XinMi KuangWuJu, October 2003

It was built between 1991 and 1995. The line is some 40 km long and runs through a sometimes hilly area. The steepest gradient is 6 per thousand only. However, the QJs have to work hard with the loaded trains (chimney first).

The mine bureau owns 4 QJ, we saw QJ 2315 and 2440 in use. There are six pairs of freight trains daily, half/half daylight/night time. The loco shed is in Lijiazi. This place is difficult to find but a a landmark you can use the branch line of the CNR to the north. Just east of the overbridge of this branch you find a road to the south. This road leads you to the interlink station of the mine railway with the CNR. From there you have to use a unpaved way parallel to the line to the west. After two kilometres you'll reach Lijiazi.

More information about other spots of the tour will follow. Stop news:

• Shibanxi: closure date in December was withdrawn, new date probably October 2004
• Huangjinggou: closure date unknown, manager unfriendly
• Pengzhou: to hire a train is very easy there, three steam locos are still serviceable and used as spare
• Pingdingshan: busy as ever, now news about the expected diesels
• Handan stellworks: forget about this, it's boring, only two spots were permitted due to the last unauthorised visits of individual travellers and even groups!

Good luck on all your travels,

Bernd Seiler