I'm amazed that they still use so much steam in China. I would have expected it to all be diesel. They're still a beautiful thing to behold - even now, when they are pretty much extinct everywhere else.
This really is the very last gasp of real steam in the world. There are a few steam locos around the world doing a bit of shunting here or there but these locos in Sandaoling still really working hard for their livings. However, the steam here only has a few weeks or months to go and then over 150 years of industrial history will be over ..... for good. It's a sad time.
The mine has a few more years left in it but the boiler certificates are due to run out this spring. It's still unclear what will happen at the moment. Changing to road transport is possible but would require a large investment in new trucks. Used diesels are possible but fuel is expensive. With steam they just dig the fuel out of the ground! Or the miracle might just happen - major overhauls for the steam fleet. We are awaiting a management decision right now.
Lamentablemente, esta operación ya ha terminado. Ya no hay locomotoras de vapor funcionando en China. Sadly, this operation has now ended. There are no longer any steam locomotives working in China. ..... Andy
Just brilliant, steam really working hard, great-looking tough engines. Thanks for putting this up. I wish these locos could go on indefinitely, but if they do retire it would be good to have one example brought to the UK NRM to be displayed as one of the last stalwarts.
It's looking as though they might carry on for a few more months. I suspect the local town management might try to keep them going because they bring overseas tourists to a far away part of China that would otherwise be nothing more than a desolate mining town. These are Class JS locos. We already have a Class JF at The National Railway Museum in York. This is an earlier version of the JS's.
I agree on the pollution. However, the half dozen remaining industrial steam locos in the world create a minuscule amount of pollutants compared to our cars and the planes that we go on holiday in. If you wish to preach on the subject, better get your government's policy changed ASAP !!
This is the first of a loco with the safeties lifted I have seen on this line. It looks like the fireman is trying to get the injector to start ( steam from cab side low down) the loco is still working hard and making steam. It could be that the pressure was still high and in attempt to reduce it they opened the blowdown to reduce the pressure. Blowing down is more often used when a loco is not working hard. (In UK it is often when close to or “On shed”) Once the safety’s closed the loco was still climbing and continued as if it was normal. This came across as a loco in trouble... but only for a short time. The driver could not stop as he would find it difficult to restart. Anyone know the gradient coming out the pit? Looking at the www the wagons are 30+ ton and a capacity of 60! So the load of 13 would be about 1200ton..... no wonder they work hard. Smoke is black when too much coal is put in at any one time..it’s not the most efficient at producing heat and therefore steam.. these locos use a lot of steam on the climb. Great work on the crews Even better camera work....jealous absolutely Amacf
Man, I really loved this video. It´s amazing to see steam engines work so hard. I guess they were operating all day long hence no black smoke at normal operating temperatures. I did notice them blowing the cocks out to get the water our of the steam chests. I could sit and watch this video over and over since I love to watch steam at work--I mean really at work. Just hope they can get the boiler certifications renewed for the future of steam at work. Rusty in eastern Tennessee
Thanks Rusty. I fear this will be their last year. They should just about make it to next spring but I guess that'll be it for steam hard at work. I suggest you get yourself out there and see them for real !!
Yeah, I wish I could travel abroad and see steam at work for myself. I´ll just have to be content with watching all your great videos. Thanks for your reply. Rusty in eastern Tennessee
At 10:42 the engineer lets a lot of steam escape from the side of the loco. I also notice there is a lot os steam escaping from the top of the boiler (very obvious at 12:35). These look to me like a useless waste of energy. Anyone can tell me why they do this?
You try travelling 5000 miles to the far north west of China near the border with Russia and Mongolia, and climbing down into an opencast coal mine and then filming moving steam trains at temperatures of 20 degrees below freezing. You think you can do better? Let's see your results please. Andy
If you take a look at Part 2 of this, I think it might be you driving the train that starts at 5:40 or the one climbing to the summit right at the end (which is 8081) or possibly both. They were filmed on 9/12.
Andy and Dandan Fisher im not really sure. It was JS8081 first working of the day. I was picked up from the workshop after some light maintenance. We picked up a loaded set from Dongbolizhan and then went to the washery drop off point where i met you. After that it was down at the loader and then back up again.
+48firefox I don't think British locos were made to work as hard as they could have done. I recall reading that German engineers visited a Western Region shed (maybe Didcot?) and were astonished at the light duties of the 9Fs. Their 9Fs went out on a short duty with an undemanding train, came back on a return duty the same day, and went back to shed to be put to bed until the next day's repeat! In about 1949 BR(ER) did a one-time test of the then new A2s and A1s on heavy freight, which they managed better than a V2. But their extra potential over the engines with smaller grates was never used.
How do they get the coal to burn so clean? I see no dark/black smoke when they pour on the coal. Just saw the NKP 765 in Chicago and at times we enjoyed the sight of heavy black smoke.
I think it's a matter of everything being up to maximum working temperature. These locos are working hard all day long and so the fire is at a very high temperature - the coal burns at full efficiency. On the tourist charters, the loco's never really working hard - also the crew are often not well experienced, so pile the coal into the fire faster than it needs, hence lowering the temperature still further, hence black smoke !
There's no access restriction except right down in the bottom of the mine where some days it was ok and some days not. We were checked out by the local police one day but there were no problems.
I don't know for certain but I'd guess that each side tipper has a capacity of around 50 tons and there are thirteen in each train consist - that makes 650 tons. The incline is really steep too. Andy
There are still (end of 2018) about 6 steam locos working here. We have a tour going there towards the end of November. Take a look at the "Tour Calendar" - www.farrail.com/ Andy
@@jillsmcfarland2001 These loco crews do a long shift - early morning to the evening. Take a look at a cab ride - th-cam.com/video/yl78nSAYD2w/w-d-xo.html Andy
fantastic you were allowed access to capture these sounds and sights for future generations.
your videos will be enjoyed by future generations.
I hope so. This visit was specifically for that purpose. These sights may only be available for about 3 more months.
Love the videos, some great steam action.
Thank you. I do my best - and I'll try to keep them coming !!
I'm amazed that they still use so much steam in China. I would have expected it to all be diesel. They're still a beautiful thing to behold - even now, when they are pretty much extinct everywhere else.
This really is the very last gasp of real steam in the world. There are a few steam locos around the world doing a bit of shunting here or there but these locos in Sandaoling still really working hard for their livings. However, the steam here only has a few weeks or months to go and then over 150 years of industrial history will be over ..... for good. It's a sad time.
Are they going diesel then? Or is this mine closing?
The mine has a few more years left in it but the boiler certificates are due to run out this spring. It's still unclear what will happen at the moment. Changing to road transport is possible but would require a large investment in new trucks. Used diesels are possible but fuel is expensive. With steam they just dig the fuel out of the ground! Or the miracle might just happen - major overhauls for the steam fleet. We are awaiting a management decision right now.
Import a couple more of these loccos to the US :-) Hopefully.
Let us know if you've heard anything about this yet! :D
Que manera de trabajar esos chinos con esas máquinas son un ejemplo para el mundo.
Lamentablemente, esta operación ya ha terminado. Ya no hay locomotoras de vapor funcionando en China.
Sadly, this operation has now ended. There are no longer any steam locomotives working in China.
..... Andy
Just brilliant, steam really working hard, great-looking tough engines. Thanks for putting this up. I wish these locos could go on indefinitely, but if they do retire it would be good to have one example brought to the UK NRM to be displayed as one of the last stalwarts.
It's looking as though they might carry on for a few more months. I suspect the local town management might try to keep them going because they bring overseas tourists to a far away part of China that would otherwise be nothing more than a desolate mining town. These are Class JS locos. We already have a Class JF at The National Railway Museum in York. This is an earlier version of the JS's.
A snarling beast and yet a thing of mechanical beauty.
I agree entirely !! Andy
Another very interesting and excellent video of steam, well done yet again, I enjoyed it.
Thank you very much for your comment John.
Awesome. I’d be hoping to catch a JS on camera if I was railfanning in China, because the JS is my favourite Chinese Steam Locomotive.
Well Sandaoling is the only place you can do that now, I'm afraid. Andy
working steam still. damned impressive especially at night. pts on quite a show that you don't see here in the states.
And this show is still available to see - at least for a few more months. You have to see it within about 6 months - then it'll be gone forever !
Thank God we don't see that in the USA. We don't need any more pollution.
I agree on the pollution. However, the half dozen remaining industrial steam locos in the world create a minuscule amount of pollutants compared to our cars and the planes that we go on holiday in. If you wish to preach on the subject, better get your government's policy changed ASAP !!
Spectacular To see Working Steam Locomotives hard at work ,at least for now.
They're in their last few months. If you can, get there now to see them. See FarRailTours website !
keep up the good work. I really enjoy your vids about mining and steam locomotives
I'll do my best ! Sadly these sights will only be with us for a very short time now.
This is the first of a loco with the safeties lifted I have seen on this line. It looks like the fireman is trying to get the injector to start ( steam from cab side low down) the loco is still working hard and making steam. It could be that the pressure was still high and in attempt to reduce it they opened the blowdown to reduce the pressure. Blowing down is more often used when a loco is not working hard. (In UK it is often when close to or “On shed”)
Once the safety’s closed the loco was still climbing and continued as if it was normal. This came across as a loco in trouble... but only for a short time. The driver could not stop as he would find it difficult to restart.
Anyone know the gradient coming out the pit?
Looking at the www the wagons are 30+ ton and a capacity of 60! So the load of 13 would be about 1200ton..... no wonder they work hard.
Smoke is black when too much coal is put in at any one time..it’s not the most efficient at producing heat and therefore steam.. these locos use a lot of steam on the climb.
Great work on the crews
Even better camera work....jealous absolutely Amacf
Awesome shot 👌👌👌👌👌👍 ❤❤❤❤💗💗
Thanks for your comment Ammar. Andy
Just love steam loco's. Works of art
Oh how I agree with you ... and in their last few weeks/months of industrial operation now.
Man, I really loved this video. It´s amazing to see steam engines work so hard. I guess they were operating all day long hence no black smoke at normal operating temperatures. I did notice them blowing the cocks out to get the water our of the steam chests. I could sit and watch this video over and over since I love to watch steam at work--I mean really at work. Just hope they can get the boiler certifications renewed for the future of steam at work. Rusty in eastern Tennessee
Thanks Rusty. I fear this will be their last year. They should just about make it to next spring but I guess that'll be it for steam hard at work. I suggest you get yourself out there and see them for real !!
Yeah, I wish I could travel abroad and see steam at work for myself. I´ll just have to be content with watching all your great videos. Thanks for your reply. Rusty in eastern Tennessee
They are switching to diesel then? Or electric?
Juyst love the sounds of the locomotives
There really is nothing quite like the sound of a steam loco working hard !
At 10:42 the engineer lets a lot of steam escape from the side of the loco. I also notice there is a lot os steam escaping from the top of the boiler (very obvious at 12:35). These look to me like a useless waste of energy. Anyone can tell me why they do this?
Thanks a lot Daniel
Daniel's explanation is superb. I hope it answers your question.
yes it does
That could be them letting water into the boiler [they do have to pump water into the boiler after all]
Are the conductors ok ? Good for another run? Do they have a choice.probably fun compared to working underground.
They seem to enjoy their work Jill. I've sent you a link to a cab ride already. Andy
Your vids cheep knockoff,diapionted
@@jillsmcfarland2001 What exactly are you suggesting there? Andy
You try travelling 5000 miles to the far north west of China near the border with Russia and Mongolia, and climbing down into an opencast coal mine and then filming moving steam trains at temperatures of 20 degrees below freezing. You think you can do better? Let's see your results please. Andy
@@jillsmcfarland2001 Just taken a look at your video contributions to You Tube ........ zero!! Well done!
Great video!
Thanks Steve. Take a look at Part 2 - I think it might feature you driving 8081. I'll let you know.
If you take a look at Part 2 of this, I think it might be you driving the train that starts at 5:40 or the one climbing to the summit right at the end (which is 8081) or possibly both. They were filmed on 9/12.
Andy and Dandan Fisher im not really sure. It was JS8081 first working of the day. I was picked up from the workshop after some light maintenance. We picked up a loaded set from Dongbolizhan and then went to the washery drop off point where i met you. After that it was down at the loader and then back up again.
I can't help any more then Steve. I can send copies of these sequences if you want them.
Andy and Dandan Fisher All good Andy. I'll go through it all when i get home. Thanks ☺
@16:21 Nice wheel slip.
I wonder how the british 8F and 9F locos would stand up to this treatment, day in and out?
I don't think that BR would have let them continue in the condition these JS's work
+48firefox I don't think British locos were made to work as hard as they could have done. I recall reading that German engineers visited a Western Region shed (maybe Didcot?) and were astonished at the light duties of the 9Fs. Their 9Fs went out on a short duty with an undemanding train, came back on a return duty the same day, and went back to shed to be put to bed until the next day's repeat! In about 1949 BR(ER) did a one-time test of the then new A2s and A1s on heavy freight, which they managed better than a V2. But their extra potential over the engines with smaller grates was never used.
How do they get the coal to burn so clean? I see no dark/black smoke when they pour on the coal. Just saw the NKP 765 in Chicago and at times we enjoyed the sight of heavy black smoke.
I think it's a matter of everything being up to maximum working temperature. These locos are working hard all day long and so the fire is at a very high temperature - the coal burns at full efficiency. On the tourist charters, the loco's never really working hard - also the crew are often not well experienced, so pile the coal into the fire faster than it needs, hence lowering the temperature still further, hence black smoke !
Thanks for the info!
Was there any issue with access, or did you just hire a car and find spots to film from? Did you need any permission?
There's no access restriction except right down in the bottom of the mine where some days it was ok and some days not. We were checked out by the local police one day but there were no problems.
Excellent video, thanks! Any idea how heavy each train is?
I don't know for certain but I'd guess that each side tipper has a capacity of around 50 tons and there are thirteen in each train consist - that makes 650 tons. The incline is really steep too. Andy
what goes up must go down
Absolutely. Let's hope they keep doing both for a little longer !
Do you know, has the steam power been retired yet?
There are still (end of 2018) about 6 steam locos working here. We have a tour going there towards the end of November. Take a look at the "Tour Calendar" - www.farrail.com/ Andy
look like our YD class wagons of New Zealand
I'll have to take your word for that, Tony! ..... Andy
how to go sandaoling?
Get a visa for China, fly to Beijing, fly to Hami, get a bus or a taxi to Sandaoling - and then find the coal mine !!! Good luck - Andy
Не знал, что в Китае есть паровозы)😁😊🤩👍👍👍
Сейчас они самые последние, и им осталось работать всего несколько месяцев ....... Andy
th-cam.com/play/PLNKEdhmODMJwMYOtPl5p0NYnhxStAn8jN.html
All I can hear is "I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can..."
I know I can, I know I can, I know I can !!! Andy
@@AndyDandanFisherSteam Ha! You're right!
She's walking the dog.
No ! Train conductor every train,driving nuts!
This comment has me puzzled Jills. Not sure what your point is. Thanks anyway! Andy
Just thinking of what the conductors go thru ,
Need knew conductor every minute.
@@jillsmcfarland2001 These loco crews do a long shift - early morning to the evening. Take a look at a cab ride - th-cam.com/video/yl78nSAYD2w/w-d-xo.html Andy
at 09:13 a lokomotive explodes!
I'm not sure that's true ..... but if you're trying to get people to look at my videos .... thanks !!!
fireman working hard
Locos work hard and the crew work hard too !
Chesapeake & Ohio style locomotives