SARS and steam

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2003 10:50 am

Looks like the epidemic has halted visits to China for steam for a while.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?f=10&i=8399&t=8399
ryarger@rypn.org

Alan Levy · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2003 5:10 pm

Myself and a couple of friends were planning a trip to China this summer. The first time in my life I consider going to China and SARS crops up.
What are the odds?

I hope if we go next year that steam is still running as it is now.

I don't want to miss this last stand!

-Alan Levy

Alanl759@aol.com

Michael Allen · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2003 10:19 pm

> I hope if we go next year that steam is
> still running as it is now.
> I don't want to miss this last stand!
> -Alan Levy

Alan,

Don't wait until summer of 2004. At least consider going in late winter or early spring.

China Rail and the Ji Tong Railway jointly announced in March that all QJ overhauls would stop on May 1, 2003. I don't have the information on how many miles a QJ racks up each year, but it is probably between 70,000 km and 140,000 km, based on a division length of 200 km and either one trip or one round trip per day. According to David Wardale's book "The Red Devil" QJ's required major shopping at between 80,000 and 100,000 km. You do the math!

Personally, I would recommend going in March when the bitter winter weather is over but there is still good steam effect from the cold air and maybe even some snow. The QJ's don't smoke very much so summer photography is not as spectacular. Good for video though and it is nice railfanning in a short sleeved shirt!

If you do wait until summer of 2004, you run a good chance of having a mix of steam and diesel on the pass. I expect all steam will be gone by the end of winter 2004/2005.