Can't blame them for using coal. It's a coal mine after all - with the fuel all around them. A rare experience for a coal train enthusiast!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

It's an obvious, hard nosed, commercial decision to keep these locos working with endless supplies of free fuel available.

@Elfnetdesigns

4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesBond-zi2xq They do need regular oil and greasing

Isn't it amazing... where ever you are in the World train drivers always have the same pose.. relaxed but concentrating.. working their engine.. tea cans at the ready.. Superb video :-)

@crushed1126

7 жыл бұрын

Mark Alden yep a real look at how it really was

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment, Mark.

@greenlawnfarm5827

6 жыл бұрын

What would they do if they ran out of coal tho? Does the train stop working or does it have gas incase they run out?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

The locos never run out of coal .... they're working a coal mine ! If the mine runs out of coal, there's no need for the trains any more - so that would be the end of industrial working steam.

@greenlawnfarm5827

6 жыл бұрын

I forgot about that. But dont they have to clean it first? Like if you got oil and put it in your car then it wouldnt like it.

Actual Working Steam - can't beat it.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Absolutely - the real thing.

A true masterpiece of engineering. Steam engines will never stop being majestic.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

That's true - but this place in northern China is now the last place in the world where steam still does genuine hard industrial work. It's the very end of a 200 year history. Andy

Those sights and sounds will never, ever get old. Thanks for sharing this fantastic video. Awesome to see the crews up close.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

My pleasure - I'm glad you enjoyed !

This video is incredible. Thank you for sharing it!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Well thank you for the high praise !

What a very kind crew it must have been a day to remember this is my 6'th watch.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

They were a nice team. Somehow, with my little Chinese and their equally limited English, we managed two hours of entertaining "conversation" !

Thank you for posting, history in the making

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

It's my pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed. These are still operating in 2020 but are due to finish this year ..... the very end of 200 years of industrial steam power in the whole world. Please take a look at some of my other videos. You might enjoy them too! kzread.info/dron/XhrGvTyhQM4uYu1eKQgf6A.html?view_as=public ........ Andy

Nice dive in the past !! Locomotive and old excavator still at work! !!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

These scenes are still available right now - but not formuch longer. China is modernising fast and this will be history soon - even in the far west of the country like this location.

@kurtiskaskowski5386

6 жыл бұрын

That dragline shovel isn't really old at all...

Very cool great cab ride and overall fantastic video, thank you for sharing.. Greetings from New Jersey..

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind comment.

awesome train video

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. It was a good experience.

@CSXEMDTrainLover

7 жыл бұрын

Andy and Dandan Fisher your welcome and you should check out my new video's on my channel

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your very kind comment.

Great film. You can smell the loco!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment. Andy

Excellent Video , you lucky people having a cab ride ! , Like the night scene at the end also.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. These JS's working at Sandaoling are now just about the end of well over 150 years of steam as an industrial power source. Look out for videos coming soon of them blasting out of the mine with loaded trains ... fantastic !

@yipwh

7 жыл бұрын

I like the night scene, too. It's like a romantic movie coming to the end ! Yes, that's why we like steam locomotives, they are romantic !

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I agree totally !

@michaelnaisbitt1639

7 жыл бұрын

PIE FACE And diesel fumes from locomotives and trucks are SO CLEAN. DUH

@rancherodave

7 жыл бұрын

PIE FACE hugs trees

That is just incredible for 2016!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

And it's still available to experience right through 2017. These locos might just make it into 2018. Then real industrial steam is finished for good.

@AGSGuy

7 жыл бұрын

Andy and Dandan Fisher what about Narrow Gauge? From what I've seen it looks like steam will still be there as long as those lines are around

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

There's no narrow gauge steam left in China now. The only narrow gauge steam lines in the world are tourist lines and a few former industrial lines that will fire up a loco if you pay them.

Great steam train video plenty of steam smoke and sounds interesting video too. well done.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment !

@barryphillips7327

7 жыл бұрын

No problem, credit where credit is due, keep up the good work.

2:43 Some good wheelspin!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

These JS's really work hard - wheel spin all the time.

@hexxoid9263

7 жыл бұрын

Yea

Hard, hard work , thank you for video .

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

My pleasure. This is the very last breath of steam working in industry.

Thanks to the Chinese railways for continuing to use and make steam locomotives. I love you guys and started to model my layout with y’all’s locomotives

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

2 жыл бұрын

Sad news has come from China just this week. This system at Sandaoling - the very last industrial steam operation in the world - is to close next month (October 2021). Of course, at the present time, with covid, no-one can visit the site so industrial steam will quietly disappear from the world in a whimper! ...... Andy

It's very happy to see these old giant beast still functioning properly. The steam comes out from the engine makes it alive to me. I still remember when I first saw its kind first time when I'm a child. Almost like a dragon to me. It's amazing.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

These last few steam locomotives at Sandaoling are still operating in 2020 but are due to finish this year. This is now the very last regular industrial steam working in the world and is the end of a 200 year history ..... Andy

I just cant stop watching this.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

Good!! Please keep watching it! Or better still - visit there yourself. You still have a year or two. Andy

A great video. Thanks to yourself and your Chinese crew (not that they will see this).

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment. The crew were pleased to be videoed at the time !

I loved your video, magnificent steam train! Love the industrial life, sound of steam trains and the smell of burning coal, beautiful!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

Crikey - I didn't realise you could smell the smoke from my video !! Thanks for your comment.

@chrisfu6771

6 жыл бұрын

Andy and Dandan Fisher Great Video accomplish from China

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

Xia xia.

dear gentlemen, nice video! It looks like the engineer is employing an injector from time to time to get the water level back up in the boiler

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I bow to your superior knowledge !

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

@Dr Moriarty That's exactly what it is. Andy

Great video 👍🏻

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

Cheers .... Andy

Very nice video. I love to see steam still at work even if it´s in China. A pretty nifty ride in the cab of a working steam engine. Some people have all the luck! Rusty in eastern Tennessee

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks again for your comment Rusty. It's really not difficult to make a visit there to see them for yourself.

@w.rustylane5650

7 жыл бұрын

It would be for me. I recently had a stroke and left my right side paralyzed. I am also partially retired on somewhat of a fixed income. Thank you for your prompt reply; I´ll just have to be content with watching all your great videos. Rusty in eastern Tennessee :-)

love the sound of jointed rail...

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

.... and the clanking of the rods!! Andy

What a life time experience!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

I've ridden on the footplate of many steam locos over the years but I did find this ride at Sandaoling to be amongst the most enjoyable. Andy

Not only is the train technology old but excavator is also old. I haven't seen a cable pulley excavator before till date. Usually they are hydraulic control. This one run on cable pulley. Amazing!.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

2 жыл бұрын

If it's still working well, why change it? .... Andy

mooddy and magnificent....AND a good cab layout...

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

These are mean working machines ... meant to do their job !

@stephensmith799

7 жыл бұрын

I like to think that Richard Trevithick would have loved JS.s for exactly the reason you give... a machine for hauling coal just like his Penydaren loco back in 1804 (I think was the date)

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I bow to your superior knowledge !

@stephensmith799

7 жыл бұрын

Eeek! I would be freaked if someone bowed to me!

It also looks like the fireman took advantage of some quiet time to " dress the corners" of the firebox.

Dear gentlemen, Re: injector comments, the engineer has a rod with a valve handle at the top near his leg. That's the water side to injector. He has a red lever by his hip. That's the steam side of the injector. Water open first & close last.

@stephensmith799

7 жыл бұрын

I like the gurgle and vibrations as an injector picks up. It is mightly reassuring! (They are genius devices huh?!)

A fine and awesome beast indeed!!!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I agree. Thanks for your comment Steve.

I like the teapots over the firebox door!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

It all adds to the character of the scene. They were a nice friendly crew.

I can't believe anyone is still using a steam driven Locomotive! Great I remember those sounds from my childhood of the wet rail as the Locomotive looses traction. Love the two Tea Kettles by the boiler door. As Archie Bunker used to say, "those were the days"!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

This operation in China's far north west, is now the very last regular industrial use of steam in the world. It's now in its last few months of operation (expected to close in September 2020) and then steam will be dead except as a tourist novelty ...... Andy

Very cool!!

Great crew the fireman didn't seem to be real busy.

The js class are among my favorites of the Chinese steam locomotives. Knowing that it was 2016 when this was filmed, makes me think that they may as well be the last steam locomotives ever working in China.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

These few JS's at Sandaoling are still working (2018/2019) but are now the last steam locomotives genuinely putting in a hard day's work in industry anywhere in the WORLD - not just China. There are plenty around the world which can be fired up for money and one or two that do a little bit of shunting but these represent the end of a 200 year history of steam in industry. Andy

@truthful3777

2 жыл бұрын

I also like the look of it... reminiscent of the early 1900 design where funnel and the dome on top of the boiler. Compare to the British, which I also like...they use smoke deflector and not funnel. I know due to their height limitation of tunnels they have to go through. With funnel, the driver vision is not obscured by the smoke.

I thought it was an auger feed, then he starts shoveling. . . Certainly not an easy life. Coal dust, coal smoke, ear damaging noise levels. . . When the steamers are shut down, do these guys still have jobs? I would have loved to have ridden that cab with you. Unforgettable! About 20 years ago I got to ride in the cab of a 1928 Shay on the Georgetown Loop RR, 30 or so miles from Denver, Colorado. It was one of the best experiences! Oil fired, night run. I can close my eyes and still feel and smell that loco. Funny what will stay with you

Awesome power. It's primal.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

These JS class locos are a working piece of history. They're in their last few months right now (Jan 2018) but can still be seen at just this one location. If you want to see them, find the website of FarRail Tours.

Very very very excellent

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! ...... Andy

Now there's direct serving

Love those tea pots.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

Well, when you're driving a mobile kettle I suppose it's logical to have tea!!! ...... Andy

Amazing footage! If I'm not mistaken, steam engines are still in use on local railways in China? It's so kind of the crew that the let you film their work and work of their loco from the inside, you've managed to capture wonderful and mesmerising pictures. Best regards from Poland! ;)

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. The loco crew were very friendly. We struggled but managed to chat for 2 hours! There are just a few steam locos still around China - just in ones or twos and just for occasional shunting. This is now the only location where they're still to be seen working hard.

@TRSPomerania

7 жыл бұрын

Andy and Dandan Fisher Thanks for your explanation, still very glad you've managed to shoot it. Cheers! ;)

@itsjustnopinionok

7 жыл бұрын

TRSPomerania i think they are almost out of service. i read somewhere that in a couple yrs from now. the chinese goven will not employ steam on the rails.

@steamtrainfan9542

4 жыл бұрын

@@itsjustnopinionok the Shandaoling steam locomotives will be retired this year when the Shandaoling ceases operation. They might all get scrapped, but hopefully at least one or two get preserved. I'd love to see one operate, but I can't go all the way to China just to see it. Hopefully one makes it to America where I can see it operating.

@SkyScourgeGod

2 жыл бұрын

2022 update. As of two days ago from the time of this message, China has closed down its last remaining steam railways. I think the last steam locos that rode the lines will be kept for shunting purposes, but don't quote me on that.

Beautiful Beast

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

They're fine machines, even though poorly maintained. Still working ( just) in January 2018.

great vid, nice edit and sound but man, they tearing up the earth along with everybody else p.s. great blow down near the end and the shot approaching at last light

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I know that the steam locos are not good for our Earth but these are the last remnants of the steam age. The pollution from them is really tiny compared to your car and the millions it shares the roads with !

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

PS. Thank you for your kind comment.

Great moment! JS class always acitive in Sandaoling in 2017? thanks to post your steam travels, last steam working in the world

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

There's a tiny bit still active in Zimbabwe too. I'm just starting to post my latest videos from there ... see the first one at kzread.info/dash/bejne/a46Mj7GtXdHPoZs.html

The explosion @ 01:43 was interesting; a 'whump' and the blast wave shakes everything.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

You're right. I can't say that I'd noticed it before. Thanks.

Another fascinating video. Question: what is the lever and valve to right of driver's seat? Best guess I could come up with is something to do with the sander.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I'm not exactly certain what all the controls are. Steve, a good friend of mine on the following link will tell you. He's driven these locos on several occasions - kzread.info

+Steven Smith - Absolutely! Also used.them in stationary service to put H2O treatment in the boiler.Hated it when they would "break" suction & shoot steam out the overflow !!

the best train video without one of ..

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

That sounds like high praise. Thank you!

Bardzo ciekawy , dziękuje

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

That's my pleasure. Thank you for your comment.

Fantastic 👍👍

謝謝無私的分享,珍貴的影像,謝謝.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

這是我的榮幸。我很高興您喜歡我的視頻。 ....... Andy

So rare to seem steam locos under a heavy load these days.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

Apart from the occasional charter train, these JS 2-8-2's are the very last locos still working hard in industry anywhere in the world (Oct 2018). They mark the end of 200 years of steam history. Andy

Excellent! Pure steampunk.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Agreed ! Thanks for your comment.

FANTASTIC VIDEO (SECUNDERABAD TELANGANA INDIA)

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment. I have some nice video shot in India a few years ago which I shall be uploading soon. Watch this space !!

I am wondering about the cab controls: Obviously the regulator is the hanging lever. I am not sure if the floor lever is for the reverser, rather than there being a hand wheel and screw to manipulate cut-off. At first I thought it was the main tender water valve as the driver would throw the lever and turn the valve just in front that I took to be the steam supply to the injector.

@kleetus92

7 жыл бұрын

Sorta right... the lever opens the steam, the rotary valve controls the water. Throttle hangs from the ceiling, and the main and independent brakes are at his knee. i did not see the johnson bar though. I know it's in there, but too dark to see!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment. kleetus92 seems to know what he's talking about !

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for helping out here!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I've just read the article about the line in the recent magazine "Australian Railway Enthusiast". What a shame nothing was saved.

Sensible arrangement of firedoor treadle. Useful engines presumably descended from the USRA Light Mikado.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

This design certainly descended from US designs but probably via a Russian design, previously copied from an earlier US design.

*_GOOD._*

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Are they running those boilers at maximum pressure? The pressure relief blow off valve is almost constantly going.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

There's a very steep incline to get out of the mine. I think the drivers make sure that the pressure is full before they start on the climb.

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Too bad they don't have real whistles.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that comment. All Chinese steam locos are/were fitted with both air horns and a steam chime whistle. Sadly they don't use the whistle very often at Sandaoling. Take a look at this to hear them being used alternatively - kzread.info/dash/bejne/qoR-2pRteKe1h5M.html Andy

very good 🌻🌷🌹🌼🌾🍀

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you !

The advantage of a steam loco on this track is obvious - steam locos can go in reverse the same speed as they can go forward.. From what Iv heard its kind of a mastery to convince the loco to get going in the direction you want it:d

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

The real advantage here is that the fuel is "free". They just take it out of the ground.

Love the kettle perched above the firebox doors. Just manual stoking? Also interested to now how the tipping wagon doors operate - compressed air?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing you're from the USA if you're surprised by manual stoking !! The kettle was an important piece of equipment on many steam locos around the world. And, yes, the tippers are worked by compressed air, as far as I know. The trains are air braked too.

@routeman680

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for reply. I'm a Brit. I wondered about manual firing because those locos are worked very hard when the wagons are laden. But I see from your video that the fireman gets a bit of a rest on the return empty trip. Of course the kettle matters! What about eggs and bacon fried on the shovel? Did you find the specification of these locos, eg grate area, boiler pressure, coupled wheel diameter?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

You can get all these facts and figures from Wikipedia. Just look up JS Class steam loco. I apologise for accusing you of being from "over there" !!

That classic cable shovel excavator!!! It’s like a steam shovel

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

Жыл бұрын

Surprisingly it was electrically powered. You can see the cable running across the ground to the back of the machine .... Andy

@rainbowrailroadcrossing7798

Жыл бұрын

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam wow! That’s incredible! I never knew they existed

what do you think about putting this video through youtube's stabilizer?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Once the videos are edited and titled it's no longer possible to stabilise them because the titles are moved around. I've tried it and decided it's better to leave them as they were videoed.

Did not see the huge plume of flying sparks at dusk like other videos on Sandaoling JS class. Maybe they put on the spark arrester from time to time?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

3 жыл бұрын

Take a look at the video below recorded in 2018. They put on the "special show" if you pay them a little! kzread.info/dash/bejne/hHV5mbyOd8WtZ8Y.html ...... Andy

That looks like its riding in the sky

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

3 жыл бұрын

I hope that means you enjoyed the video !! ...... Andy

Did they use turbocharger or would something like this make sense for a Steam locomotive or did they have airinlet when the locomotive drive to make the flames hotter similar what blacksmith do?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

3 жыл бұрын

In all steam locomotives the steam being ejected from the cylinders is pushed through the smokebox and this draws the fire (like the blacksmiths). That's what creates the puffing sound ...... Andy

That's one loud Air pump on that locomotive.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

I was quite close to it ! ...... Andy

Sick beat drops at 0:13

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

That's the steam powered air pump maintaining air pressure in the brake system - you probably knew that !

MUITO SHOW

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

Obrigado pelo seu comentário ...... Andy

I wonder how the A/C works on those. Perhaps a bucket of water on a string? Still the most efficient and low cost way to moving these cars!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

I think at minus 20c outside, air con is not really a necessity!! ...... Andy

@oBseSsIoNPC

4 жыл бұрын

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam hehe no kidding.

So are they going to cut the locos up after they're done or?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

They will for sure. For the time being they probably have another year of life.

Is that realease of hp steam at 10:57 what is known as blowing down the boiler to remove accumulated sludge?Fantastic video! Could you do an animated video about how the coal is extracted and raised to what was the original ground level please? And possible how the coal is processed and then loaded onto mainline vehicles. Many thanks.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment. I'm afraid you'll have to make do with the videos that I've got ! Sandaoling is on the opposite side of the world from me and it's officially a restricted area of China ! Access to some of the mine areas is very difficult. I have some video of the loading area still to come in the next few days.

@hassanburrows8535

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your reply. Season's Greetings wherever you are, and keep the videos coming please.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I'm in Doncaster, UK .... and thank you - same to you !

i have no doubt these guys could name every single part to these steam locos and assemble those trains blindfolded if their lives depended on it. im sure their will be plenty of grown men crying when the last one rolls down the tracks.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

For sure - me included !

Wait isn't the driver supposed to be on the other side?? it sure is werd to see that. I never new China's and probably Europes stream locos Like this. Great vid☺️love that this Tec is still being used

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

These JS's drive on the left - so the driver's on the left. They're like cars - it depends on the local rules.

@bobwhite3777

7 жыл бұрын

Andy and Dandan Fisher cool thanks for replying

I find it intresting that chinese locomotives have the engineer's post on the left side of the cab while the US and most of Europe(can't really say for the rest of Asia or even Russia) have it on the right side.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

They follow British practice. Trains usually travel on the left and they use (or used to use) British style semaphore signals. The loading gauge is US/European though - not British (which is tiny) - and loco styles are similar to US designs, mainly because they're copies of Russian designs which are, in turn, copies of US designs. Andy

Fascinating! Still using steam engines for real work. Might as well with all that coal laying around. Very cool.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

This operation is STILL working but it's due to be shut down in September 2020. It's now the very last regular industrial steam operation in the world - the end of 200 years of history ...... Andy

That is a lot of coal being stock piled. Is for one user? (power station /steel mill) ? or is sold on the market?

@akltom

7 жыл бұрын

Mercmad it's a coal mine.

@Mercmad

7 жыл бұрын

I meant where they unload it, that's a storage dump, not the mine itself.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Most goes to the local power station but some is shipped out to other parts of China.

Hi, I'd like to go there and check it out - do you have contact details of any hotels to stay at there? Can't find anything..

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

There are a few hotels in the town but I don't have direct contact details. We have a trip going there in November/December coming up. We still have places but you'll have to be very quick now. Take a look at the "Tour Calendar" - www.farrail.com/ Andy

Wish I could do that. Sadly the mines are closing down this year. I don't know what'll happen to their steam locomotives. Hopefully one or two will get preserved, but I doubt it, since they pretty much scrapped all of their steam locomotives except for some QJs.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

There are a handful kept for tourist work around China. However, I suspect that, at best, there'll just be one put on a plinth at Sandaoling (if that) ..... Andy

@steamtrainfan9542

4 жыл бұрын

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam I heard there was an JS operating as New Haven 3025. Hopefully they keep one in the Shandaoling style. The overhead headlights kind of have a Pennsylvania railroad vibe.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

@@steamtrainfan9542 I'll take your word for it regarding the PRR. I'm only aware of one JS in the USA on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad ...... Andy

I just noticed the cabs have wing mirrors!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

You've already looked at this video Stephen ! Yes, you're right. There are small mirrors fitted. I suspect they're an unofficial fitting put there by the crews.

Couldn't tell if that was a. 5 or 6 speed shifter he was operating! !😄😄😄😄

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

No gearbox on a steam loco .... but I think you knew that already !!! Cheers, Andy

What's that lever next to the driver's chair?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

Жыл бұрын

I'm not absolutely certain. Could it be a mechanism for shifting slag from the bottom of the fire? They're running on poor quality coal and need to do this often ..... Andy

Hope I could be there someday.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Where are you based? There are trips by steam fans going there all the time.

@QingxiangJia

7 жыл бұрын

I lived in China, southwestern areas. Once in elementary school road a Qianjin (QJ) steam train. It was very similar to this one. Not working in a coal mine though, I think it was used as a switcher. Still, Xinjiang is quite far from where I used to live, but it's possible to travel there :)

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

I take it from your "I lived" that you no longer live in China. You'll have to visit Sandaoling very soon to see the steam. It's expected to finish there in the next few weeks or months. BTW a QJ is unlikely to have been shunting (UK) or switching (USA) - more likely to have been on a freight working.

@QingxiangJia

7 жыл бұрын

I see. Thanks for the notice. I will go back to China next week, let's see if I can make it. I wasn't sure if I should use "live" or "lived". I am just in US for school, might not be permanent. Well, I guess you are right about the QJ not being used as shunter/switcher, but that was a very special time, where DF4B and old DF3/1 are taking the roles the QJs. The ride I had was from the yard to a nearby grain terminal.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

When you get back to China you need to fly or take the train to Hami. From there it's about 90 minutes bus ride/taxi ride to Sandaoling.

Can anyone see the large face on the hillside at 10:14? It appears from behind the side of the loco and moves from left to right. The illusion ends about 10:18

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Sorry Mark - I don't see it !

@MarkSeconi

7 жыл бұрын

Maybe its just in my minds' eye. Thankyou for your video. I value being able to see the worlds railways in YT videos such as yours

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Well - it really is my pleasure !

Wow

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

I guess you enjoyed the video! ..... Andy

I wonder how long a steam engine can remain waiting (e.g. when waiting for a load) until running out of water and/or coal? Unlike a diesel engine, you don't just switch off a steam engine when the train must wait.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

A steam loco will use very little water or coal when it's just sitting idling. These locomotives have very large tenders which hold large quantities of both coal and water. They complete their day's work and still have almost full tenders. They're designed to be able to haul heavy loads over much larger distances than they're working here at Sandaoling.

@clintmeyer2112

7 жыл бұрын

This is Truly Magnificent! Steam Engine in any kind of fair condition can hold steam for hours with no fire. The coal which I have little piratical knowledge would retain heat longer than oil burner. We use to let the 700 get down to 80lbs before putting a fire back in here. As long as you have say 20lbs of steam to run the blower should be able to get her hot again. They sure beat a diesel. At idle one day used only 50 gallons of oil/bunker C. Did this girl have a feed pump or just 2 injectors? I assume the fireman had a injector on his side too. The Chinese should have copied the Sellers injector and would have only the lever. Nathan got with the program later. Great sounding engine. Thanks Again Clint

@Rosie6857

7 жыл бұрын

Compared with British locos these machines have the advantage of a pump to maintain air pressure for the brakes whereas British engines use the vacuum brake and the vacuum is maintained by a continuously running steam ejector. If the boiler pressure falls to about half the rated pressure the ejector cannot maintain the vacuum and the brakes come on, adding to the problem. I was fascinated by the regulator. I've never seen one with so much backlash but the driver seemed quite at home with it. On British locos the regulator handle pivots about an axis through the boiler. Horizontal is full open and down at about 45 degrees is shut. The coal was the worst stuff I've ever seen - just dust and slack. It would kill most British engines stone dead. A great video - thanks.

Great to see the Chinese are still using Steam:-)

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Yes. But not for much longer sadly.

@jimcoulter5877

4 жыл бұрын

I love the sound of them !

Great vid. A little cold maybe?????? :-)

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. It wasn't as cold as we were expecting ... only minus 4 in the day. But for someone from Alice, maybe?

The country has a large high-speed rail system and still operates revenue steam....wow

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

3 жыл бұрын

This operation in Xinjiang Province is now the very last industrial use of steam in the world. It's long past it's expected date of expiry. It's only kept alive because the Chinese government are starving this Uighur province of any investment in its desperate attempt to punish the Uighur population. Politically sad but it's keeping steam alive! ..... Andy

11:13 why was she blowing so much steam?

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

This is a process for clearing limescale out of the pipes to keep them flowing efficiently. Andy

The locomotives in China are true steampunks!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

Hi William. Thanks for your comment. I'm not really sure whether you're saying something good or bad about them !! Thanks anyway though ! Andy

@williamou417

5 жыл бұрын

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam I said they are like steampunks because they have such a great elements on their machines. Plus, I said good things about them!!

I know this is a late response, but did you ask the crew what their thoughts were on the demise of steam? That might not have been possible w/the language barrier I realize.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 жыл бұрын

I didn't ask this crew in 2016 but I've been back there again in December 2018 and was told that steam should continue until at least September 2020 and, possibly, 2022. The loco crews, of course, will want their jobs to go on as long as possible, I imagine. Andy

@b3j8

5 жыл бұрын

@@AndyDandanFisherSteam Ok thanks!

well it beats the hell out of having a fleet of very very expensive diesel powered CAT dumpers chewing away the profits.

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

6 жыл бұрын

And despite some very negative comments I've received about the environment, these JS's are probably slightly better for the environment than that fleet of CAT dumpers !

@3:16 might as well brew some tea. nice!

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

The kettles are an essential piece of a steam driver's equipment !! ........ Andy

I like such old locomotives - they have a soul 👍. But they are out of the question with ecology 😔

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

4 жыл бұрын

Steam locomotives are bad polluters, but most of what you can see in the smoke are the particulates which fall to the ground rapidly. The real damage is done by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. These are given out in just as large a quantity by road vehicles, aircraft, ships and power stations. There are only a tiny number of steam locos left working and they are beautiful and fascinating machines. They are a valuable relic from our industrial past and need to be saved from destruction. The pollution from these few steam locos is TINY compared to the pollution from the billions of road vehicles, aircraft and ships in the world. Getting rid of just a handful of steam locomotives will make no difference to the world but getting rid of the pollution from road vehicles would probably sort the problem in one move. If you’d like to save our Earth from disaster, please get rid of your car or motor bike, don’t buy anything that has been delivered by air, sea or lorry, switch off your electricity at home, never go on holiday by aircraft or car. Not easy, is it? Andy

1:05 the train drivers lunch

steam trains are so magical

@AndyDandanFisherSteam

5 ай бұрын

Sadly they've now all gone in China too - Andy