Chatting with a friend yesterday, and we were wondering about the status of the Chinese locomotives brought to America a few years back. Are they still running? I ask this as an honest question because I have not heard anything about them for a long time.
I asked on another site a few years back about what was required to make them meet U.S. standards, but did not get an answer. That was especially so for the second hand locos brought over.
Were there issues with operation and maintenance over and above what could be expected with American engines?
Thanks for any responses.

At Valley Railroad, Essex, Connecticut, NYNH&H 3025 is serviceable (it had its Annual Inspection in January, 2020) but with the reduced 2020 schedule, was not steamed in 2020. Valley Railroad 3025 will be serviceable for 2021. Several years remain prior to its next 1472 Service Day Inspection. Source: J. David Conrad, December, 2020.

• New Haven (New York, New Haven & Hartford) 3025, 2‐8‐2 (Tangshan 1658 / 1989), Chinese class SY, ex‐Chinese Ministry of Railways 1658

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: https://essexsteamtrain.com/

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On August 21, 2021, as a fundraiser for the Oxford, Iowa Fire Department, Iowa Interstate Railroad plans to operate IAIS 6988. Four (4) trips are planned out of Oxford, Iowa.

• IAIS 6988, 2‐10‐2 (Datong Locomotive Works, China ? / 1985), Chinese class QJ

Tickets (via Oxford Fire Department): https://oxfordfire.wixsite.com/oxfordtrainride/event‐info/oxfordfire‐department‐train‐ride‐on‐saturday‐august‐21‐2021

Iowa Interstate Railroad: https://iaisrr.com/

Here is the link to Boon Valley's JS donation page.
https://bsvrr.com/wp/get-8419-steaming-in-2019/

https://www.rjcorman.com/newsroom/press ... s-new-home
Odd that they call it "Old Smokey" when it is newer (and possibly gives off less smoke) than a lot of the diesels RJ Corman owns.

Thank you for the responses. Nice to know some are still running.
What had to be done, if anything, to place them in service in the U.S.?

The last batch of QJ's were given class repairs in China before they were shipped over, and an inspector was hired to be on-site to ensure the work conformed to US practice.

I believe it was much the same deal with the SY's that were brought over some years ago.

I'm not familiar with what the issues with different shop practice were, exactly. Both men who served as the inspectors post here occasionally, so I'll let them speak for themselves if they wish to comment.

Iowa Interstate's IAIS 6988 recently did a shakedown run, for the trips mentioned above:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KmlKIdkL4s

Looks and sounds good!

Yes, 6988 looks very good and seemed to be working along in fine trim. It certainly does not look out of place on a U.S. operation. The entire crew and operation are to be congratulated.

I hope that people come out and support the runs of 6988 on August 21 and 22. These trips run to support fundraising for local volunteer fire departments. Saturday is at Oxford, Iowa, while Sunday is at Wilton. Reportedly, some tickets remain for the Wilton trips, but you can also support the efforts by making a donation or buying some of the products that they are selling.

Lately, it has been getting harder for these fire departments to be willing to sponsor the trips, so the better they do financially, the more willing they are to work with the Iowa Interstate on running the QJs.

Susquehanna 142 I believe is also receiving a 1472 day inspection as well.