With no QJs on the Jitong Railway this autumn, my thoughts turned to photographing China's diesels and electrics. Steam is now confined to industrial operations and I was beginning to miss the excitement of photographing big trains on scenic main lines. China has a remarkably varied modern traction scene and those used to seeing nothing but QJs, JSs and SYs might be surprised at the plethora of different diesel and electric classes in use.

go to report

The Daban to Chabuga section of the JiTong Railway was still steam worked in September 2005 but the diesels started to take over at the beginning of October. This report covers my last trip to see steam on this wonderful line, the last steam worked main line on the planet. We also spent a few days on the excellent Huanan narrow gauge railway in north-eastern Manchuria.

go to report

Bryan Acford reports from his 20th Anniversary trip to China, visiting Pingdingshan, Yuzhou, Xingyang, Tiefa, Lindong, Yuanbaoshan and Pingzhuang.



go to report

With the diesels rapidly taking over at Jingpeng we made one last visit there to bid farewell to what had been the greatest steam show on earth before moving on to Lindong for some more big steam action.


go to report

A very successful trip to JIngpeng Pass in perfect late summer weather with blue skies, green hills, cold mornings and clear light. A real glint and silhouette spectacular. Unbeknown to us at the time, diesels started to work over the pass within a couple of weeks of our visit. We also visited Lindong in poor weather and then trekked north to the excellent Huanan narrow gauge operation.

go to report

Bryan Acford's report of his visits to Dahuichang, Lindong and Jingpeng in late winter 2004.





go to report

A winter visit to the industrial railway at Nanpiao followed by the inevitable trip to JIngpeng and Lindong.




go to report

Bryan Acford's report from JIngpeng following our visit to Lindong and Chabuga.





go to report

A return visit to the JiTong line in late Summer when the hills were green and Jingpeng Pass was deserted. After a week or so I teamed up with Bryan Acford to visit Lindong and Chabuga.


go to report

A late winter trip to Jingpeng Pass followed by the industrial railways at Yuanbaoshan, Pingzhuang and Tiefa. The trip finished off with a last visit to the superb Weihe Forestry Railway less than two weeks before its closure.

go to report

The usual November trip to the JIngpeng Pass and Lindong / Chabuga areas on the JiTong line with a short visit to Pingzhuang and Yuanbaoshan mine railways as well.


go to report

Our first Autumn trip to China and our first visit to the industrial railways at Pingdingshan, in Henan province, and Yuanbaoshan and Pingzhuang, south of Chifeng. We also spent some time on Jingpeng Pass and around Lindong and Chabuga on the JiTong Railway and paid a brief visit to the Dahuichang narrow gauge line in Beijing.

go to report