Cambodia Index
Cambodia was briefly fashionable as a steam tourist destination in 1999/2000
(see below) since when it has seen relatively few visitors for steam. Now Hans
Hufnagel tells me (29th October 2005) that the only
working steam locomotive, 231-501, needs heavy repairs for which there is no
money.... For an illustrated report on Cambodia's railways on a December 2006
visit with information that confirms this see http://www.phantasrail.com/cambodia.htm
(added 23rd July 2007). James Waite stopped off here in March 2008 and found the
railway staff friendly but the railway still
steamless (13th April 2008).
Andrew Robinson was
here in early 2005 (report added 21st May 2005) and
although he was unable to gain entry to the shed because it was a public
holiday, he was told that the steam stock is still intact. It seems unlikely that there is much work if any for
steam here, especially as the Chinese are delivering new diesels, which won't
last long unless they have done some work on the track since I was there. One change is that the
Franco-Belge 1912 2-6-2
previously in store has now been stuffed and mounted near the station (I wish
they had chosen one of the surplus Pacifics as this delightful beast will
rapidly deteriorate in the open). Further, Hans Hufnagel has told me that he ran
trips here in 2001, 2003 and 2004 and that the only steam locomotive available
was still 231.501.
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand ran a public
excursion on 5th February 2000 (8th February 2000) and had planned a further more
ambitious tour between December 1st and 4th 2000. Floods in the country forced its
postponement to January 18th to 21st 2001. I am not sure whether it finally took place.
For details see their website http://www.fccthai.com
or Email: fcct@asiaaccess.net.th.
It had long been known that there were serviceable steam locos in the country - the
problem was getting them to work, not least for security reasons. Florian Schmidt succeeded (5th April 1999, pictures added
17th June 1999). And I joined the first ever (contradictions gratefully received) steam
tour group (again organised by Florian) here in November 1999 - read my report (9th December 1999) - another railfan tour group visited in January 2000 (9th February
2000). I have had some comments on a 1990 trip by Colin
Martindale (added 17th December 1999). Probably the last gricer to see and ride with real
steam here was Olaf Güttler in 1991 - contradictions
gratefully received.
China Index
In general, this site now longer carries current China steam reports - if
you want to know why then click here. However, all
the old reports on this site are still available - click
here for reports from 2000 to 2005.
For a useful summary of
Chinese steam activity in 2006, read what Bernd Seiler of Far Rail had to
say (30th June 2006). Looking back further, I also have a number of reports
dating from 1996 to 1999 available, although most no longer have their
pictures.
I make occasional exceptions to this rule such as my own visits to the embryonic
tourist railway at Shibanxi - click here for the
latest report (updated 25th June 2009), a November
2007 visit to Jalainur/Zhalainuoer (updated 15th November
2008) and a December 2008 visit to the Xingyang
Brickworks Railway (updated 29th June 2009). The big pit at Jalainur is living
on borrowed time reports on
SY-Country indicate that it will be all over by August 2009 (6th
March 2009).
Yuehong and I have now got a little more time to travel again for steam,
the number of locations shrinks week by week, click here for some pictures
from one of our
expeditions (9th December 2007):
There are few places other than China where you can see a commercially used
narrow gauge steam locomotive getting a full overhaul in 2005.
Not to mention sights like this in Huanan, Heilongjiang:
The following represents a good starting point (links added 27th
April 2007) for those wanting to know more
about Chinese steam in the 21st Century. Some are mainly pictorial, others
include background information including the dreaded 'modern traction', not to
mention the model railway scene. Often they contain links to further sites.
And if you are travelling independently, then Duncan Peattie's English
version of the Chinese Railway Timetable is what you need, the translation
of the new and much changed April 2007 timetable available at the end of May
2007 (19th May 2007). Another essential companion is the Quail China Railway
Atlas - the 3rd edition is now available - see http://www.quailmapcompany.free-online.co.uk/
(23rd June 2008).
Going, going, gone..... CNR steam was a mere 602 active locomotives on 1st
January 2001, down from 1014 a year earlier, advises Florian Schmidt (26th September 2001)
- of course this does not include industrial steam. Now it is effectively gone, (23rd June 2003) Zhang Xin Sheng
told me that the Wuhai/Jilantai line was dieselised on 20th June 2003.
Henry Posner III (28th May 2007) updates the QJ
export story (see below) - Railroad Development Corporation has found its first third party buyer for the Chinese QJ 2-10-2s that it has been marketing since mid-2006. R.J.Corman Railroads has signed a purchase agreement for a QJ to be overhauled in the next several months at the Jinzhou 701 workshop, under subcontract to RDC by Multipower
International, arrival in the USA is expected late summer 2007. The ultimate destination is R.J.Corman's Kentucky operation, where it will be used for special events.
RDC Chairman Henry Posner III commented, "Our next objective is to find homes for the other 2 QJs stored at the 701 Factory."
RDC consultant Dennis Daugherty will supervise the overhaul, just as he did for the first 2 QJs which are currently stored and available for charter work.
Henry Posner III told me that the third QJ mentioned above (7040) will be
shipped to the USA from Dalian in late October 2007 (20th
October 2007). QJ 7040 has now arrived at Corman's Central Kentucky base in
Lexington (http://www.rjcorman.com/kentucky.htm).
There are several pictures of it available on http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=Steam%202-10-2.
It is in the shops for complete repainting as of 15th
April 2008 "It is black Imron epoxy enamel with a 2 foot red stripe from the tender to the pilot. It is edged with 2 inch white stripes and on the tender the RJ Corman name is spelled out on the red in white lettering. Underneath, on the black, it says Central Kentucky Lines in white lettering. The wheels are now black. The paint job on the engine when it arrived was over about 4 layers of dust, rust, and crud. Corman planned to spend one day prepping the locomotive and tender and then another 2 days to paint it. It's taken them 2 weeks to finish the tender.
Joe Holbrook has been doing much work on the engine, including completely rewiring it and fabricating the class light mounting system for the boiler top. It has been under steam several times testing back and forth in the yards. Matt Schwerin stated they've probably put 20 miles on it just doing this. There were many steam leaks to be taken care of and they're still finding more.
A late April debut is planned." Thanks to Alton Lanier and Thomas Schultz
for this update. For regular news of the RDC QJs see this official page http://www.rrdc.com/news_QJ.html
(added 3rd May 2009).
In April 2000, I reported that China was again about to export second hand locos (to
Canada), I am not sure what happened to that project but Geoff Noon sent me a
picture of JS 8419 which did make it to the USA (14th
November 2003) to which I added Raymond Lillie's picture of an SY
in the USA. (updated 11th September 2006). In 2005/6, Henry Posner III purchased and
overhauled 2 former Jitong QJs 6988 and 7081 and shipped them to the USA - see http://www.rypn.org/RyPN/briefs/viewbriefs.asp?filename=060422111818.txt
for a report (27th April 2006). Wayne Weiss adds (22nd
June 2006): "Photographed the 2 QJs being offloaded in Houston Sat evening June 10th. They were loaded on flats at shipside. The locos were loaded on QTTX 8 axle heavy duty flats and the tenders on standard 60' BNSF flats. Several days were spent tying them down and getting approval of the loads. They now sit in
BNSF's South Yard (Houston) and will probably head south to Alvin then Northwest through Sealy and Cleburne and Fort Worth. Destination is Silvis where they will be offloaded and taken to Iowa City, Iowa where the FRA inspectors will be shown and look at anything they want. Then there will be a couple break in freight runs for invited guests and potential buyers, Henry Posner III who bought them doesn't really have a potential tourist operation on his Iowa Interstate RR (old Rick Island main from Chicago to Omaha). The locomotives were fully rebuilt at the ex military 701 locomotive factory near
Nanpiao (not on the Nanpiao Coal Railway) with new flues, superheaters and circulators, new spring rigging, 3 new axles each (the US does not allow axle turning which they do in China).. New crown brasses were installed and the driver tires were turned, they trued the crankpins and installed new brasses, The cylinders and valves were bored and the pistons and valves got new rings and the feedwater heaters and pumps were rebuilt. The tenders were lifted and the tender trucks were fully reconditioned. They are like new and ready for years of service. They are being offered for considerably less than most lines spend to refurbish an engine every 5 years."
Alan Crotty points out that pictures
are available. Now, Henry Posner III tells me there are pictures available
of 6988 on a test run in Iowa on 6th September 2006 - see http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/BICBwith6988,
Trevor Heath adds that 7081 hauled a short freight unassisted on 9th September
2006 http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/Recent
(added 10th September 2006). Both the QJs worked a further (very long!) revenue freight on 9th
June 2007 reports Henry Posner III - read a
full account which includes a link to a video clip of the action (9th
July 2007).
China Rail Publishing House in Beijing currently has two books of special interest. The
first (added 13th September 1999) is "A Survey of Steam Locomotives", published
by the China Steam Locomotive Association in October 1998 (in Chinese and English). The
price is Y88 for soft cover and Y108 hardcover. It is also readily purchased in Da Tong
where the Association has its headquarters. CRPH now has bilingual "A Picture Album
of Steam Locomotives in China, 1876 - 2001", ISBN 7-113-04147-7, a much larger volume
at Y288 (don't be put off by the price it is a great book), which includes many pictures
of early locomotives (don't trust all the descriptions though!). It also shows a number of
preserved locomotives, including those which were then in the Science and Technology Exhibition Hall,
Ministry of Railways, East Beijing, but are mostly if not all at the Railway
Museum, see below. Note
that the easiest way to get to CPRH is to board a 59 bus at its northern terminus at
Qianmen (on Metro circle line) and ride it to its southern terminus which is next to the
southern moat, west of Beijing Nan station. CPRH is just a few metres back. Don't expect
anyone to speak English here. I think it is generally accepted that taking a taxi instead
of a bus will not save any time! (added 9th January 2002)
Being almost exclusively interested in 'real, live' steam, it took me about 4
months to realise that the new Beijing Railway Museum at Chaoyang is just 20
minutes walk from my wife Yuehong's apartment in north-east Beijing - see
Hans Schaefer's web site for information http://home.c2i.net/schaefer/railwaymuseum/,
the museum is open 09.00 to 16.00 (not Mondays), admission is Y20 and for a location map see http://www.hasea.com/infoadmin/info/show.cgi?type=23&id=20021028222602.
(added 1st
June 2004)... Robin Gibbons home page has a list of
preserved steam locomotives in China. For information on the Shenyang museum see
http://www.syslm.com.cn, for the Shanghai
museum see http://www.shrail.com/bwg/tlbwg.htm.
An unlikely source of a
museum locomotive (29th March 2005) may be the
bridge over the Lalin River on the border between Jilin and Heilongjiang as
reported in the newsgroup Steam_in_China Steam_in_China-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Based on reports appearing on the internet in Chinese it seems that one of the 5
foot gauge Baldwin (#16117) built Vauclain compound 2-8-0s for the China Eastern
Railway between 1898 and 1900 has been found more or less intact in the river
bed having been buried under layers of silt for around 70 years. It is,
after all, the second oldest steam locomotive in China and created a lot of
media interest including live TV coverage of the excavation. It has now been sent to Changchun for restoration and eventual
display, its initial destination was the Changchun Puppet Imperial Palace (updated
8th May 2005). The first picture below (22nd
April 2005) appeared in the China Daily, the second (courtesy of Chris
Walker, 4th May 2005) shows how the locomotive will
have looked when delivered (26th July 2005).
Latest news (31st August 2006) from Zhang Lantou
is that the engine (but not tender) has been cleaned and painted and put on
display:
China was home to trams in Changchun, Dalian and
Anshan. The Changchun system is
effectively converted to a light rail system and now (29th August 2003) I hear the Anshan
system has closed pending the same change. The trams at Dalian, I understand, are still
operating.....
Despite the decline in activity, more enthusiasts travel to China than anywhere else...
Cook Islands Index
The Cook Islands are an unlikely site for a new steam enterprise in the 21st century.
John Day has forwarded me a report (5th
September 2000) which originated from Ken Wuschke. Tim Arnold Email goloco@steamshed.co.ck is the originator of the
project and would be pleased to hear of anyone coming his way! Here she is courtesy of Tim
(new picture 7th June 2003):
Fiji Index
Fiji finished with steam in the sugar mills in the early 70s, although there are
several locos preserved. Its main claim to fame was the 'Free Train'. In mid October 1997,
I got an interesting Email from Joe Mataika at the Fiji Institute of Technology.
Apparently they are aiming to restore one of the locos to working order, but
unfortunately, the return Email address was dead. If Joe reads this or if anyone has a
Fiji contact, please get in touch with me as I have some information for him!
Indonesia Index
Long ago, it was the Iron Dinosaurs of the
PJKA/PNKA that turned
me into a fulltime international gricer. The only active main line steam now is
based on the Ambarawa
Railway Museum, which includes an operational rack railway. Two
B250-4-2RT are serviceable, E1060 from West Sumatra was here (but only working
on the flat) for 10 years between 1998 and 2008 but is now returning to its
former haunts for the new Sawahlunto Railway Museum - where the coal mine for
which the railway was built was sited (30th November 2008). Click
here for more information on developments in West Sumatra (5th
March 2009)
Below is is their active conventional steam locomotive C1218, newly
restored and working its first train for overseas enthusiasts in August 2006. A
proud moment for me as I helped organise its rescue from the back of the shed at
Cepu a few years back. Click here for more
pictures. Now C1218 has gone to Solo where it will launch a
tourist service on part of the Wonogiri branch commencing 17th September 2009 (12th
September 2009). The street running down the main drag, Jalan Slamet
Riyadi, will be challenging for photographers and especially videographers, but
assuming the experiment is a success we shall feature a charter here during
our 2010 Java tour... Here is C1218 on a test run on 13th September 2009 (15th
September 2009), the picture by Yuda Nugrahadi was originally uploaded to
the Yahoo Keretapi Group, click
here for more pictures (19th September 2009):
There is another open
air museum in Jakarta, at Taman Mini Indonesia. The other preserved steam
operation has been at Cepu, where the Forest Railway offered a very special day
out until 2005 - see my report on the Cepu Forest Railway
(21st August 2002) where you don't have to use the tourist coaches and can have a 'real'
train. A bridge suffered severe damage in early 2006 and it seemed that the
railway was doomed. However, Steve Noon tells me (31st
December 2007) that the bridge has been repaired and that work was
completed to reinstate the railway for a first proving run with steam on
15th/16th December 2007. We added a visit to
this fascinating railway during our 2008 Java tour and would have been back during the Java
Experience Tour in 2009 were it not for the recession.
However the main steam attraction of Java revolves around the
sugar mills which in 2006 still operated up to 50 narrow gauge steam
locomotives within the mills and in a very few cases out into the fields. This
makes it, after China, number 2 in the world for real working steam
locomotives.
This is the fabulous Olean Mill in 2004, it was still like this in 2005/6 and
was like this in 2007 too, albeit activity seemed marginally less than before.
And inside the mills there is a mass of ancient
stationary stream power too.
I used to say that Java steam (like its wonderful strong
coffee) was an
acquired taste. And until 2006 most of you agreed with me because every year
very few enthusiasts took the opportunity - but then I took no less than 45
enthusiasts in two parties and there were at least three other tours there
too. It won't last for
ever, 2008 will have been the time to take the plunge, you may have missed
it in its prime, but there is still nothing else in the world quite like it -
and despite what the papers and TV says, the people of Java are among the most
friendly and hospitable in the world. I am proud to say that I have been
leading and running tours here for 25 years and have so managed them that
independent travellers will not have their visits blighted by constant demands
for cash except for the official and long standing admission fees charged by
the mills themselves. Access to the historic copiously illustrated reports and
links to visitor information have now been moved to a
separate page, but you can access the information on 2008 activity directly
on
this page (updated and illustrated 12th August 2008). I have made my
usual pre-season predictions (updated with reports 2nd
September 2009). For some excellent galleries of Java steam in recent years, please see David
Longman's site, which also has valuable current information for
independent travellers.
|
Visiting Olean in 2010? Need some help with transport to chase the
trains?
Please contact Zaenal Combo vidicombo@hotmail.com
|
Apart from Java, there was still be a little steam in the Oil Palm Estates in
North Sumatra into the 1990s, I have added some archive photos (21st March 1998), but a German group
visited (26th August 1998) and found only Dolok Sinumbah (2 locos shunting out of 5
serviceable) and Dolok Ilir (1 loco shunting out of 2 serviceable) had active steam.
Certainly, I gave up on this after my 1993 visit. Geoff Warren found only a
few preserved locos on a 2008 visit (29th August 2008),
Joachim Lutz was here a little later and fills
in most of the gaps (1st October 2008).
 |
John Raby
Digital Railway Videos
These include Steamy Java 1999, PNKA Power Parade's Last Fling 1982 and Java Sugar Mills: Stationary Steam Engines and Steam Locomotives.
|
I have added a list of known preserved main line
steam locomotives in the country (updated 5th March
2009).
An extraordinary find in Yogyakarta was a sectioned standard
gauge locomotive at a technical school north of the main station, these pictures
of 1901 Hanomag 0-6-0T 107 are courtesy of Hery Nugroho (25th
May 2008).
Similarly the
discovery of B1602 at the former steam locomotive works at Madiun (29th
August 2008).
Japan Index
I do not cover Japan in detail but Oliver
Mayer's pages have useful information including planned steam runs. John Raby has put
up some pics of Hokkaido steam in
the snow (16th January 2002)
Laos Index
The only railway ever built in Laos was used to transport goods around rapids in the
Mekong River on the islands of Don Det and Don Khon. It was 7km long and abandoned at the
end of the Second World War. For some time I carried a picture of a surviving locomotive,
Hans Hufnagel has been here and I have posted a report of what he
found (2nd January 2004).
Malaysia Index
Long ago (1972-9) I lived in Penang, Malaysia. I have 2 children and a set of
nameplates and numberplates from 563.09 to show for it. I saw the end of steam there and
enjoyed the early preservation scene. I even drove a steam loco from Seremban to Port
Dickson and back in 1987. In the mid 1990s there was a report in an Indonesian newspaper
about a proposed steam-hauled tourist train from Gemas to Tampin, but I gather it was not
a success and did not last very long. I have added some historical
background to 564.36 Temerloh and the Malayan Railway, provided by Fergus Moffat (22nd
February 2001). Andrew Bremner has provided some pictures of
the restoration and rolling stock (11th May 2002).
Zakaria Bin Yusof (Email lokomotif@hotmail.com)
told me that "a few months ago in 1997, I saw that steam loco at the KL
Railway Station during a joy ride for the school children." Does anyone
have any further information? On 16th December 1999, I was told by KTM that
their steam engine was not available for charter 'for technical reasons'.
However, Brian Garvin reported to the Continental Railway Circle News Group that
he was told by a loco inspector on 13th February 2006 that 564.36 was fully
operational if in need of a steam crew and some tender loving care.... (added
9th March 2006). Since when the locomotive has had a repaint for a celebration
of 100 years of railways in Gemas. See http://www.ktmrailwayfan.com
for information - this site also has some nice historical pictures if you hunt
around among the diesels and other crap (link added 11th
September 2006).
Click here for
my list of preserved steam in West Malaysia - I would appreciate pictures of
those locomotives not already illustrated (564.36 added 17th
June 2009).
For up to date information on the Malayan Railway, check out http://www.keretapi.com/. For more historical information see
Malcolm Wilton Jones's site http://members.lycos.co.uk/railsing/
and http://searail.mymalaya.com/ (amended
16th January 2008)
and Tim Light's site http://www.timlight.uni.cc/.
These links added 15th December 2005.
Meanwhile in East Malaysia, Victoria Hilley sent me information about the tourist North Borneo Railway project. (December 11th 1999). Briefly
as from January 22nd 2000, there have been and will continue to be twice weekly trains for
individual travelers (FITs), scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday departures at 10:00am,
with return by 14.30. Journey is between Kota Kinabalu Tanjung Aru station to Papar
station and return (66km). A colonial-style lunch will be served to passengers while on
board. The walk-on fares are Adult RM180 (approx U$40.00) and Child RM130 (approx.
U$34.00). The train is available for private charters on a 7 day basis if notice is given.
It was officially launched by the Chief Minister of the State on 22nd January (24th
February 2000) and their own web page
is now available (20th April 2000). Hans Hufnagel was here in
July 2000 and I was here in January 2001 (with steam
up the Padas Gorge to Tenom - final pictures added 2nd February 2001). John Raby
has also been here (added 21st
February 2001). James Waite told me (25th May 2006)
that the train is now running on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. James reports
that the train locomotive is now 6-016 instead of 6-015 which needs some
repairs. Currently (23rd July 2007), services are
suspended (at least on the coastal section between Kota Kinabalu and Beaufort)
while the railway is given a much needed make over. Re-opening was scheduled for
some time in the first quarter of 2008, but informed local opinion suggest that
potential visitors should not hold their breath. In the meantime John Douglas
reports that 6-015 and 6-016 are under heavy overhaul (17th
January 2008):
Mongolia Index
Colin Young saw a small open air museum in passing in Ulaan Bataar in 2006
with at least three steam locomotives (one was a P36). More information would be
welcome (added 24th August 2007). Torsten Schneider has provided more information
and some pictures (2nd December 2008).
Myanmar
(Burma) Index
Pictures of the Burma Mines Railway before the enthusiasts got there in quantity in the
late 1990s are distinctly rare. Click here for Wilhelm Wisch's pictures of the Burma Mines
Railway in the 1970s (20th November 2003). Click here for my own visit to
the Burma Mines
Railway in 1999 (but, alas the steam was no longer 'real'). For a more
recent survey of the railway check out this page - with further pages linked - http://www.drehscheibe-foren.de/foren/read.php?30,4255932
(20th May 2009), the 200+ pictures are all grouped
here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12906273@N05/sets/72157615814027547/
(4th July 2009).
British built YB and YC 4-6-2 and YD 2-8-2 were still at work here in small
numbers well into the 21st century, although the FarRail tours newsletter of
August 2008 reports that all steam was withdrawn on orders from HQ in June 2008
(22nd August 2008). Few people visit these days so
confirmation will be difficult but what follows may well be history and bear
this in mind in planning a visit. Thomas Kautzor has provided a
December 2008 update on this depressing news (24th
December 2008).
The principal steam shed is at Bago, some 50 miles (80 km) north-east of
Yangon.
From there, irregular workings occur along the mainline between Yangon and as
far north (probably as Pyimana or even Thazi) and also on the branch main line
to Mottama/Molulmein. Prepare for a significant gap between trains, but where
else in the world can you see real steam on a double track main line on a state
railway in the 21st century? Click
here for the visitor reports, essential readings if you are thinking of
visiting, the latest comes from Shane O'Neil's June 2007 visit (23rd
July 2007),
these also contain other reports of visits to the Burma Mines Railway (see
above).
This is YD 972 on on a freight train at Pyuntaza, 30th December 2005, the same locomotive I had seen in Insein Works
(see below)
nearly a year before.
.
In September 2006, China donated 130 carriages from the Yunnan metre gauge
system to Myanmar (I rode several in early 2007 and while their condition was
better than average for Myanmar they were pretty worn out by current Chinese
standards). In return the Chinese got two ST 2-6-4T (and a couple of wagons),
reportedly one has gone to the museum in Kunming and one to Beijing. 'Bizarre'
is the word that springs to mind (23rd May 2007), the picture looks like Yangon
station to me:
Not strictly a 'steam' story, but there are plans afoot to relocate
the main station in Yangon, 'more eccentricity' would be the most polite
comment I could make (26th November 2007).
New Caledonia Index
Definitely not 'working steam' but here is a snippet from Jacques Daffis which I found
fascinating. For some background read 'Rails to the Setting Sun' by Charles Small
page 147ff:
"I don't remember if I informed you that we have repatriated Decauville steam
locomotive N° 288 from New Caledonia in July 1998. This 60 cm gauge locomotive was built
1898, delivered 12.03.99. to Higgison International Nickel Corporation, Noumea, New
Caledonia. It is a 3,250 tons "new model", the smaller one in the Decauville
catalogue. At some time, the locomotive was regauged for 50 cm gauge, and sold to
Société Le Nickel, New Caledonia. It worked until about 1945, and later was abandoned in
the jungle. The locomotive together with his sister 287 was rescued with the help of the
French army, and taken to Noumea with a helicopter. 287 was restored externally and
exposed as monument at the society Le Nickel headquarters in Noumea (it is 287, but with
288 plate). 288 was left rusting in a siding in Noumea. After long negotiations, and huge
help of a resident, we were able to import it to France. New Caledonia is in a process
towards independence, and it impossible to export old objects, they are
"patrimony". I suppose that it is the only locomotive coming from so far (about
20 000 km), and it is also as far as I know the only Decauville type 3.250 t in France and
perhaps in Europe.
North Korea Index
North Korea has never been an easy country to visit and effectively
absolutely impossible for independent travellers. Many years ago there were a
few short-lived tours but since 2002 a small number of groups have visited and
the curtain has been raised slightly. The authorities seem to blow hot and news
of scrappings and an end to the trips tends to be followed by a new discovery.
There still is real working steam in the country, but just how much is
impossible to guess. I have now moved the tour reports to a separate page. If
you are considering joing a tour here then you should read them carefully...
These pictures were taken by me in early 2003:
Several readers sent me notes on an article which appeared in the
UK Daily Telegraph on 19th September 2000 concerning
work to re-establish a rail link with South Korea which included this contraption (photo
is from Reuters):
One of James Hefner's contacts notes: "...no cylinders and visible
gear, at least from the side you see on the picture as well, instead axleboxes. Spoked
wheels, nevertheless. The "boiler" has no smokebox door. And ... would be
wondering about the exhaust design, as it has two smokestacks. The "rear end"
bears a "coal box". He felt, and James agreed, that it is either a diesel with
steam bits added to it; or something built on a steam locomotive frame. It is not clear
whether it came from South Korea or North Korea. Marcelo Benoit sent this note from Kass
Franklin which seems to solve the mystery (13th October 2000)
" In Alfred W. Bruce's "Steam Locomotive In America" (1952)
I found this on page 369:
STEAM TURBINES FOR THE SOVIET UNION
Some very interesting mobile, but not self-propelled, steam-turbine
electric power plants were built in the United States to furnish temporary electric power
in devastated Russian areas. These power plants were mounted on railroad-car type of
underframes and trucks and could be located wherever there were rail connections. Only the
3,000-kw size as built during World War II with a conventional locomotive-type boiler is
described here.
The fuel specified was a poor grade of native lignite, stoker-fired and required a very
large grate area. The boiler was short and of large diameter. Induced stack draft was
furnished by a turbine-driven fan located on the boiler unit, with two boiler units for
each intermediate 3,000-kw plant. Each boiler unit had its adjacent conventional
locomotive tender for coal and water supply, the coal being replenished from any nearby
outcropping, and the steam was condensed. The entire power plant consisted of ten car
units, as separate car units were provided for the switch gear, turbine set, and cooling
set. In all, ninety-seven power plants were built, a total of 217,000-kw. They included
forty-seven with 1,000-kw capacity and water-tube boilers; forty with 3,000-kw capacity
and locomotive-type boilers; and ten with 5,000-kw capacity and water-tube boilers."
Philippines Index
Negros went out of fashion at the tail end of the 20th century as working
steam here ground to a halt and I have now archived all the reports up to the
time when regular working steam finished (1997-1999). Click
here to read them.
Bernd Seiler took a tour group here in February 2007,
lots of nostalgia and American diesels, with just a smidgeon of very nice
geriatric plastic steam, see below courtesy of Hans Hufnagel). Read
about it (29th March 2007). Thomas Kautzor
also visited Luzon and Panay, no active steam but an
interesting account with quite a bit of preserved steam among the diesels...
(14th April 2007). The repeat tour in February 2008 was not overly successful and the
end is in sight not just for steam, but all the sugar cane railways in
Negros (26th May 2008).
Sad news for me as a two time visitor was the news that Hawaiian Philippine have their
3ft gauge roster for sale. I received the following email (24th April 2003) "We are a
company in the Philippines operating at least 8 steam locomotives, mostly built by Baldwin
Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, Pa, USA. Some are still operational, and others need only
minor repairs. I would like to inquire if anybody is still interested to buy these
machines. I could provide each of the equipment specifications if somebody is interested.
Thank you." Point of contact is J Cristales, email jlcristales@hpcosugar.com. I need hardly
mention that these are highly desirable beasts! The company have also provided (25th April
2003) a specification list of the locomotives (#2 was
sold recently). Colin Rainsbury tells me (23rd June 2004)
that the locomotives have now been sold. According to a report in Continental
Railway Journal (edition #142), 0-6-0ST 8 and 9 which went from Hawaii to Negros
in 1948 have returned there to run on a new tourist railway on the island of
Kauai (26th June 2005). I have heard since (12th
February 2006) that the railway expects to start operating in Summer
2006, but initially with a vintage Whitcomb diesel. Bernd Seiler visited in
April 2006 and found all work in the hands of diesels but La Carlota (one loco)
and Hawaiian Philippine (2) had serviceable steam locomotives (30th
April 2006).
South
Korea Index
No live steam for a long time, but on
searching the web it seems that there quite a few preserved steam
locomotives in the country. Details need filling in, see my
museums page (3rd December 2008).
Taiwan Index
There are a number of active preserved steam locomotives on Taiwan including
CK101 and CK124 on the mainline. Continental Railway Journal 150 notes
that specials were run from 22nd to 24th December 2006 and again on 3rd/4th
February 2007, the latter based on Changhua (this added 23rd
July 2007, see also the earlier report below), click here
for more information and the full reports from Taiwan which includes active
preserved industrial steam (updated 27th July 2007). This is courtesy of Su
I-Jaw:
I have posted a list of known preserved locomotives
(updated 23rd July 2007), which include many industrial steam locomotives and the
surviving Shays of the Alishan Railway; 26 was restored some time ago, now I
have been told that 25 is again a runner having been converted to oil burning in
April 2006 (23rd July 2007). This picture is
courtesy of Hsieh Ming Pin:
I got this from old friend Ray Gardiner (15th
May 2007) - "Have you seen this website on Taiwan sugar mills? Has some great old photos of the mills and steam locos. Later photos cover the diesel locos very well. Also photos of a lot of other industrial railways,
http://www.citycat.hdud.idv.tw/indexeng.htm
". Unfortunately for reasons beyond my control I can't actually read this
myself, but it sounds a very welcome resource! For a view of the surviving
ex-forestry steam locomotives And for surviving ex-logging steam locomotives (Lotung
and Alsihan) see http://www.citycat.hdud.idv.tw/logging.htm
(23rd July 2007).
"For frustrated, non-Chinese speaking
Railbuffs!!!!" see Taiwan
Railways in English (added 23rd May 2007).
There are some first class maps and one link on it is to this page with an
amazing selection of old steam (and human) powered operations http://www.kurogane-rail.jp/eindex.html.
There are plans to convert the old steam shed at Changhua into a national
railway museum - noted in a report from the Taipei
Times about a heritage steam run in early 2007 (added 17th
May 2007).
Thailand Index
The working preserved steam fleet consists 5 locomotives, Pacifics 824 and
850, Mikado 953 and Moguls 713 and 715. Normally they are kept at Thonburi
shed (west Bangkok) and two of the larger locomotives are used on the annual
special trains from Bangkok to Ayutthaya and back on 26th March, 12th August, 23rd October and 5th
December, normally they work tender to tender as there are no turning
facilities in Ayuthaya. The trains are exceptionally good value and tickets
tend to sell out well in advance of the day, however, I have yet to hear of
any visitor who was not able to board the train and buy a standee ticket. The
moguls are used as part of the annual 'Son et Lumiere' at the
Kanchanaburi in late November/early December. The reports up to 2001 (which
include the short lived Kanchanaburi excursions) are now available on a
separate page.
A surprisingly good source of current and historical information on Thai
railways is http://www.2bangkok.com,
clearly the webmaster is a transport enthusiast. Dig around for information and
it will be very rewarding (link added 30th July 2005). I
have at long last got hold of a reasonably up-to-date list of preserved
steam in Thailand (minor update 25th July 2009). Like all such lists it needs careful
scanning for corrections/additions, please let me know and I will pass them on.
James Waite points out (10th December 2007) that
many of these feature on the Thai Railfans site - http://gallery.rotfaithai.com/index.php
especially under 'others'. He had been in the country for the Kanchanaburi
festival, Kings birthday train etc. He reports all went well and the
two Japanese Mikados entombed at the former Asia Rice Mills are still there.
Most readers will have no problem working out what is happening here!
James Waite stopped off here in March 2008 and investigated some
preserved steam south east of Bangkok (13th April 2008). He was back again
in December 2009 for
a steamy weekend which included several preserved narrow gauge items in the
north of the country (12th December 2009)
After a 5 year gap I was back in Bangkok at the end of November 2005. Read about
some interesting preserved rail and road items
in the city (updated 25th May 2008). One incidental was a ride on the King's
Birthday Special from Bangkok to Ayuthaya on 5th December 2005 (seen below).
The weather was not kind, I spent most of the day familiarising myself
with Beer Chang: Patrick Rudin reports that the steam locos failed to reach
Ayuthaya on 5th December 2006, which, given the general state these days of both
the steam locomotive fleet and the railway as a whole doesn't come as any great
surprise.... (added 9th December 2006). Aya Kakuma and Chris Jeffery now tell me
that actually 824 did make it all the way but that 953 was detached at Bang
Pa-in, the return run was diesel, presumably because 824 was north facing (12th
March 2007).
I was briefly in Bangkok in
April 2006, I had just enough time to finally see the
two Japanese Mikados entombed at the former Asia Rice Mills (26th
April 2006).
John Baker has sent (19th February 2005) this
fascinating story from the Bangkok Post. Does anyone know which locomotive it
is? "Ratchaburi: After six decades lying under water, a locomotive from a Japanese military-owned train that was bombed by the Allies during World War II will be retrieved from the Mae Klong river in Muang district and put on display as a tourist attraction.
During World War II, the locomotive fell into the water when Chulalongkorn bridge was bombed by the Allies. The train was carrying weapons and supplies for Japanese soldiers and was crossing the Mae Klong river on its way to Burma.
Lt-Gen Chaiyuth Theppayasuwan, chief of the army's Engineering Department, yesterday took technicians and divers to inspect the locomotive, which they found was still in good condition but surrounded by explosives.
Each point where bombs were found would be marked and navy experts would be invited to survey the area and find ways to remove the locomotive and the explosives from the water.
The train would then be put on display. Light and sound performances after its restoration would be held at Loy Krathong every year to show that war did no good to anyone and caused only damage, death and grief."
I have since read that it is yet another C56 (7xx series 2-6-0s in later years),
note added 3rd August 2005.
I know it's not steam, but this page on the 2Bangkok forum has some amazing
colour pictures of the trams in 1964/5 - http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/
Tram/dailytram.shtml with masses of information available through this
page http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Tram/index.shtml
(added 25th September 2007). This is a sample:
Vietnam Index
At the time when this website was established, there were a number of metre
gauge 141 class 2-8-2 steam locomotives still at work and a 131 2-6-2T and GJ
0-6-0T at Thai Nguyen Steel Works. Slowly the level of steam went down until
there was no more main line activity by by the end of 2002 and the steel works
soon followed. The reports from this period have now been moved to a
separate page. Parts of Vietnam are still a beautiful country but it seems
they won a war and lost the peace; given the mercenary attitude of the railway
and its staff, few will mourn its passing.
After the end of regular working steam, it was assumed that no further tours would be
possible. But Hans Hufnagel then reported (29th December 2003) on a change in policy from the country, however, Hans
later added (21st
May 2005) that he had been told that since no tours at all ran
in 2004, DSVN had decided not to continue to offer steam tours. The Far Rail
group in March 2008 was surprisingly offered an active 141, but it failed to
materialise. However, the group did find active steam in the form of GJ
0-6-0Ts at the Thai Nguyen Steelworks reports
James Waite (13th April 2008).
Surprisingly
141.158 has now turned up preserved outside the station in Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) reports Sebastien Schramm (27th July 2004).
If you want to see Vietnam in 1967 check this out. (27th July 1998)
|
Nick
Lera Video: 
