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andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 10:59 pm: | |
Photographers Charter to the Jitong Railway utilising the China Orient Express Set as a rolling hotel. The purpose was to photograph the remaining QJ 2-10-2 steam locos still operating on the Jitong line. The itinerary also included a side trip to the Tiefa Coal Railway and either a visit to te Badaling Great Wall or Dahuichang Narrow Gauge Railway near Beijing. Mini buses were provided for transfers to and from the train and lineside photographic locations.
09/01/05 DF4 2534(dep 16:30)Beijing to Shenyang Bei (arr.01:30) via Tongxian – Fengrun – Funin – Qinhuangdao - Jinxi – Jinzhou – Goubangzi – Fangjia.
10/01/05 DF4 0304(dep 01:45)Shenyang Bei to Daqing CNR (1)(arr.07:30) via Yiquantun – Tieling – Zhenxipu.
(1) Train stabled in the station whilst passengers detrained for a charter train on the Tiefa Coal Railway.
10/01/05 DF4 0304(dep.18:42)Daqing CNR to Siping (arr.21:50) via Zhenxipu – Tieling [reverse] - Manjing
10/01/05 DF4 4028(dep.22:00)Siping to Tongliao (arr.01:50) via Shuanliao - Dahan.
11/01/05 DF4 0655(dep.02:10)Tongliao to Chabuga (arr. 04:35) via Zhelimu - Kailu
11/01/05 QJ 7049(dep.05:41)Chabuga to Daban(arr. 08:33)
11/01/05 QJ 6828(dep.11:28) Daban to Haoluku (arr.18:58) via Linxi (12:17 to 12:50) – Shangdian (14:00 to 16:41) – Jingpeng (17:18 to 17:48)
11/01/05 QJ 6828(dep.22:14) Haoluku to Daban (arr.02:26)
12/01/05 QJ 7049(dep.05.20) Daban to Chabuga (arr.10:00) via Lindong (06:47 to 08:40) – Yamenimao (08:56 to 09:12)
12/01/05 QJ 6978 (2)(dep.15:30)Chabuga to Daban(arr.21:10) via Lindong (16:31 to 19:31).
(2) Option to remain in Chabuga to catch the westbound Jitong passenger train departing Chabuga at 16.34 headed by QJ 6911 transferring back to the COE at Lindong.
12/01/05 QJ 6828(dep.22:38)Daban to Haoluku (arr.03:00).
13/01/05 QJ 7140(dep.03:20) Haoluku to Zhengxianbaiqi (arr.06:22)
13/01/05 QJ 7140(dep.10:00) Zhengxianbaiqi to Haoluku (arr.13:02)
13/01/05 QJ 6986 (3)(dep.13:17)Haoluku to Daban (arr.18:37) via Jingpeng (14:27 to 14:50) – Shangdian (15:28 to 16:08)
(3) Option to catch the westbound Jitong line passenger train from Daban headed by QJ 6751 to Jingpeng returning to Lindong on the eastbound train headed by QJ 7137 as far as Daban and then QJ 6911.
14/01/05 QJ 6891(dep.05:20)Daban to Chabuga (arr.10:00) via Lindong (06:47 to 08:40) – Yamenimao (08:56 to 09:12)
14/01/05 QJ 7146(dep.12:39) Chabuga to Daban(arr.15:39) via Lindong (13:40 to 14:00)
14/01/05 QJ 6639(dep.15:51) Daban to Haoluku(arr.19:41) via Jingpeng (18:20 to 18:31)
14/01/05 QJ 7114 (dep.20:00)Haoluku to Zhengxianbaiqi (arr.23:17).
14/01/05 DF4 9517(dep.23:50)Zhengxianbaiqi to Benhong (arr.03:20)
15/01/05 DF4 2634(dep.05:08) Benhong to Datong (arr.07:50) via Jining Nan (05:43 to 05:53)
15/01/05 DF4 1656(dep.08:00) Datong to Kangzhuang (arr.12:23) via Xuanhua – Tumu - Donghuayan
15/01/05 DF4 1656 (2) (dep.17:18)Kangzhuang to Qinglongqiao reversing Station (Old) via Badaling
(4) [DF4 5012 on rear]
15/01/05 DF4 5012 (3) Qinglongqiao Reversing Station (Old) – Eastern Track - Nankou
(5) [DF4 1656 on rear]
15/01/05 DF4 5012 Nankou to Beijing (arr. 20:19) via Changping – Gongli – Wangjing – Xidian – Beijing Dong. |
andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 01:04 am: | |
A super Spin and Win of more than 2328 kms of steam haulage (plus 207 kms on the Tiefa Coal Railway).
The train should have been hauled by thirteen different QJ steam locos during the stay on the Jitong line. Unfortunately, through no fault of the Organiser who had paid extra, this didn't materialise. However by taking advantage of the train timings three additional locos were added to the total by travelling on the service trains -the last steam hauled sleeper trains in the world. This also added 266 kms of extra mileage. These added to the two I had for haulage in October (not counting the two QJs and a diesel cabbed on freight trains over the pass ) wasn't too bad a haul (no pun intended).
Tour participants were also offered the chance to ride on the footplate of the QJs hauling the Orient Express. Though having previously enjoyed this privilege twice before on double headed freight trains I couldn't resist and eastbound up the Jingpeng Pass once again to the summit station of Shangdian was enjoyed in the cab of QJ 6986. This time I remembered to stop breathing when the train passed through the tunnels. The time before I didn't and nearly stopped for good.
Depot visits were arranged at Daban, Chabuga and Baiqi of which the most atmospheric was that at Baiqi (the present western limit of steam working on the Jitong). With a day time temperature not much above minus 20c in places the smoke effects from the steam engines and locos working hard was a pretty awesome sight for someone not old enough to have experienced the demise of steam on BR. As well as daytime visits to Daban a night photography session was arranged on the 13/01. This proved somewhat problematic as three coachloads of tourists turned up at the gates only to be barred access to the Depot. A standoff followed for some considerable time before the Depot Manager turned up by car to raise the drawbridge (Ok open the gate then ).
TV Film crews from China, UK and Germany were present to record the events as they unfolded. I hope they didn't film me falling over on a block of ice whilst walking around Baiqi shed with cameras flying off in all directions when I kissed the ground. I'm told the ITV film will be shown on TV sometime in the summer. I'm sure the Magazine that sponsored this jaunt will provide the details nearer the time. I hope they weren't too upset by my camera being held out of the QJ cab as 6986 climbed the Jingpeng. Still it should be fun to enjoy the rerun of the Siege of Daban.
All in all a great success though the freight traffic on the Jitong wasn't as cooperative for photography as might have been. On 12/01 an engineering possession on the Jitong meant very little was running over the line in daylight. Thus myself and a few others resorted to hiring a QJ to perform run pasts on the wye at Chabuga shed to keep us amused.
On the day earmarked for lineside photography of the Jingpeng the only train on the pass steam hauled was the charter train. Needless to say when the charter travelled to the western end of steam working at Baiqi steam hauled freights re-appeared.
I could have done without witnessing the open air abbattoir in a village passed through in the photobus. Good job there was no bacon for breakfast and I discovered that you couldn't hear the steam loco even in the front coach of the Jitong passenger train which I got thrown out of as it is reserved for off duty railway staff ( ex BR employees don't count apparently). Interestingly you can hear the thrash from the top bunk of the hard sleeper that is third coach from the engine. Ordering dinner on the passenger train was not without amusement costing some three times the price of the ticket to travel. Not surprisingly most travellers bring their own picnics (pot noodles using water from the boilers in each of the coaches being favourite). For our dinner a splendid beef and vegetable stir fry was ordered by luck rather than judgement with the menu written in Chinese. Pot noodles also appeared as eventually did the beer. The latter took some time to order as the waitress didn't understand the word. Imagine the laughter when the bottles eventually appeared with B E E R in large letters on the label.
The COE coaches are unusual(but not for China it seems)in that heating is provided by a coal fired boiler in each coach. The other useful attribute was that a section of window could be opened just enough to push a camera through and listen to the thrash. However with the low temperatures this wasn't taken advantage of too often. The booze and company in the bar car was more inviting most of the time-a more widely travelled companion keeping a group of us entertained with stories of gricing tracks of varying dubiety in Taiwan and Indonesia as the beer flowed.
Because of the limited facilities for washing afforded passengers on the train shower stops were arranged in towns along the route of the train. Unfortunaely the towns along the Jitong are some way away from the towns they purport to serve and so the showers ended up being rather hurried affairs not helped by the standards of plumbing. At one hotel the shower disintegrated into its component parts when water pressure was applied. the walls and ceilling got more wet than I did.
A Firework display took place at Baiqi on the last day before the tour headed back to Beijing by way of Datong (spot the Alco locos)and the old route through Badaling and the steep descent to Nankou reached by way of reversing sidings under the Great Wall.
This must have been awesome to witness in steam days from atop the Wall itself. These days the trains are either routed via the new electrified line to the west or top and tailed by diesels as was the COE itself.
After dinner in the hotel in Beijing it was decided by five intrepid souls to finish the evening sightseeing in Tiananman Square. Only trouble was we got out at the wrong station on the Metro and ended up five in a taxi built for three - one in the front seat, three in the back with one stretched across the three in the back. and once we got to Tiananmen Square we found it closed and guarded by Police or Soldiers. A bit like Trafalgar Square on New Years Eve I suppose.
Before flying back to Heathrow it was off to the Beijing Railway Museum next to the China National Rail Test Track. Sadly no rides and the heating in the museum was non existant. Coldest I'd been all week.
One last obstacle to avoid was the person at the Airport trying to dupe me into paying a non existant airport tax and then it was grit your teeth for the flight back to Heathrow in seating built for people less than 5ft tall - there must be some human rights violation in not providing adequate seating space in economy class.
Still at least the plane wasn't delayed for a couple of hours like the outward journey. Now I'm broke and won't be going anywhere till the Bank Manager gives the right away. Sadly, I suspect a trip like this will no longer be possible when the red ink disappears from my bank statements. |
andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 09:21 am: | |
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andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 06:30 pm: | |
Sorry couldn't resist the Chinese Special - Steamed Railfan with freeze dried fingers(stuck to camera).
Incidentally this tour was advertised by GW Travel as the Jingpeng China Orient Express No.5( sponsored by Steam Railway ).GW Travel claimed it to be the last daylight passenger train in steam over the Jingpeng Pass - the passenger train having been retimed to travel overnight a few years earlier(QJ 6986 was adorned with a banner proclaiming The End to commemorate this). Anyone got details of the previous four?
However, GW Travel are now advertising a 6th and final Jingpeng COE to be run in November ( isn't there a law concerning misleading advertisements -only joking as I'd like to go again ) as a German TV Company have stumped up the cash to safeguard the Steam infrastructure on the line until then - Did they miss the 5th run and get miffed and is this another steamy 5-1 for history to record? Good for them even if it will be a bit(more) staged by then.
Does this mean that Steam Railway Mag will have to recall their February editions not to mention all the video and film footage taken as the photographs of 6986 proclaiming The End will be erroneous if the November Tour runs? I'll accept a ticket and a lineside seat as compensation if they wish to settle out of court!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Alan Sheppard
Username: alsheppit
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 11:26 pm: | |
Andy,
You wrote ..
quote:Anyone got details of the previous four?
Well, I found this ..
www(dot)travelcentre(dot)com(dot)au/travel/russia/GW%20Steam%20Private/
jingpeng_feb04(dot)htm
Alan |
andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 07:15 pm: | |
Sorry - Just noticed your request. Apologies for not replying earlier.
The route and spelling appears to match my source documents ( Quail China Atlas / Intineraries / Web Pages etc. ) though there are the odd minor differences between authors and even within the same source. For some places I have attempted to indicate the full name rather than the commonly used abbreviations (Zhengxianbaiqi usually gets referred to as Baiqi for example). Some locations are referred to by the name used for the station rather than the Towns they serve. However, there is a slight doubt about the route taken by the train between Beijing and Shenyang ( it was dark, dinner was served, the bar car was in full swing and my GPS stopped functioning for a time before springing to life again beyond Shenyang Bei Station and there are no OS maps to which to refer). I have assumed that the train used the classic route shown on the Quail Atlas rather than the newer high speed line for which I don't yet have a map.I haven't indicated whether the train used a platform road on the Jitong at the various locations where trains pass on the single line or through sidings. At most locations platforms were only provided on one road. Passengers were allowed to detrain from the COE whether next to the platform or not.
In the Railtour File format you are using Note 3 would apply to arrival at Daban in the evening. I don't know whether you would want to add notes to explain the various activities at all the extended stops (On the Jitong most daylight stops and some nocturnal ones were for photographic purposes picking up and setting down passengers from the photo buses or vantage points or walking visits to one of the four steam depot / servicing points in use at the time of the Tour). Let me know if you want a comprehensive list.
I did make a note of the stock forming the train and should I stumble across my note book which has mysteriously vanished ( along with my Sale Sharks Rugby Shirt )I will post the numbers and vehicle types to this discussion.
The loco numbers were written down on more than one piece of documentation so are 99% correct.
Chinese Standard gauge loco numbering follows a National numbering system irrespective of the Railway on which they are operated. The number consists of the class designation (Chinese characters or sometimes western alphabet equivalent) followed by a running number (i.e. QJ7146 or DF40304). Here in lies the 1%. Not being familiar with Chinese diesel classes I could not verify by sight some of the sub classifications of DF4 that hauled the train (it's not always marked on the loco either). I am fairly confident of the following (having searched the internet and checked my photos for verification ):
DF4A 0304,0655.
DF4B 1656,2534,2634,9517.
DF4C 5012.
However 4028 could have been either a DF4C or a DF4D. It was not possible to detrain at Siping or Tongliao to check this from the platform (locked external doors). The number was obtained through the end of the leading coach by a fellow traveller who did quote the loco type as DF4D4028 rather than 4028. However you know what happens on occasions when you ask a friend - I feel a class 101/114 moment arriving. DF4D4028 is allegedly a freight build (The COE has self contained train heating in each coach so doesn't eliminate either loco)so ....... Anyone got an Ian Allan China Rail shed book? |
andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 02:43 pm: | |
Further to above - just when I thought I'd got to grips with DF4 classification a note about the Tieling area in a 2003 posted website article leads me to suspect that CNR loco number 0304 is a DF4D rather than a DF4A.
Also one of the sites devoted to China Rail indicates that the south end of the high speed line used by Beijing Shenyang passenger trains is at Qinhuangdao. This reinforces my assumption that the COE used the classic pre 2003 route.
International Railway Journal July 2003 reports...
CHINA's first purpose-built high-speed passenger railway was due to open on July 1. The 404.6km double-track electrified line links Qinhuangdao with Shenyang. It is connected to the 299km Qinhuangdao-Beijing line which has been upgraded for 200km/h operation.
Wouldn't have had this problem with an Ian Allan and a Baker Atlas - The Quail Atlas is unfortunately showing its age.
It would be nice to get hold of a list of CNR locos and their sphere of working. It would probably confirm my current view that 0304 and 4028 were DF4D haulages.
I understand that Tieling to Daqing is usually freight only as CNR withdrew a number of services deemed to be lightly used a few years ago. However the rest of the route taken by the Jingpeng COE still has passenger services as far as I can tell. |
Alan Sheppard
Username: alsheppit
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2005 - 06:21 pm: | |
Andy, you wrote -
quote:Anyone got an Ian Allan China Rail shed book?
and also
quote:It would be nice to get hold of a list of CNR locos and their sphere of working.
The best I can come up with is ..
http://rcswww(dot)urz.tu-dresden.de/~menius/line/liaoning-tiefa.htm
for a list of Tiefa Coal Locos, (yes I know the "rcswww." is a strange start to the address).
I have also seen...
http//rcswww(dot)urz.tu-dresden.de/menius/line/neimenggu-jitong.htm
for a list of Ji-Tong Locos.
I also have a couple of queries on spellings on...
Shuanliao or Shuangliao.
Yamenimao or Yamenmiao.
Zhengxianbaiqi or Zhengxiangbaiqi.
Tongxian or Tong Xion (i.e. 2 words).
Most of the other places I have found on maps, although I do not have Chinese Quail!
I cannot find Funin, but have found Funing in about the right area, and also Fuxin close by!
Then there is Fangjia which I could not find, but could find Fengjia, but that appeared to be off-route unless Shenyang Bei is North of Shenyang.
It's all double-dutch to me, but I am after doing the page as accurate as possible, in the light of recent allegations about the accuaracy of Six Bells in a well known fortnightly newsletter.
I did find a station list on the Ji-Tong (including Chinese symbols) on
http://home(dot)c2i.net/schaefer/jitongtielu/stationlist.html
It is hoped all your pages will appear on SBJ by next weekend.... I have found the China trips very interesting, especially when I have browsed the net for further info.
Al |
andy_pullar
Username: andy_pullar
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 10, 2005 - 09:45 pm: | |
The very nature of the web site means that there will be errors particularly from years ago.The beauty of the site is the ability for people to point out any errors and add to the data already posted - The well known fortnightly newsletter reviewer is obviously entitled to his views but in my opinion their reviewer missed the point of Six Bells.
Chinese place names are composite words (i.e Bei Jing) so it is possible that the names can be shown either way. Tongxian is spelled as such in the Quail China Railway Atlas last published in 1998.
According to Quail the other names you queried are as follows ( some due to my typo's and some copy errors from one source giving differing spellings to other sources I've since checked against):
Zhengxiangbaiqi
Yamenmiao
Shuangliao
Funing
Apologies for this. I dread to think what the errors translate as.
I am pleased to see you found enjoyment from my posting of these Chinese meanderings. Bei means north in Chinese so Shenyang Bei is indeed geographically north of Shenyang station. However, Shenyang Station was not passed through on the COE route as far as I and my travel companions could tell. Fangjia station is shown on the Quail Atlas between Dahushan and Xinmin on the line from Goubangzi to Shenyang Bei.
As mentioned previously there have been a number of changes to the rail infrastructure around the Shenyang area so I am not 100% clear of the route taken through Shenyang. There have been major changes to that shown in the Quail Atlas. There is supposed to be a new print of this in the near future will hopefully clarify the track in the area following electrification in 2003.
The stock used on the COE was as follows:
XL25T 205854
RW25B 552776
RW25B 552775
RW25B 552777
CA23 891396
CA25B 892736
CA23 891395
KD25T 998496
RW25K 552828
RW25K 552834
RW25B 552774
RW25B 552772
RW25B 552778
The web site I found most useful was Ji-Tong line Travel Guide 2004 compiled by Hinrich Brummer (maybe Heinrich Bruemmer). Other sites list locos in service on the local and industrial railways where steam is still used and one site explains the different classes of steam, diesel and electric locos. I haven't yet found one that lists the China Rail loco numbers in detail and where they can normally be seen.
Given the number of locos involved it is probably not surprising. It would be interesting to know the gradient of the line south of Badaling. It was pretty awesome going down let alone climbing the other way.
Andy |
Alan Sheppard
Username: alsheppit
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 10:33 pm: | |
There you go, all done and uploaded to Six Bells!
Al |