QJ videos on-line

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Sun Jun 06, 2004 7:27 am

Some recent Chinese QJ steam videos on-line, with instructions. I haven't tried them myself yet, but good luck.

http://bbs.cartserver.com/bbs/q.cgi?p127027401
ryarger@rypn.org

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Sun Jun 06, 2004 7:42 am

Just looked at these. Quite impressive for on-line video, and as close to China as I'll ever get. If you added a swinging bell, it could almost be the C&S in Colorado, 1958. Some of the QJ's appear to have an air horn as well as a whistle.

ryarger@rypn.org

Tom von Trott · **Posted:** Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:49 pm

Wow, that's all I can say.

> Just looked at these. Quite impressive for
> on-line video, and as close to China as I'll
> ever get. If you added a swinging bell, it
> could almost be the C&S in Colorado,
> 1958. Some of the QJ's appear to have an air
> horn as well as a whistle.

PRR 643's Offical Web Site
prr643@hotmail.com

Alan Levy · **Posted:** Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:20 pm

Some QJ engines have a whistle and a horn others have one or the other. Same goes for the SY locos.

I was lucky enough to see first hand for myself this past April.

People, going to China is not really expensive or tough to do. GO! GO! If at all possible.

Feel free to email me directly if you want travel info.

-Alan Levy

AlanL759@aol.com

Superheater · **Posted:** Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:57 pm

> > People, going to China is not really
> expensive or tough to do. GO! GO! If at all
> possible.

> Feel free to email me directly if you want
> travel info.

> -Alan Levy

Alan- No thanks- I have enough contact with China everytime I buy something. Other than the fact that the Chinese engines have a resemblance to American engines- they just don't have any connection to American history.

Besides, no matter how many people go-Chinese steam is gone soon. Do you wanna be a sightseer or a preservation enthusiast? If you are willing to spend a grand there- take the grand and give some local school kids a trip to the nearest RR museum or a ride on the nearest preservation-torist line!

superheater62@yahoo.com

steve singer · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2004 7:58 am

> Alan- No thanks- I have enough contact with
> China everytime I buy something. Other than
> the fact that the Chinese engines have a
> resemblance to American engines- they just
> don't have any connection to American
> history.

> Besides, no matter how many people
> go-Chinese steam is gone soon. Do you wanna
> be a sightseer or a preservation enthusiast?
> If you are willing to spend a grand there-
> take the grand and give some local school
> kids a trip to the nearest RR museum or a
> ride on the nearest preservation-torist
> line!
A preservationist cannot preserve the thrill of a doubleheaded freight struggling upgrade, or a rickedy rural NG branch line still in steam. Both can be seen today in China. And while the amount of steam is not like it used to be, it is an experience every steam fan should have for a memory. If you have interest in real, regular service steam, go to China soon, because even here, it won't last much longer.

Tom Gears · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2004 8:30 am

The steam is real and it is big. If you want to see and feel what real steam railroading is all about China is the place to go and time is running out. Aside from being a father it is the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. It is the closest thing to a time machine you will ever find. I have seen, ridden, run, fired, and worked on steam all of my life and none of it came close to China.

The people are the nicest folks you will ever want to meet. Everyone will try hard to help you and make you feel welcome. I will go back again if they don't end steam right away. Your dollar will go a very long way the memories will last forever.

Tom Gears

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2004 3:58 pm

Another impressive 2004 photo. No lack of true grit here.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=60568
ryarger@rypn.org

steve singer · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2004 6:25 pm

> Another impressive 2004 photo. No lack of
> true grit here.
Should have seen it back in 1983, with each city having a roundhouse with 30-40 hot steamers coming & going. Pacifics still handled most of the passenger runs. USATC 2-8-0s were hauling freight in Shanghai & Hangjou, and when i finally made it to Jijie in 1989 (closed to foreigners until then) 2 foot gauge Baldwin 0-10-0s were still hauling 3 round trips daily to Gejiu, as they had since 1926. All gone now except for photos & memories. Go see what DOES remain while you still can. Steam is universal.

bas1210@comcast.net

Raymond Montgomery · **Posted:** Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:29 pm

> when i finally made it to
> Jijie in 1989 (closed to foreigners until
> then) 2 foot gauge Baldwin 0-10-0s

Steve have you got pictures of the 0-10-0's?

mont3682@bellsouth.net

steve singer · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:12 pm

> Steve have you got pictures of the 0-10-0's?
Sure! e0mail me 7 I can see what I can send you.

bas1210@comcast.net

John West · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2004 7:23 pm

I am always a bit amazed at the large number of Europeans, especially Brits, (and relatively few Americans) that I see chasing steam in China. The RT airfare from the U.S. to Beijing can be as low as $500-600 and once you get there China is dirt cheap by American standards (good hotels at less than $15 per night). And while the hotels vary in quality, on five trips I have yet had to stay in one without a western style bathroom (at least of sorts)....especially in Reshui where there is a nice modern western-style hotel compete with elevator and internet cafe. While there remains lots of steam scattered all over China, the Jitong will be the last chance to see big mainline steam in regular service, anywhere. Seeing it for real while you can is the kind of thing that can really motivate you to get involved in preserving and/or recreating some small piece of it here.

Some China Pix