China's Last Steam Locomotive Shed - Sandaoling 2017 - Not As Cold As Last Time 

I hope the Chinese government realizes the historical significance of these locomotives along with the places used to build and maintain them and I hope they make this place a museum

the fact that they invested in this shop so heavily in the early 2000s extended the life of these trains another 30+ years. right now they are capable of making any part or repair needed

I saw a comment about these men being experienced fitters, and had a thought. that was true, and most steam railroaders in US have little more than 2nd hand knowledge about this stuff. My grandfather talked about working on logging railroads in the 30s and the little stuff he knew before he died was from real experience. now he is gone and all the others are too. but here in China we have REAL EXPERIENCE and KNOW-HOW that is priceless. I say forget about preserving the locos, preserve the know-how!

I noticed a big difference in this shop.....these men are actually doing some work!!

NOT a sweatshop. Very skilled fitters at work. I was just a bit worried by the welder/ brazer not wearing protective goggles.

No difference between english/American or european steam railway engineering, love it. Still trying to find a documentary where china in the datong area builds "one a day" this docu was like 35 years ago ❤❤

To those who saying there was no eye protection for welding, take a closer look at what they were holding in the left hand while welding. Hard hat and work boots have been widely used for at least four decades. Using fall protection is enforced more recently. One thing to complain about is not being required to wearing goggles while torching. As for the comment saying these workers seem to be eating decently...just open your eyes and take a look at outside world.

Nice video! Thank you, EFR.

Great film. Love these locos!

In England these lads would be called enthusiasts making sure that the old skills don't die out and passing on their knowledge here however it's the job and you have a trainee apprentice and you get paid for doing that job one to be proud of

Wow, thank you for uploading another amazing video. I wish I had opportunity to see that in person before it's all gone. I imagine you have to have some incredible contacts to get into some of the places you've filmed.

That old chineese lathe will be on par with a Dean Smith and Grace lathe im sure

Nice stuff Doug.

Fascinating!

There are very few places left on this planet where one can see these skills still being practiced.

всё хорошо! 6.00 заметил что токарные станки ухоженые чистые ,видимо после работы их обслуживают и протирают

Thanks for posting this, I was impressed by the guy @ 2:08 gas welding, with a cutting head on the torch!! Usually one used a special welding tip.

Gorgeus machines! Real mytological monsters! Happy to see them at work

Fall protection, helmets, and work boots. Oh, and they look like they are eating decently. Good job China on modernization. P.S. Eyepro is helpful.

Hard hats the only safety equipment lots of welding and torching no safety goggles great video!

Thanks for sharing! Very Nice video, its too bad the locos are soon to be gone.

2020 will be the sad day that these units won't run anymore and all these people will work for Apple making dumb phones. China is the last stronghold of skilled steam locomotive laborers and machinists. They deserve respect. But 8 units of that type would look marvelous in New Haven colors, just saying. Maybe it's time the Valley Railroad expanded their fleet.

what's happening to the old steamers are they being scraped or restored

I would love to work on one of those steam engines

Definitely not getting the Flying Scotsman treatment here. It’s all basic, rough and ready stuff with one objective and that is to keep things working. I’ll give them their due though, it works. They just get on with it and keep it running.

I wish I could visit China and see these things before there last year. Also will China still use them for lesser jobs or will it be completely Diesel and electrics...if it was my country I’d convert them to oil or synthetic fuel burners and keep them running on less heavy jobs like as back up engines or short line workers.....also does China have museums or no ?

Are they going to scrap them because I hope not, they should at least try and preserve one

I am willing to bet that those chinese men love and cling to their way of life just as we did here in Britain when we were gradually losing ours.you either love it or you leave.railwaymen the same everywhere.

Cutting and welding with no eye protection. So sad.

The once roaring beasts of the railway,have now been scilence by the torch. Never too see another day...

Does China still operate steam?

The dark arts being performed by skilled fitters

Just goes tot

100% steampunk!

🥇🥇🥇🥇

Hey man don't take it off it's such beautiful romantic creation of man it's out of India let it remain some where 👈👈👈👈

Only my

In Iowa, USA 2 steam locos were bought from China because they were the last place that build them :)

2:07 Oxy welding superheater elements with a cutting head, yep, we're in China! Interesting to see workplace safety starting to creep in with the hard hats and fall arrest harnesses though

Notice the lack of even simple protection for the workers? Yet when it;'s about computer savvy, they are excellent!