Train 70, the Urumqi - Beijing express took almost exactly three days to cover the 3768 km from Urumqi to the capital in 1989. The fact that the same journey now takes less than two days is a clear indication of how far China's railways have advanced in the last 16 years. Progress has certainly benefitted passengers on the line but it has robbed us of the magnificent sight of two QJs slogging up the 1 in 50 with 16 coaches strung out behind them. QJ 1971 and QJ 1047 were in charge of train 70 as it climbed from Shagoutai to Tianzhu on 30 December 1989.