Fifty kilometers of 1 in 50 gradients severely limited the speed of passenger trains on the climb to Wushaoling. The only level sections were through the stations and the drivers tended to keep the power on all the way through. As a result, trains would accelerate rapidly for a short distance before hitting the grade again. QJ 1360 and QJ 1279 had worked train 70 up to a good speed through Shagoutai when they were photographed on the last day of 1989. The start of the 1 in 50 is clearly visible between the second and third coaches. By the time the last coach had passed, most of additional speed had been lost again.