Not to allow Geopolitical concerns to venture in on our fair hobby but the subject of Chinese steam comes up once in a while and even though I know of no import plans, just in case I seriously hope that before any group might even think of getting a chinese steamer because its easier than rescuing some park engine.. they think about the fact that this third world dictatorship holds our 24 and enslaves its billion. If you had 20-20 hindsight would you buy anything from Japan or Germany in 1938? Maybe all the happy stuff on the front of the Boone Valley Mike was sincere in 1986, but the times they are a changing.

If patriotism doesn't concern you consider getting a poor imitation w/ lowsy appliances. Maybe I have to buy chinese shoes but I'll not spend a dime on anything from the enemy.

Enemy? I 'm not sure, but I don't think we are at war...at least not yet.Just think if it had been a Chinese spyplane over US territory, there would sure be a different tune coming from our gubmint and press.

Anyway, I kinda fail to see the difference between buying a 12" scale Chinese steam lokey and buying a 1/87 or 1/48, or even a 1/32 'lectric one...

To me, at least, a daily running mogul or mike, even if it IS Chinese, is worth 2 Big Boys, Alleghenys or Northerns all dressed up with noplace to go.

I think you're going a bit overboard this early in a diplomatic crisis. I agree that the Chinese Communist government must be kept in check far more diligently than we have in the past few years, but a locomotive that runs is a locomotive. I'd love to see every park engine rebuilt and running, maintained in perfect condition forever, but if the Chinese can build a duplicate NYC Hudson or a PRR T-1 in their shops, well then why not?
If we go to war, I'll change my tune, and I do remember the Tienamen Square massacre, but locos is locos, and politics be damned.

glueck@saturn.caps.maine.edu

I have ridden behind the #142 (Suzie Q 142) when it ran at Essex CT on the valley. I was impressed. It is a very fine product indeed. Later I rode behind it again in Vermont on the Green Mountain out of Bellows Falls with J. David Conrad at the throttle and my good friend Ted Witchman firing. Again I was impressed. The Chinese build a nice locomotive, and it looked right at home in the northeast. It also put on a nice show for us at Steamtowns grand opening. Here again this one engine "wowed em'".
I think it's easy to let our patriotism run away with excessive pondering of political issues that really don't concern the average person.
I'm all for Chinese Steam and Steam parts from China. We need to get them someplace don't we?
I think the average railfan would be surprised to learn just how many all-american made steamers are operating or are dressed up with Chinese parts.
Just my opinion...

Brian


Conway Scenic Railroad
btamper@hotmail.com

For years I have tried to avoid products from China, partly because like most Americans I don't approve of their government or the way they treat their people. But mostly because I would rather buy products made in a place where people get a fair wage for their days work. Of course American made products are preferred, it bothers me that we seem to be losing our manufacturing capability in this country. But when shopping for some products it seems to be getting harder and harder to find one that is NOT made in China, let alone US made. I try to shop around, but sometimes you need something and have to give in. To me this applies as much to steam engines and parts as sneakers; I don't like buying from China, but I do if there is no choice. There aren't many places left that build steamers, most of them are in China. As for parts consider the position of a steam operation with a limited budget who needs parts to operate that season and face two choices; buy parts made in China, or wait two years to have enough money to get new ones fabricated. The current situation is a bad one, but remember that this comes down to China using an oppourtunity that has fallen in their lap to test the Bush administrations resolve to sell weapons to Taiwan. If I had a nonrefundable ticket to China and a trip planned, I would still go, but I would not be planning any new trips. I believe our people will be home soon, China has too much to lose economically if they push us too far. o

northen99@yahoo.com

Thanks for the voice of reason. I also believe this will be resolved shortly because it is very much in everybody's interest to do so.

Does it seem arrogant to anybody else out there that we in the US are trying to impose our viewpoint on human rights on other cultures and peoples?

Dave

lathro19@idt.net

> Thanks for the voice of reason. I also
> believe this will be resolved shortly
> because it is very much in everybody's
> interest to do so.

I agree.

> Does it seem arrogant to anybody else out
> there that we in the US are trying to impose
> our viewpoint on human rights on other
> cultures and peoples?

Lets get off the politics folks, because if we were to start discussing why this question is phrased wrong gets too much off the topic of this web board. Humans have rights; that is what our constitution sez anyway.


Miner Manufacturing

to buy a new Chinese locomotive? I haven't heard anything about that. Are they still able to do so?

JimLundquist55@yahoo.com

Well, Ross Rowland is planning to import several rebuilt used 2-8-2's for his project in Canada. As steamers are phased out all over the country, more are becoming available (probably at cheaper prices) so we may see more of this in the future.

As far as I've read, none of the shops in China are currently producing new steamers. Several SY light 2-8-2's were assembled from parts in the China as recently as the year 2000. See Rob Dickinson's "International Working Steam Locomotives" (link below) for more info.

Tangshan has expressed interest in building more steamers for export, but thus far, there haven't been any orders.

Good Steaming,
Hugh Odom
The Ultimate Steam Page
http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/

> to buy a new Chinese locomotive? I haven't
> heard anything about that. Are they still
> able to do so?


International Working Steam Locomotives
whodom@awod.com