Steam locomotives were still in active service in China in the 1990s and that was reason enough for many steam enthusiasts to travel to China. In this two-part series steam was filmed in Chengde, the former summer capital of China, and Yesbaishou. In that last city QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotives were filmed. The QJ was a type of heavy freight steam locomotive introduced in 1956 by the railways of China. The majority of these locs came from the Datong Locomotive Factory. In total more than 4700 locomotives were built of this series. Enjoy watching this exclusive steam series from China! Credits: John Raby

Impressive Chinese steam in Chengde and Yebaishhou-cover.jpeg

Impressive Chinese steam in Chengde and Yebaishou

Steam in China - Part 1+2

Chengde is a former summer capital of China, but for the steam railway enthusiasts there was something much more interesting. There was a short branch line to a steel factory that was driven by steam locomotives. The line went up a steep bank and through two tunnels before descending to the steel factory&rsquo;s marshalling yard. The steep bank required up to three locomotives on trains to the steel factory. Normally one on the front and two on the back. The locomotives were a mix of industrial class SY 2-8-2 and ex-China Rail class JS 2-8-2. Normally it was a SY on the front and a combination of JS and SY, or two JS on the rear. A JS would occasionally be the lead locomotive. The line was impractical because a short train required three 2-8-2 locomotives. Around 2005 the bridge across the river from China Rail at the start of the branch was being dismantled, for such the branch clearly had to close. Credits: John Raby

Steam in Chengde

In the 1990s, before the Jitong Railway opened and before enthusiasts discovered the Jingpeng Pass, Yebaishou was a popular place to spot the QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotives. They operated on three lines from Yebaishou. The trains ran with a single steam locomotive, but sometimes also with two steam locomotives. The tenders were often driven together so that detours could be made quickly. The lines ran west to Chengde, north to Chifeng and east to Fuxin. All three railway lines are still in operation, although diesel trains took over the steam traction. Credits: John Raby

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Impressive Chinese steam in Chengde and Yebaishou

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