Weathering steam engines and locomotives is something i’m going to try very soon. So finding good prototype images to see how steam engines look after heavy use is my first step. Though quite fast I realized that it was going to be hard to find good reference pictures when all the period images are in black & white. Therefore I found some more recent pictures of Chinese locomotives in full color to be more accurate for my weathering ambitions. Yes they still use steam locomotives to some extent today. Check it out:
Dahuichang Narrow Gauge
Dahuichang Narrow Gauge
Narrow gauge 0-8-0 No 31 restarts it`s train of logging empties at Liu Jia Tun with a train from Shanhetun. It had stopped here to pass a diesel railcar.
Fuxin is located in Liaoning Province and is accessible by train from either Shenyang (about 180km) or Jinzhou (120km). Fuxin Coal Mining steam railway which has 12/15 SY locos in use and also a steam passenger service as well.
Nanpiao is not in some remote part of China but a mere 35 – 40km from the city of Jinzhou, Liaoning.
Water servicing of westbound freight in late evening.
China Rail
The YJ design is based on pre-war PL2 class 2-6-2, itself derived from the JF6 2-8-2, the predecessor of the SY class mikado. A total of 202 YJ locos were produced between 1958 and 1961. The last YJ locomotive was used at the Baotou steel works and was retired from service in 2002.
At the end of the 90’s a few PL2’s were still operational at the Anshan steel works. Number 237 is seen here shunting. The last PL2 in service was thought to be Anshan steel works’ PL2 244 which was displaced by a diesel in February 2000.
Narrow gauge C-4 class 0-8-0 wheezes up Pinglin bank with a maximum load train on China’s last steam logger. Final abandonment was just six weeks away.
In a scene of Dickensian murk, the tiny MPD at Dahuichang housed these two ‘C2’ Class 0-8-0’s. In spite of their archaic appearance, these are relatively modern locomotives. Though Dahuichang sounds ever so romantic – it means Big Cement Factory!
Dahuichang Limestone Railway Steam 0-8-0
2 feet 6 inch gauge C2 0-8-0 No 03 waits for it`s train of limestone wagons to emerge from the tunnel at Dahuichang. They will be hauled on a cable to the loco. A couple of stray wagons litter the foreground.
The Weiyuan Coal Railway is only about three miles long, and runs to a truck reload. It exists on a day to day basis only because local village elders will not let the coal company drive coal trucks through narrow village streets and the village market. The railroad has two serviceable C2 0-8-0’s seemingly held together by asbestos paste!
China Rail
A Chinese class C2 narrow gauge (762mm) is at the Shibanxi station…obviously experiencing a few steam leaks.
Youtube also offers a lot of references.
About me
Hi my name is Andreas Grewin and I work as an Interactive Art Director in Stockholm, Sweden. This site represents one of my interest during my past time. With this site I really want to show the world and the people around me what a amazing and creative hobby this is.
My work sponsors this site with hosting and support. They are called Webbyrå Galax and can be visited on that link.
Hi my name is Andreas Grewin and I work as an Interactive Art Director in Stockholm, Sweden. This site represents one of my interest during my past time. With this site I really want to show the world and the people around me what a amazing and creative hobby this is.
