / Qinghua, Mar 14th 2005
Wanyuan-BaishaThe Wanyuan-Baisha branch line (very spectacular alignment - numerous bridges and tunnels, steep grades in both direction) is CNR property and worked by Wanyuan`s DF7 pilot. Few trains though. In contrast to the maps, the line continues beyond Baisha for at least 3-4 kilometers. Further investigation was stopped by police, as Baisha is restricted area... The remarkably long 3 hours at the police office including calling and arrival of a senior police officer from Wanyuan plus the taking of our fingerprints indicate, that the "restricted area" there seems to one of the more "severe" ones...
At least, the police officers told us, that steam at Baisha ended in 1999 and that the only steam locomotives in the area are at Qinghua Steelworks...
Qinghua Steelworks
Qinghua is 14 km south of Wanyuan, the first CNR station towards Dazhou. About two kilomters south of Qinghua a very small steelworks is situated at a point where the gorge widens a bit. The steelworks has 2 SYs, one is in use. It is connected to Qinghua CNR by a some 2 km long track, most of which is parallel to the CNR main line. Locos face south. Due to the general layout, it seems that trains into the steelworks are likely to be pushed, leaving trains hauled tender first. So, few photo possibilities though the surrounding spectacular gorge...
9) Shibanxi, Mar 16th-19th 2005
Basically as reported by Peter Patt.- Passenger trains
Retimings have appeared: departures ex Shixi are now at: 07:00, 10:30, 14:00, 17:30. (allowing some extra sleep in the morning...). All three locos were seen hauling pax trains at least once with 09 the usual performer. - Fares
The special fares for foreigners are also applied to Chinese tourists. So, they seem to be semi-official. In contrast to other visitors, who had paid up to 33Y, the "tourist fare" seems to be the tripled "ordinary price". This means:
Shixi-Mifeng: 6Y
Shixi-Caiziba: 9Y
Shixi-Bagou/Huangcunjing: 15Y
Reasonable prices, I think, as the benefit of a ride for "tourists" is also higher than for locals who have no alternative to the train. 15Y for a 20km long ride on a "tourist railway" are not too high, isn`t it?. - Freight trains
A freight train to Bagou/Huangcunjing operated daily, usually in the morning (ex Shibanxi between 08:00-09:00). Both days when we were around Mifeng, a second freight train operated in the afternoon (appr. 15:00 ex Shixi). Freight trains were hauled by 14 or (less frequently) by 07 . - Locos
electric 01, 03 C2 07, 09, 14 - Buses
At Shixi at least two or three connecting buses to Qianwei wait at the main road (fare 3Y) for the arriving ng passenger trains. In general, buses to Qianwei are quite frequent (intervals are about every 20 minutes or so). There are also buses to Yuejin (1.5Y from Shixi). Lettered destination is "3rd mine" (Sanjing / 三井). A taxi to Yuejin is available for some 10Y. - CCTV Broadcast
On Feb 11th 2005, the railway was featured in a CCTV report. Everybody around is very proud of this! You may even buy a VCD with this broadcast either at Shixi station (there is a souvenir seller just before the 10:30 departure - but not at 07:00, of course (probably too early for Chinese...) or at the ticket counter at Caiziba stop. The railway is now very well known, not only in the closer proximity: even at Chongqing and Ganshui, non-railway knew it by name ("Jiayang Tielu") when we told them we that we were photographing steam locos!
Downside of the CCTV broadcast is, that the bogie car`s sides have been painted with yellow-and-white CCTV slogans. Fortunately, they were already almost unreadable 5 weeks after the broadcast... - Tourist Railway
The railway was bustling with tourists! On some trains, up to 10 or 12 tourists (both railfans and Chinese tourists) were on board. If you intend to take photos, make sure that you come Mo-Fr and not at weekends, as number of "tourists" seemed to be extremly high on weekends. Why are other tourists a problem you may ask? Well, they are doing strange things. A 6-person-group of journalist from Chengdu for example had brought along a so called "model" (though she looked rather like a prostitute...) and wanted her to pose in their shots of the passing train. Other Chinese tourists wanted us to act as "actors" in their films e.g. we should talk to a 3 year old girl and ask her to sing a song about the railway for us... Another (Chinese) tourist got off the train at Mifeng, hired a motorbike and trundled along the track just in front of the train... - Accomodation
If you do not need the luxury of a "proper" hotel at Qianwei, an alternative is to stay at Shibanxi. There is a very friendly and quite clean lüguan at the main road just below the railway station (7Y per person). Another lüguan exist, too: branch off the main road some 500m north of the station and go down into the center of town. At the lowest point of this street, the lüguan is reached.
Conclusion: Shibanxi is real gem! One of the best places visited during our trip!
10) Ganshui, Mar 21st-22nd 2005
Nothing to add. SY1501 has arrived from dieselised Chongqing Steelworks. The lüguan just next to the tunnel entrance at Ganshui has got an excellent room just 2m away from the passing SYs providing a couple of much appreciated disruption of your sleep... ("there is music in the air..."). The railcar service between Baiyan and Ganshui connects to the noon CNR passenger trains (Chongqing-Zunyi and vice versa) at Ganshui. The railcar arrives at Ganshui ca. 11:00, redeparts ca. 12:50. It is a cheap (3Y to Qingqihai) and very fast possibility to get to the line.At Qingqihai, we met a group of local enthusiasts (Songzhao railway staff!!) who were also taking photos of their steam locomotives...
As trains between Chongqing and Ganshui tend to be crowded, best access probably is by express bus via the new expressway. Buses depart at Chongqing`s "Nanling bus terminal" (about 4-5 km south of the CNR station), cost 26Y (to Ganshui) and travel less than 90 minutes.
Locos seen:
| SY | 0329, 1148, 1197(cold), 1198(cold), 1199, 1501, 1656 |
|---|
11) Ma`anshan, Mar 26th 2005
With heavy rain in the morning we decided to have a (unplanned) "exploration" visit to Ma`anshan using Julien Blanc`s private car (45min from Nanjing via expressway).In general, there was few steam action going on with most steamed locos standing around idle. Two SYs (1670 and 1733) performed transfer trips between the CNR Ma`anshan yard and the industrial yard next to the depot. Another two SYs (1337 and 1715) hauled slag or molten iron trains at the blast furnace further west. All other steamed SYs moved not a single meter during the whole afternoon as did 7 GK1/GK1C at the loco stabling point, too.
Other locos in use were one GK1, GK1C and GK1F each plus three DF7C. As it was Saturday, the security needed almost two hours to make us leave the area. The guy was very sorry to have to make us leave but told us, that the order came from his chief.
At the "Second Power Plant" (ErDianChang / 二电厂), nothing was moving, too with 2 GK1 and GK1C present. But security guards arrived already after a couple of minutes... The industrial yard north-west of the CNR station also contained two locos doing nothing: one SY and one GK1C. Another sad sight are the 12 dumped/derelict SYs in the depot.
Locos seen:
| SY | 0024(10/66), 0047(oou), 0053, 0054(cold), 0129(oou), 0138(oou), 0214(oou), 0254(oou), 0503(oou), 0627(oou), 0729(oou), 0784(oou), 0789(oou), 0790(oou), 1337, 1361, 1481(8/86), 1499(oou), 1551, 1552(cold), 1670(11/89), 1715(Tangshan 9/91), 1732, 1733 |
|---|---|
| DF7C | 5656, 5688, 5698, 5699 |
| GK1 | 0011(Ziyang/1992), 0013(Ziyang/1992), 0014(Ziyang/1993), 0015(Ziyang/1993), 0035(Ziyang/1994), 0046, 0048(Ziyang/1995), 0081, 0082 |
| GK1C | 0109(Ziyang/2001), 0110, 0259(Ziyang/2004), 0214(Ziyang/2004) |
| GK1F | 1039 |
12) Zhenjiang Limestone Railway, Mar 27th 2005
Was as reported with 2 JS in use (6286, 6536). According to Julien, traffic was remarkably quiet during our visit. Trains tend to run after 10:00 only. So late afternoon visits are to be best as locos face north. JS 6210 had been recorded under steam on Mar 25th at Nanjing Xi depot, probably receiving some repairs there.Staff indicated, that dieselisation is expected in 2005.
Locos seen:
| JS | 6064(oou), 6210, 6286, 6536, 8119(oou) |
|---|
Part II: CNR Operation
1) Lanzhou Area, Feb 27th-Mar 3rd, Mar 7th 2005
Four main lines radiate from Lanzhou to Wuwei, Gantang, Baoji and Xining.a) Lanzhou - Wuwei Nan
- Passenger Trains
Express trains are mostly SS7D hauled, also some SS7E. The stopping passenger trains from Lanzhou to WuweiNan and Xigucheng are SS3 hauled. All locos are from Lanzhou depot. - Freight Trains
Most trains are SS1 hauled, a few SS3 also appear. Between Daichaigou and WuweiNan - over the once famous "Tianzhu Pass" - a second loco assist, also either a SS1 or SS3 providing double-haeded trains over the pass. A large portion of trains are oil tanker block loads. - Line
In contrast to Quails map which shows the entire Lanzhou-Wuwei line as double tracked, almost the whole section between HekouNan and Wuwei is still single track, but heavily used, of course. "Doubling" is under way, but more more exactly a completly new line is being built that joins the old line only in a couple of stations. Alignment suggests possible speeds of 160-200 km/h on the new tracks - a considerable speed up compared to the 30-60 km/h on the current line. Between Daichagou und Gulang, a long base tunnel is being built as a replacement of the Tianzhu Pass. So, within a couple of years, Tianzhu will be very much a "memory from the past".
The "pass" section between Gulang and Chaxitan is by far the best area for photography. Also scenic are large parts of the Lanzhou to HekouNan section including the HuangHe viaduct at Hekou and the suburbs of Lanzhou. Some tunnels can be found here, too.
b) Lanzhou - BaiyinXi (-Gantang)
- Passenger Trains
Exclusively hauled by Lanzhou based SS3.
Note, that the Lanzhou-Gantang stopping passenger has been cancelled. The northbound passenger train to Changzheng now leaves Lanzhou two hours earlier in the headway of the former Gantang passenger train. At BaiyinXi it connects to the newly established BaiyinShi-BaiyinXi-Gantang passenger train, which consists of two YZ22 coaches only. The Changzheng train has also become shorter - only 2 YZ22 plus 1 RW(!!) now! - Freight Trains
During the last half year, brand new SS3B(G) double-units of Yingshuikou and LanzhouXi depot have replaced most "old" SS3. The former quadruple-SS3-headed trains have two SS3BG now, but most train have only one SS3BG or occasionally by a pair of "ordinary" SS3. - Line
Scenic sections/ photo spots:
- HuangHe River Bridge at Lanzhou
- first 10 km north of the HuangHe Bridge
- last 15km south of BaiyinXi
- north of Baiyin Xi: unexplored
c) Lanzhou - Dingxi (-Baoji)
Observations relate to the Lanzhou-Dingxi section only. I do not know whether freight trains change loco between Lanzhou and Baoji or operate through.
- Passenger Trains
Mostly SS7E (both XiŽan and Lanzhou depots), some expresses with SS7D, stopping passenger Lanzhou-Dingxi with SS3 (Lanzhou depot). - Freight Trains
Exclusively SS3 double headed trains were seen. - Line
Between the HuangHe Bridge (Gantang line) and Xiaguanying, several photogenic viaducts are passed. Xiaguanying to Dingxi section follows a wide valley on its southern rim close to the surrounding low mountains.
d) Lanzhou - Haishiwan (-Xining)
- Passenger Trains
Except for the two pairs of Lanzhou-Xining T-trains (which are the NZJ2 diesel unit), all trains have green DF4 (both Xining and LanzhouXi depots). - Freight Trains
100% green DF4 (both Xining and LanzhouXi depots) - Line
In addition to the scenic electrified Lanzhou-HekouNan section, most spectacular are the 8km between HekouNan and Bapanxia, the HuangHe Viaduct at Bapanxia (military guards on both sides!), a range of mountains (as backdrop) some 3-4 km east of Haishiwan and the scenic DaTongHe Bride (also military guards on both sides!) 2 km west of Haishiwan at the border between Gansu and Qinghai.
Locos seen:
| DF4 | 0083, 0134 (Xi), 0270, 0506(Xi), 0704, 1075(Ning), 1076(Ning), 1477(Xi), 1631 (Xi), 1632(Xi), 1633(Xi), 1641(Bai), 1644(Xi), 1935(Xi), 3251, 3803(Xi), 6052(Bai), 6138(Bai), 7007(Bai,decorated) |
|---|---|
| DF5 | 1175, 1688, 1782, 1814, 1816, 1831, 1861, 1876, 1974(low-nose) (all LanzhouXi) |
| DF7 | 5041, 5042 (both LanzhouXi) |
| NZJ2 | 0006(Lanzhou Xi !!) |
| SS1 | 229, 292, 325, 351, 352, 353, 354, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 380, 381, 419, 425, 576, 577, 580, 581, 582, 636, 639, 640, 641, 643 (all Lanzhou Xi) |
| SS3 | 0007(Xi), 0142(Xi), 0286(Xi), 0361(Xi), 0363(Xi), 0387, 0395(Lan), 0401(Lan), 0409(Xi), 0416(Xi), 0417(Xi), 0418, 0422(Xi), 0441, 0540(Xi), 0556, 0573, 0579(Xi), 0584, 0592(Xi), 0597(Xi), 0609(Lan), 0610(Xi), 0611(Xi), 4215(Lan), 4218(Lan), 4220(Xi), 4221(Xi), 4223(Xi), 5053(Xi), 5054(Xi), 5057(Lan), 6017, 6068, 6082(Lan) |
| SS3BG | 0017, 0043(Ying), 0046(Ying), 6032(Ying) |
| SS7C | 0021, 0025, 0029, 0043, 0044, 0047, 0060, 0061, 0062 (all Lanzhou Xi) |
| SS7E | 0021, 0044(Lan), 0050(Lan) |
2) Hami Area, Mar 4th-6th 2005
The Wulumuqi to Jiayuguan double track main line passes through flat and featureless dessert area. At Hami, all trains change loco (both passenger and freight trains). Note, that most of the line is protected by fences against people entering the tracks. Therefore, photography is quite difficult. Additionally, there seem to be radar or laser installations parallel to the tracks which detect "intruders" - either the "railway police" or the "railway military" will come then and make you leave ... In general, freight traffic is quite dense - up to 5 freight trains per hour and direction may appear, but also breaks of up to 1,5 hours without train.Hami-Tulufan
Express trains are hauled by Wulumuqi based DF11. The (unadvertised) stopping passenger train Shulanhe-Wulumqi has got DF4. Freight trains are single headed and use DF4s of Hami depot, about 80-85% green DF4/DF4B, the rest blue or blue-and-creme DF4C.
Hami-Dunhuang
East of Hami, the DF11s on the fast trains are Hami based ones. Liuyuan depot seems no longer to exist, all its locos being Hami based now.
All freight trains seen east of Hami were double-headed. On a random basis DF8Bs (60%), DF4C (25%) and DF4B (15%) combine with each other.
Locos seen:
| DF4B | 0150(1977), 0151(1977), 0251(1978), 0280, 0297, 0566, 0592(1983), 0597, 0723(deco), 0754(1985), 1001, 1008(1983), 1013(1984), 1278, 2009(DF4C), 3236, 3499, 3815, 7210, 7215(1988), 7264, 7273, 7275, 7504, 9362, 9363, 9283, 9382 (all Hami) |
|---|---|
| DF4C | 4038, 5038(1997), 5050, 5051, 5052, 5225(1999), 5228(1999), 5229, 5230(1999), 5231, 5232, 5269, 5273(1999) (all Hami) |
| DF8B | 5177, 5179, 5270, 5273, 5346, 5351, 5376, 5380, 5383, 5415, 5417, 5423, 5486, 5488, 5546, 5547 (all Hami) |
| DF11 | 0183(Wu), 0227(Hami), 0228(Wu), 0229(Wu), 0231(Wu), 0358(Wu) |
3) Wuwei Area, Mar 7th 2005
Jiayuguan-Zhangye-WuweiNan
Jiayuaguan based DF11 work the passenger trains between Jiayuguan and WuweiNan without loco change at Zhangye. Freight trains, however, change loco at Zhangye: Jiayuguan based DF4 westwards, Wuwei based DF4 eastwards. Between WuweiNan and Zhangye, all freight trains seen were double-headed, exclusively using green DF4Bs of Wuwei depot.
The most scenic section of line is between Yushi and Pingkouxia with spectacular mountains, dessert and numerous s-bends. The rest of the Zhangye-Wuwei line is rather uninteressting.
At Jinchang CNR yard, there were no signs of a possible steam operation on the branch line northwards, but two DF5 were present.
Locos seen:
| DF4 | 1837(Wu), 1843(Wu), 3187(Wu,1987), 3365, 3370(Wu), 3638(Jia), 3659(Wu), 3662(Wu), 3664, 3937(Wu), 3939(Wu), 3962, 6070, 6118(Wu), 6139(Wu), 9005(Wu), 9368(Wu) |
|---|---|
| DF5 | 1305(Wu), 1342(Wu) |
| DF7 | 5334 |
4) Luoyang Area, Mar 8th-9th 2005
Luoyang-Sanmenxia Xi
Passenger trains have SS7D or SS7E. Freight trains are a mixture of 6K and SS6 with a high portion of double-headed trains (>70%). A few Luoyang based SS3B(G) appear, too. Traffic is very dense - up to 5 or 6 trains per direction and hour.
Luoyang-Zhengzhou
All freight trains seen were SS4 hauled (Luoyang depot).
Locos seen:
| DF4 | 2391(Xi`an), 2459(Xi`an) |
|---|---|
| DF7 | 0078(Luo), 0212(Luo), 0256(Luo), 0257(Luo), 3104, 5618(Xi`an) |
| DF10D | 0049 (Mianchi Coal Railway) |
| 6K | 001, 004, 009, 011, 014, 016, 017, 019, 025, 031, 035, 036, 041, 043, 044, 045, 050, 053, 059, 063, 065, 067, 069, 071, 074, 075 (all Luoyang) |
| SS3BG | 6048(Luo) |
| SS4 | 0378, 0380(Luo), 0421(Luo), 0439(Luo), 0441(Luo), 6039(Luo) |
| SS6 | 0003, 0014, 0021, 0022, 0024, 0030, 0039, 0040, 0046, 0048, 0051, 0052 (all Luoyang) |
| SS7D | 0005(Xi`an), 0009(Xi`an), 0012(Xi`an), 0033(Xi`an), 0042(Xi`an), 0051(Xi`an), 0053 |
| SS7E | 0007, 7003(Xi`an) |
5) Pingdingshan/Baofeng Area, Mar 13th 2005
DF7 5413 was PDS station pilot, the PDS Dong to Baofeng passengers worked by orange DF4Bs. The double-track main line from Luoyang to Xiangfan is another domain of green DF4s on freight duties, usually single headed and all Luoyang based. Baofeng depot no longer exists as an independant depot. Passenger trains south of Baofeng had either Xiangtan based DF4D (fast trains) or orange Luoyang based DF4 (secondary trains).At Nanyang, the trackbed of the former ng railway is still visible, but all tracks dismantled.
Though landscape is generally flat, a very scenic section with hills and tunnels exists between Caodian and Nanzhao. Between Fengshuiling and Beizhaodian, the line passes along a water reservoir (east of the line) also providing nice spots in addition to the hills.
Locos seen:
| DF4 | 0407(Luo), 1626, 1658, 2457(Luo), 2458(Luo), 2460(Luo), 6288(Luo), 6292(Luo), 6295(Luo), 6300(Luo), 6304(Luo), 6328(Luo), 6330(Luo), 6391(Luo), 6497(Luo), 6498(Luo), 6500(Luo), 7510, 9022 |
|---|---|
| DF4D | 0402, 0533, 0536, 0537, 0538 (all Xiangtan) |
| DF7 | 5413(Xinyang) |
6) Wanyuan/Dazhou Area , Mar 14th 2005
The Ankang-Dazhou mainline offers SS7C on passenger trains and SS3B(G) double-units on freight duties. Freight traffic is not overly dense (about one train per direction in 2 hours only). The Wanyuan-Dazhou section offers:- Wanyuan-Maoba: line follows a narrow gorge, many tunnels + viaducts over the river. Photospots everywhere! Note, that the road is on the opposite (western) side of the valley for most of the time.
- Maoba-Dazhou: nice, hilly terrain, many tunnels and cuttings
- large viaduct 4 km north of Shiwangou
- scenic valley without road access north of Shanglong
Locos seen:
| DF4DF | 0351, 4076, 4081, 4169 (all Nanchong) |
|---|---|
| DF5 | 2026(Ch), 2027(Ch) |
| DF7 | 0190, 0276(An) |
| SS1 | 569(An) |
| SS3 | 4293(Ch), 5110(Ch), 5114 |
| SS3BG | 0057, 0069, 0078, 0079, 7001 (all Ankang) |
| SS7C | 0042(An), 0063(Ch), 0068(An), 0075(An), 0080(Ch) |
7) Chongqing/Ganshui Area , Mar 21 st - 22nd 2005
Chongqing-Ganshui: Freight trains + stopp.passenger with SS1, all single headed.Ganshui-Zunyi: Freight trains + stopp.passenger with Zunyi based SS3 (>80%) or Chongqing based SS1 (rest), usually single headed.
Express trains do not change loco at Ganshui. They are hauled by ChongqingNan based SS3 throughout.
Locos seen:
| DF5 | 1476(Ch) |
|---|---|
| SS1 | 482(Ch), 484(Ch), 494(seen at Neijiang), 0697(Ch) |
| SS3 | 0053(Zun), 0324(Zun), 0327(Zun), 0639(Zun), 4056, 4253(Ch.Nan), 5089, 8004(Ch.Nan) |
8) Shanghai/Nanjing Area , March 23rd - 27th 2005
Shanghai AreaPassenger trains to Nanjing are >90% Shanghai based DF11 with Nanjing based DF4DKs doing the rest. Freight trains are 100% Nanxiang based DF8B in the vicinity of Shanghai. West of Changzhou, a couple of Nanjing based ND5 fill in, too. Shunting at Shanghai passenger station is duty of each three brand new DF7G and "elderly" ND3. Trains to Hangzhou also are mostly DF11 hauled (both Shanghai and Hangzhou depot), but Hangzhou based DF4D and DF4DK haul about one third of passenger trains. Freight trains have green DF4s.
Nanjing Area
Nanjing`s two depots (Nanjing Xi, the former "pax depot" and Nanjing Dong freight depot) have merged. Both depot codes ("Ning" and "NingDong") can still be seen on the locos. There also seems to be a segragation regarding rapairs: at NanjingDong depot, only ND3, ND5 and DF7 were seen, whereas the "Xi" depot was full of DF5s and DF4Ds, though the latter ones partly had NingDong depot codes, too. Also seen at Xi depot was steamed JS 6210 from the Zhenjiang Limestone Railway, probably receiving some repairs.
Freight trains west- and southwards to Bengbu and Wuhu respectively are 100% ND5 or ND5+ND5 hauled. Passenger trains to Wuhu all had Nanjing based DF4Ds whereas the line to Bengbu offers two thirds DF11 (Shanghai based ones) plus Nanjing based DF4D, DF4DK and Bengbu based (orange) DF4B.
Locos seen:
| ND3 | 0005(Hu), 0029(Ning), 0032(Ning), 0041(Hu), 0069(Hu) |
|---|---|
| ND5 | 0002, 0009, 0017, 0022, 0025, 0029, 0073, 0075, 0084, 0085, 0091, 0105, 0134, 0144, 0196, 0199, 0200, 0208, 0212, 0216, 0218, 0235, 0249, 0266, 0270, 0274, 0277, 0278, 0279, 0283, 0284, 0291, 0296, 0312, 0314, 0317, 0320, 032, 0339, 0347, 0359, 0367, 0373, 0380, 0382, 0385 (all Nanjing) |
| DF4 | 2540(Bengbu) |
| DF4D | 0013(Ning), 0015(Ning), 0088, 0089(Ning), 0459(Ning), 0462(Hang), 0489(Hang), 0512(Hang), 0514(Ning) |
| DF4DK | 3037(Ning), 3041(Ning), 3055(Ning), 3056, 3058(Ning), 3078(Ning), 3141(Hang), 3148(Hang), 3197, 3218, 3205(Hang), 3255(Hang), 3266(Hang), 3284(Hang) |
| DF5 | 1625, 1627, 1717, 1718 (all Nanjing) |
| DF7C | 5006(Hu), 5010(Ning), 5030(Ning), 5370(Wuhu), 5598(Ning), 5599(Ning), 5600(Ning), 5633(Ning), 5634(Ning), 5636(Ning) |
| DF7G | 0030(Nanxiang), 0037(Hu), 0038Hu), 0039(Hu), 0056(Nanxiang), 0059(Nanxiang) |
| DF8B | 0003, 0011, 0012, 0016, 0034, 0038, 0039, 0041, 0042, 0058, 0059, 0060, 0061, 0069, 0070, 0072, 5022, 5031, 5057, 5062, 5074, 5077, 5079, 5083, 5120, 5121, 5125, 5126, 5129, 5132, 5278 (all Nanxiang) |
| DF11 | 0007, 0008(Hu), 0019(Hu), 0020(Hu), 0022(Hu), 0027, 0028(Hu), 0029(Hu), 0032(Hu), 0038(Hu), 0043(Hu), 0044(Hu), 0057(Hu), 0058(Hu), 0059, 0073(Hu), 0074(Hu), 0077(Hu), 0079(Hu), 0082(Hu), 0085(Hu), 0096, 0098(Hu), 0107(Hu), 0108(Hu), 0109(Hu), 0110(Hu), 0121(Hu), 0134(Hu), 0136(Hu), 0152(Hu), 0154(Hu), 0155(Hu), 0156(Hu), 0172(Hu), 0173(Hu), 0174(Hu), 0175(Hu), 0176(Hu), 0200, 0248(Hu), 0272(Hu), 0300(Hu), 0301(Hu), 0302(Hang), 0333(Hu), 0334(Hu), 0337(Hu), 0343(Hu), 0344(Hu), 0345(Hu), 0346(Hu), 0349(Hu), 0350(Hu), 0351(Hu), 0353(Hu), 0373(Hang), 0384(Hu), 0385(Hu), 0404(Hu), 0405(Hang), 0409, 0411(Hu),0412(Hu), 0413(Hu), 0417(Hu), 0433(Hu), 0435(Hu), 0437(Hu), 0438(Hu), 1898(Hu, "ZhouEnlai-Locomotive") |
| DF11G | 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004, 0027, 0053, 0054, 0057, 0058 (all Hu) |
| NZJ1 | 7001 (Hu) |
Part III: Industrial Railways
1) Shawan (Mojiang Coal Mine), Mar 15th 2005
Just as reported. Busy operation with 6 locos in use.Shawan is easily reached from Leshan by minibus (6Y, 75min). From Shawan / 沙湾 bus terminal, it is 3.2 km taxi ride to the ng railway on the other side of the river. Alternatively, you may also take a bus towards Taiping / 太平. Get off at the big factory complex about 1.5 km after the river bridge.
Locos seen:
| electric | 1,2,3,4,5,7 |
|---|
2) Qixiashan Limestone Railway, Mar 27th 2005
About 1 km north-east of the CNR station Qixiashan (Nanjing-Shanghai line, 20km east of Nanjing), a large cement factory is located. The limestone is mined at a quarry some 10 km further south. Between the factory and the mine, the limestone is transported by means of an electrified narrow gauge railway (900mm or 1000mm). The line crosses under the CNR line just east of the CNR station.Operation is on Monday to Friday only when the factory works as well. The railway has got a very modern appearance. The electric locos were all built at nearby Changzhou in 1995/96, but are of 3 different types. Before that date, "other" electrics were used.
The only diesel loco (GKD5B) works a passenger service (SSuX) between the factory (dep.07:30) and the mine (dep 17:00) consisting of three green, but derelict YZ coaches.
Locos seen:
| electric (Bo) | 03, 1 loco (unidentifyable) |
|---|---|
| electric (BoŽBoŽ) | 08,09 |
| electric (Bo+Bo) | 04 |
| GKD5B | 003 |
3) Longtan Limestone Railway, Mar 27th 2005
About 1km east of Longtan CNR (which is 28 km east of Nanjing) another cement factory exists. It also has got a narrow gauge limestone railway but is independant from the Qixiashan one. The line is 762mm, 13.5 km long and leads south-westwards probably to the same limestone quarries also served by the Qixiashan railway. The Longtan terminus is inside the cement factory security parameter but we could pass the gate without problem when we told what we were looking for. Just after leaving the cement factory, the line features a tunnel (appr. 300-400m long) in a steep gradient against empty (westbound) trains.
Motive power are two JMY380 diesel locos, which haul up to 12 pairs of trains along the line. Two rakes of wagons are in daily use (including weekends).
Conclusion
The trip was a quite pleasant one, mainly to areas mostly new to me. But probably it was our last tour with emphasis on "steam locations". Now, I can say to have seen most steam operations in China considered to be "major" ones. But except for Shibanxi, no location visited was such good to become a "must" for a revisit. My next tour(s) probably will be modern traction oriented with an occassional steam fill-in if appropriate. In my opinion, photographing SS1 or SS3 on a busy mainline in scenic landscape is a much better way to spend one`s time than to visit run-down industrial areas just to see the twice daily movements of some SYs there...Watch out for http://www.df4-country.de website! I may happen that it materialises soon!
Dresden, April 11th 2005
Florian Menius / Thorge Bockholt
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