QJ STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ACTION IN THE DESERT OF WESTERN CHINA

The section of the rail line between Baotou and Lanzhou was operated by steam locomotives of the QJ 2-10-2 class in 1994. The section south of the town of Zhongwei on the Yellow River was of particular interest to railfans. The long 30 mile grade out of the river valley to high desert offered many opportunities for making video of steam working hard. Here are some scenes from October of that year.