Steam in China - Nov 2003
by Ian Juden
Nanpiao Coal Railway
Nanpiao has reverted to 100% steam. The BJ class
diesel is under heavy repair, and there is possibly
one other diesel here totally dismantled. I visited
the shed at dusk and could not see clearly.
Details as previously reported. Here between 11/24 and
11/28. The Sanjiaxi branch is much more rural than
Banjita, with scenery similar to Jing Peng, but only 2
pass and 1 frt in daylight. Banjita line busier - 2
pass and up to 3 frt.
Fuxin - 11/29 & 11/30
Still going gangbusters. 17 different SYs seen in use
over two days, all clean and three ex-works. At repair
shop one being steamed, one completely stripped down
with boiler being rebuilt. Open pit has hit deep seam
of coal, therefore virtually no spoil trains working,
and reduced level of ops compared to my last visit in
2000. Wulong-Taiping-Gaode double track section seeing
a movement every ten mins between 07.30 and 11.30.
Afternoons quieter, a train every 20 to 30 mins.
Wangyang to Xinqui and Wulong to Xinqui passengers
unchanged, but much shorter rakes (7 & 3 cars
respectively). Mining has re-started in Xinqui area
and coal trains coming on to line to Wulong. I didn't
have time to investigate.
Mining now extends much further south than previously,
perhaps as much as 25km south of Qinhemen. Appear to
be new branches in this area. 5 SY seen at super pit
about 5km North of Qinhemen.
N.G. Electric system to NE of pit in Fuxin extended,
and 5 locos working. Passenger ceased, and most of
track to Gaode lifted.
N.G. Electric system just north of Qinhemen connecting
super pit to washery at Sanjin very busy - train every
5 mins.
Electric passengers around open pit in Fuxin not seen,
and assumed discontinued. Has been massive scrapping
of electrics since 2000. Superseded by more modern and
versatile power - SYs.
Weather abyssmal - smog - visibility less than 500m
most of both days.
Jing Peng - 12/1 & 12/1
Weather - Sunny with snow sprinklings on ground, but
very, very windy - may be as low as -35 ( your choice
degC or degF) incl wind chill factor.
5 each way in daylight. QJs mostly clean. Biggest problem is gricer congestion.
Flights from BJ to Liuzhou
There are daily flights dep 15.20 pm at about 1150
yuan (incl discounts) one way, flying time 3.5 hours.
I do not know return times, but presumably am ex
Liuzhou. Connects poorly with train schedule from Lzh
to JCJ, so overall only a few hours faster than K5/K6.
Looks like I'll have to make do with PDS for JS
action.
© 2003,
Ian Juden , email: iejiej@yahoo.com