China - The Last Timetabled Steam Express in the World - JiTong 2003 

+Ken Bird The JiTong line was a marvellous experience. The greatest steam experience this side of 1968 !

There could have been. I don't know I'm afraid. We don't have them in the UK so I haven't seen any of the series. Sorry!

I think you're referring to Herron Rail Videos (Eccentric Crank Productions at the time) episode "Chinese Steam Locomotives" showcasing the QJs in action as well as the SY and JS classes working as well

Bobby Sikorski eh we do have one in China back in 2005 when they went outta service, it’s called 再见，蒸汽机车 （goodbye, steam locomotives)

Thanks for your comment, Doug. West Coast Railway in Australia refurbished a batch of steam locos which had originally been withdrawn from service in the 1970's and put them back into operation between 1993 and 2004, when the company ceased trading. It was a bit of a novelty and, although it attempted to be a genuine operating railway, it seems to me to be based on being a kind of "tourist" operation, even though operating a regular service. However, the service featured in my video here was a long distance (about 1000 km) service, purely for local fare paying passengers, on a "turn up and buy a ticket" basis. The locomotives used were not built until the late 1980's and their use on the JiTong line carried on until 8th December 2005, when they were replaced by DF4 class diesels. This service was definitely the last regular mainline timetabled steam passenger service in the world. As a point of interest, we regularly run steam specials in the UK, timetabled to run at 75mph (120kph) and the recently built Class A1 pacific 60163 "Tornado" was passed a few weeks ago to operate at 100mph (160kph). Services should start here in early 2018.

True, they only operated Steam hauled trains on Saturdays, there were two of them operating on the WCR , R 766 and R 711, both were oil fired and both have been heavily modified with Lempor double blast pipes and double smoke stacks among other mods, as well as being fitted with a Diesel control stand to allow single crew double heading with a Diesel loco if needed, in my opinion the double stacks ruined the appearance of an otherwise good looking Loco, as a point of interest the R Class were built in Scotland at North British Locomotive Works in the early 1950's. Check this link for more info. www.martynbane.co.uk/modernsteam/pg/westcoast/anatomy.htm

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam частенько смотрел английскую передачу по нац. географии . там три друга один на мотоцикле , другой на автомобиле , а третий на паровозе , в качестве кочегара, кто доберётся вперёд до точки , так там паровоз , как сейчас помню был зелёного цвета, на скорости 115 км/ч пробуксовку давал. Вот это сила!

@@user-zv9jm3km9l Интересно! ..... Andy

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam где-то в конце 50-х. в начале 60-х в СССР построили эксперементальный большой мощности огромный паровоз, так он плохо входил в повороты на стрелках , так он и не пошёл в серию и в эксплуатацию

It was my Chinese wife, who's a professional interpreter who gave me the wording I've used. They just have a few QJ's now which they keep in a working order. Andy

Andy and Dandan Fisher - Steam Around the World I don’t think any of it is STILL at service TODAY, but I think there SHOULD be a few that CAN start. Fun fact: some manufacturer ripped off bachmann’s QJ2-0001 and made their own version, BUT, as a CHILDREN’S TOY, it fits on HO tracks!!!

This service continued steam hauled for almost another two years, I believe. Andy

Those last few years of steam on the JiTong were a truly amazing experience --- and this is only 15 years ago. As an individual I am so grateful to have been able to witness these beautiful QJs. Plus, my life changed because I met my equally beautiful wife Dandan alongside the QJs!! Andy

Andy and Dandan Fisher like I said magical👍

All Chinese steam locos were fitted with air horns and steam whistles. The locos hauling this long distance express only ever used the air horns. I guess this was so they sounded more "modern" !! There's a nice example of both being used in the following sequence - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xPJx24HDOW0.html&list=PLNKEdhmODMJxrPIUeF0dORit48GaknECT Andy

The QJ's were built to haul heavy freight - the main purpose of the Jining to Tongliao line. This single express working was the only passenger service on the line and the QJ's were the only locomotive available at the time - so they had little choice, even though they're not ideal for passenger work !

Because of their power the loco makes a quick start with its train in this video, I think it matches the performance of a diesel or electric loco.

Sadly now gone and replaced by diesels though. They've kept a handful of the QJs in steamable condition though. Andy

Actually, the QJ has a maximum speed of only 80 km/h.

All Chinese steam locos were fitted with both steam whistles and air horns. I think in this case the crews were instructed just to use the horns so the locos sounded newer, because it was an express passenger working! The whistles actually sound fantastic. Take a look at - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xPJx24HDOW0.html to hear both whistle and horn. Andy

I've heard their air horn sounds before! Sounds more safety! Their air horns are the best, even better than the diesel horns!

Lauren Claire

They're fitted with both a steam whistle and an air horn. They used the horn when pulling passenger trains because it sounds more "modern"! ..... Andy

All Chinese steam locos are fitted with both a steam whistle and a diesel type horn. They seem to use them randomly !

Andy and Dandan Fisher thanks

You can hear a blast on the steam whistle right at the end, as the train is leaving the shot.

It does look a bit like smoke rising, Doug. But I think it was probably steam. These videos were taken at about minus 20 degrees centigrade (normal winter temperatures in Inner Mongolia) and the locos were fitted with steam injectors into the coal tender to stop the coal from freezing up. They also had steam powered "coal pushers" to move the coal forward for the fireman.

There are different words in English for the same thing !! For example - fillmoreavenueroundhouse.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/coal-pushers/

TGs Train Clips - As I understand it a Coal Pusher pushes the coal forward in the coal bunker so that it is more accessible by the fireman. A Stoker moves the coal from the coal bunker in to the firebox itself.

Thank you for that insight Train Guy ! (They're not common items in the UK as in other parts of the world). Andy

All Chinese steam locomotives in the latter years were fitted with both whistle and air horn. Take a look at my video below to hear them being used alternatively - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xPJx24HDOW0.html .... Andy

这些不是现代标准的快速火车，但这是17年前记录的。火车从济宁开往通辽，行程约1000公里，我认为这可以说是特快火车。 These are not express coaches by modern standards but this was recorded 17 years ago. The train ran from Jining to Tongliao - a journey of almost 1000km - I think that qualifies it as an express train. ..... Andy

Alright......yeah, it does make sense.

@@thomassu5546 这里的意思可能是说呢，列车停留的站点比较少，因此总体速度较快。

@@thomassu5546 我是猜测

@@thomassu5546 哦

TMR64 .

The translation is open to different interpretation. My Chinese wife translates the words into English slightly differently. I'm pleased you are enjoying my videos. I have many from China in different playlists. Please let me know if you like them ...... Andy

Andy and Dandan Fisher - Steam Around the World it’s NOT a model used for maintenance, “保养标兵” means that this locomotive’s maintenance is VERY good and won a contest or something.

@@rickd3777 - 是。我老婆是中国人，也帮我翻译。英语当中我们应该说“这是保存最好的机车”。 Yes. My Chinese wife also translated this for me. I think in English we would say, "Best kept locomotive" ...... Andy

Andy and Dandan Fisher - Steam Around the World yeah,thank you for translations!

They do sound odd until you get used to them. All Chinese steam locos (including the ones in this sequence) were fitted with air horns AND gorgeous chime whistles. Sadly, on this express passenger working, they tried to appear "modern" so only used the horns! Just listen to this clip - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xPJx24HDOW0.html Andy

可悲的是，它已經消失了

清雲

謝清雲 集通铁路所有前进型机车已于2005年退役（all QJs in Mongolia stopped working in 2005)

@@thomassu5546 7040也去了，烟板撤除了，走道增加装饰板

@@thomassu5546 去美国的机车有上游两台，建设一台，前进三台，前进好像不跑了，剩下的都活蹦乱跳的

China is just about dragging itself out of the 20th century ! Steam is still operating and people are still living in tiny houses with only one room and no toilet in the furthest parts of the country. See this video for an example of steam which is still working today (but not for much longer). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FZuPBHEMf_A.html