China steam finale - Yuanbaoshan, September 2011

This video shows steam trains serving the mine at Yuanbaoshan in NE China in August 2011. 内蒙古自治区元宝山煤砿鉄路の建設型蒸気機関車です。 ここの路線の建設型は、通常のタイプと違い、デフ（除煙板）が付いている The video starts on August 26 with passengers alighting at 6:05 from train K7362 at Yuanbaoshan station. We immediately headed to Xizhan where JS 8418 headed 6 carriages waiting for its 7:00 departure. We followed JS 8418 on its journey to the mine at Fengshuigou, capturing pictures of its departure, crossing the river bridge beyond Gongye and its arrival at Fengshuigou. At Fengshuigou, workers descend from the carriages onto the tracks well before the train has come to a halt! At the mine there was a string of wagons, the loading of which was almost complete. The movement of wagons under the loading hopper is controlled by capstan cable, shown on the video. The next day we found it was again JS 8418 on the 7:00 train but on this day running as a mixed train with 15 wagons behind the loco followed by 6 carriages. The video shows the departure from Xizhan from ground level rather and at the river bridge, working harder. At Fengshuigou the return train consisted of just the 6 carriages. At Xizhan after returning from Fengshuigou, the video shows JS 8418 being serviced. On August 28 it was JS 8418 again and as on our first visit just hauling 6 carriages. The video shows the train departing Xizhan with sunflowers in shot, and at the river bridge. Also shown is the level crossing and halt before Fengshuigou. Please note that some sound has been dubbed because of a fault with my external microphone. The SY Country web site has details of current steam in China.