Deep Coal Mines
429 photos
updated : 2022-11-24
Deep coal mines provided employment for more steam locomotives than any other industry in China and that continued until very recently. Many mine systems included lines running through attractive countryside and interesting industrial architecture. Diesels on mine systems have not been ignored.
Opencast Mines
336 photos
updated : 2022-12-03
Steam worked opencast mines are the most incredible places to see and photograph steam locomotives, whether looking down from the rim at a dozen locos scurrying back and forth or getting in close at the coal face. Zhalainuo'er (Jalainur) lasted until 2009 and Sandaoling hung on into 2022, just.
Forestry Railways
60 photos
updated : 2022-11-24
North-east China was once home to hundreds of miles of narrow gauge forestry railways but most disappeared in the 1990s, leaving only a handful to see in the 21st Century. The last true steam worked forestry lines finished in 2003, leaving Huanan, by then only hauling coal, to cling on until 2010.