While the fire has been dropped on most of the Chinese National Railway steam locomotives, you will still find hundreds of active steam locomotives on the numerous industrial lines. Steel, cement, coal are the main goods to transport. Exotic diesel and electric locomotives on narrow and standard gauge will not be forgotten on this journey!
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
06Sep: If you arrive at Beijing airport from the US/Canada, you will have a transfer to your 4**** Sino-Swiss-Hotel, situated close to the airport.
If you depart from Europe, you take a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt today.
Day 2:
07Sep: Meeting of all participants at the Sino-Swiss-Hotel, from there visit of the new railway museum in Beijing with an impressive collection of locomotives, including the famous Mao-Ze-Dong steam locomotive. Afternoon vist of the Beijing steel mill with its busy rail system (diesel).
Evening trian to Tangshan and overnight there.
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Day 3:
08Sep: The huge steel work complex of Tangshan is home to a large fleet of SY (2-8-2) locomotives where we visit the shed and chase the locomotives on the steel work's network.
In the afternoon we visit the local coal mine where you will get the opportunity to take pictures of the steam hauled workers trian - or you may even ride on it!
Evening train to Beijing and overnight in Beijing.
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Day 4:
09Sep: The Wangdu Local Railway operates a narrow gauged line South of Beijing with steam (class C2) and diesel engines, hauling stones and sand. Unfortunately this line is, like many others, highly endangered by road competition and non-profitable operation. Lots of wonderful spots (steep grades, cuttings, bridges and the atmosphere of a typical Chinese narrow gauge line) will give you plenty of photo/film opportunities.
Return to Beijing by bus and overnight journey in soft sleeper class to Baotou.
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Day 5:
10Sep: The large steel work in Baotou still uses SY and JS (2-8-2) steam locomotives for shunting, various diesel classes are present as well. Spectacular highlight: the easily accessible slag pits which are served by the steam locomotives only! Overnight in Baotou.
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Day 6:
11Sep: Before we board our night express train to Tianjin in the afternoon, we continue to chase the steel work's locomotives on its vast network.
Evening trian back to Beijing in softsleeper class (4-berths-compartments).
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Day 7:
12Sep: arrivial in Beijing around 10.20, optional visit of the "7th February" wagon workshop with a rare JF class (Japanese origin 2-8-2) shunting. Afternoon visit to the Dahuichang limestone railway (narrow gauge and steam operated). Overnight train in softsleeper to Shenyang.
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Day 8:
13Sep: Fushun is a typical town of the Chinese coal- and steel belt: quite dirty, lots of big and small mines, a steel work which can hardly survive. The biggest coal mine in town is served by JS, SY and electric locomotives while the local steel work operates with SY and diesel engines. Late afternoon transfer by bus to Tiefa and overnight there.
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Day 9:
14Sep: The local Coal Mining Corporation runs several mines around Tiefa which are linked by an extensive railway network. It sees SY steam locomotives pulling freight- and passenger trains. Overnight in Tiefa.
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Day 10:
15Sep: Beside the classic spots like winding towers and large dumps you can also find scenic country lines and even a tunnel on this network! Late afternoon return to Shenyang by bus. Overnight in Shenyang.
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Day 11:
16Sep: We continue our industrial tour and visit one of the biggest Chinese steel works in Anshan where you will find steam, diesel and electric locomotives in large numbers. Unbelievable working conditions, extremely busy rail traffic and lots of locomotives of all kind will make this a true experience! By bus back to Shenyang and overnight there.
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Day 12:
17Sep: Early morning departure to Fuxin where electric locomotives from Skoda, LEW and Japanese pre-war engines haul heavy coal trains out of the huge open-cast pit. SY steam locomotives are used for shunting and local passenger trains. Overnight in Fuxin.
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Day 13:
18Sep: We spend another day on the Fuxin Mining Corporation's network before we take the night train in hard sleeper class to Chifeng.
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Day 14:
19Sep: At Yuanbaoshan, close to Chifeng, some JS class locomotives spend their last days hauling freight- and passenger trains before 2nd hand diesels will put them on the scrap line. A very interesting 600 mm electrified railway can be found here, too! Overnight in Chifeng.
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Day 15:
20Sep: South of Chifeng, in Pinzhuang, we will find another line which intensively uses electrics plus some SY and JS. Evening departure with the night train to Beijing. Overnight in soft sleeper class.
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Day 16:
21Sep: After our morning arrival in Beijing we will have the chance to refresh in day rooms before we take our bus to the airport.
End of a wonderful trip!
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included are:
All accomodation/full board/guide/all transport/entru fees/permissions.
Not included: visa/departure airport tax at Beijing (90 Yuan)/tip/personal expenditure.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Railway Trips
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