China steam finale - Jixi September 2011

This video shows steam locomotives at work at Dongchang mine, Beichang washery and the Xinghua tip at Jixi, Heilongjiang Provence, China. The action takes place at the washery and the tip, with coverage of the coal pickers too. There is a glimpse of an electric locomotive of the type that is planned to replace the steam engines some time. 黒龍江省鶏西市にある鶏西砿業集団鉄路運輸部の上游型（SY）。 爆煙です。 If you are used to steam on several lines at Jixi; no electrification poles spoiling the view; winter steam effects; and donkey carts, you may find this video disappointing! We were at Jixi from 8-10 September for two and a half days. At Chengzihe we recorded 7 SYs at work: 0951, 1058, 1351, 1369, 1437, 1544 and 1545. The Beichang washery and the two lines leading to it were free of electrification poles, although a stack of poles lay near the level crossing with the road that leads down to the church. No overhead wires were seen in place anywhere, but a number of poles had the fittings attached to support wires. The only diesel noted at Chengzihe was DF10D 0157, one of the two larger diesels which have worked at Hengshan for some years. The gathering of locomotives at Dongchang for the shift change remains. A water column remains at Nanchang, but the other servicing tracks there are now occupied by a repair building, seen in the video. Instead of coaling at Nanchang, locomotives travel to Beichang, often coupled in pairs. The short spoil line near Xinghua is also free of poles. The points controller there told our guide he expected diesels to take over from steam in about six months. Apologies for some wind noise on the tip - my external microphone broke on this trip and it is windy up there even in summer.