Just after sunrise on October 2, 2005, QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotive no. 7002 leads a westbound freight train up the grade out of Chabuga, Inner Mongolia, China, on the Jitong Railway. This was the first train I saw on the Jitong Line--the first of fifteen I'd see during 12 hours at trackside that day, and they were all steam-powered.
Jitong Railway workers exchange flag waves as a westbound freight train passes a road crossing near Xigou, Inner Mongolia, on October 2, 2005.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train near Xigou, Inner Mongolia, China, on October 2, 2005.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train led by two QJ steam locomotives approaching LIndong, Inner Mongolia, China, though a sweeping curve on October 2, 2005.
Two QJ steam locomotives lead a westbound JItong Railway freight train over the big bridge near Chagganhada on October 2, 2005.
Two QJ steam locomotives pass a semaphore signal near Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China, on October 2, 2005.
Eastbound Jitong Railway freight train rolling through the mountains around Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, on the afternoon of October 2, 2005.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train charging out of Yamenmiao station after meeting an eastbound at sunrise on October 3, 2005.
The gatekeeper's donkey waits at the road crossing in Yamenmiao, Inner Mongolia, China, as the Jitong Railway's morning passenger train approaches on October 3, 2005.
Jitong Railway worker waits as he fills the tender of a QJ steam locomotive at Daban on October 3, 2005.
Crane used to coal steam locomotives at Daban.
Jitong Railway worker in the cab of QJ no. 70730 at Daban.
Two Jitong railwaymen work on the running gear of a QJ steam locomotive at Daban.
Jitong Railway worker takes a quick drink from the hose used to clean locomotive fireboxes at Daban.
Jitong Railway worker swings the water column over the tender of a QJ steam locomotive in Daban.
Jitong Railway worker climbing into the cab of a QJ steam locomotive at sunset in Daban.
Jitong Railway welders prepare new fueling racks in Daban for the diesel locomotives that will replace steam in just two months.
Just after sunrise on October 4, 2005, a short westbound freight train steams though Baomutu, Inner Mongolia, China, on the Jitong Railway.
A farmer works the fields near Lindong as a westbound freight train passes behind him.
A farmer leads his donkey cart over the Jitong Railway near LIndong, Inner Mongolia, China, during the 2005 harvest.
A farmer near Lindong winnows wheat by hand during the 2005 harvest.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train steaming through the windswept fields near Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China.
Jitong Railway freight train sweeps through the s-curves near Chagganhada.
Just before sunset, a westbound Jitong Railway freight train departs Chagganhada.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train heads off into the sunset at Chagganhada.
The switchmen at the east end of Yamenmiao siding lines the signals for the Jitong Railway's eastbound local freight train, following a meet with a westbound freight on an October 2005 morning in Inner Mongolia.
Eastbound Jitong Railway freight train passing farmers winnowing wheat by hand near Xigou, Inner Mongolia, during the 2005 harvest.
Steam engulfs the running gear of a Jitong Railway QJ steam locomotive in October 2005.
A Jitong Railway worker sweeps the station following the departure of the morning local passenger train.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train passing the 700-year-old pagoda in Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China.
Just after sunset in October 2005, an eastbound Jitong Railway freight train pulls into Gulumanhan.
Jitong Railway eastbound freight train departing Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, at twilight in October 2005.
Crescent moon setting behind a pair of Jitong Railway semaphores at Gulumanhan.
Two Jitong Railway workers inside the Gulumanhan station's office on an October night in 2005.
Eastboudn Jitong Railway freight train steaming through the fields past a flock of sheep at Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
Gulumanhan station at dawn.
View out the back of a caboose on a Jitong Railway westbound freight train near Chagganhada.
Jitong Railway morning local passenger train steaming through Gulumanhan at sunrise in October 2005.
A herd of goats waits at the Jitong Railway crossing shanty in Baomutu, Inner, Mongolia, China, while an eastbound freight train passes.
Jitong Railway workers hang new color light signals next to the semaphores at Baomutu, Inner, Mongolia, China, as the sun sets on a fall day in 2005.
The Jitong Railway gatekeeper at Baomutu, Inner Mongolia, China, raises the crossing gates following the passage of a westbound train at twilight.
Jitong Railway switchman at the west end of the Baomutu siding in Inner Mongolia, China, at sunset on an October 2005 evening.
The Jitong Railway's diesel-powered streamlined passenger train passes a crossing shanty in Baomutu, Inner Mongolia, China, beneath the full harvest moon of October 2005.
The Jitong Railway's crossing gatekeeper at Baomutu, Inner Mongolia, China, rests in his shanty on a mild October night in 2005.
The red driving wheels of a QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotive on the Jitong Railway flash by on an eastbound freight train approaching Gulumanhan in October 2005.
The full moon rises over the semaphore signals guarding the Jitong Railway at Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
Moonlight illuminates the water tower on the Jitong Railway at Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, on an October night in 2005. Gulumanhan was a water stop for all westbound train.
The Big Dipper rises above the distant signal at Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, on the Jitong Railway in October 2005.
On a fall morning in Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, a westbound freight train departs behind a pair of 2-10-2 QJ steam locomotives. The switch tender at the west end of the siding waits to inspect the train as it passes.
A westbound Jitong Railway freight train steams away from Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, behind two QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotives in October 2005.
The Gulumanhan station agent watches the passage of an eastbound JItong Railway freight train on an October 2005 morning.
The weathered hands of a broom maker along the Jitong Railway near Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
A woman bundles straw to make brooms along the Jitong Railway in Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005. She and her family were paid 25 cents for each bundle.
The harvest moon rises above an eastbound Jitong Railway freight train near Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
Orion rides high above the west end of Chagganhada siding as an eastbound Jitong Railway freight train passes on an October night in 2005.
Two Jitong Railway QJ steam locomotives depart Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China, on an October morning in 2005.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train crossing the big bridge just east of Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
A crossing gatekeeper along the Jitong Railway near Dariqiga, Inner Mongolia, China, watches from his shanty as a westbound freight train passes behind two QJ steam locomotives in October 2005.
Two Jitong Railway workers stand at attention as the morning passenger train stops at the station at Yamenmiao, Inner Mongolia, China, on an October 2005 morning.
Westbound Jitong Railway freight train climbing the grade out of Tianshan (Chabuga), Inner Mongolia, China, under the light of the full moon in the wee hours of October 21, 2005.
Westbound freight train behind a single QJ steam locomotive charging up the grade out of Tianshan (Chabuga), Inner Mongolia, China, just after sunrise on October 21, 2005.
The Jitong Railway's diesel-powered, streamlined passenger train streaks through Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, on an October night in 2005.
The Jitong Railway's morning passenger train greets the rising sun on the Inner Mongolian grasslands near Gulumanhan in October 2005.
The rising sun silhouettes a crossing gatekeeper on the Jitong Railway near Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
Eastbound Jitong Railway freight train approaching Baomutu, Inner Mongolia, China, as twilight descends on a cloudy day in October 2005.
Steam replaces diesel on the Jitong Railway's morning passenger train at Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in the wee hours of a fall day in 2005.
The Jitong Railway's morning passenger train departs Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in October 2005.
An eastbound Jitong Railway freight train departs Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, behind a single QJ steam locomotive in October 2005.
Lights from an arriving westbound train silhouette the switch tender and shanty in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, on a fall night in 2005.
The morning sun casts a long shadow of two Jitong Railway QJ steam locomotives departing Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in the fall of 2005.
Viewed from a hill at the brickworks just east of the city, an eastbound Jitong Railway freight train departs Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
Jitong Railway trackworkers in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China.
Two young railway workers at the Jitong yard in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in fall 2005.
The engineer and two fireman of Jitong Railway QJ no. 7119 look back from their cab prior to departing Daban with an eastbound freight train in November 2005.
A single QJ steam locomotive leads an eastbound Jitong Railway freight train out of Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, on a November night in 2005.
Steam replaces diesel on the Jitong Railway in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005. Steam operations ended the following month.
On a fall night in 2005, the Jitong Railway's streamlined diesel passenger train passes a rural road crossing near Gulumanhan, Inner Mongolia, China.
The rising sun silhouettes bare trees and two Jitong Railway QJ steam locomotives in November 2005.
A Jitong Railway westbound freight train passes a herd of cattle in Baomutu, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
A single QJ steam locomotive leads a westbound Jitong Railway freight train across the tall viaduct near Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China, at dawn of a November day in 2005.
A young Jitong Railway workers fills the tender of a QJ steam locomotive in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
Detail showing the eccentric crank of a QJ steam locomotive on the Jitong Railway at Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
The Jitong Railway ready tracks in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, are filled with QJ steam locomotives for several eastbound freight trains on November morning in 2005.
At twilight on a November day in 2005, a Jitong Railway freight train heads west near Chagganhada, Inner Mongolia, China.
Two QJ steam locomotives lead a Jitong Railway freight train out of Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, at sunset on a November day in 2005. Workers are busier extending the tracks of the Daban yard to accommodate the longer trains that will result when diesels takeover in the following month.
Steam from an eastbound freight train curls around the 700-year-old pagoda in Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, on a November morning in 2005.
Two QJ steam locomotives lead a westbound freight train into Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, on a clear day in November 2005.
Two QJ steam locomotives lead a westbound Jitong Railway freight train through a sweeping curve in the mountains just east of Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
Two QJ steam locomotives lead a westbound Jitong Railway freight train into Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
Steam shrouds a westbound QJ steam locomotive approaching Lindong.
As the sun sets in Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, an eastbound freight train pulls into the siding.
The Jitong Railway's morning passenger train departs Lindong at dawn in November 2005.
A westbound Jitong Railway freight train approaches Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, on a hazy November morning in 2005.
Two QJ steam locomotives lead a Jitong Railway westbound freight train through a sweeping curve just outside of Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
A worker loads a bag of rice into a boxcar in Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
The setting sun outlines the pagoda and an eastbound Jitong Railway freight train at Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
A westbound JItong Railway freight train sweeps through a curve near Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, by the light of the full moon in November 2005.
Jitong Railway workers repair the main line just east of Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, in 2005.
Jitong Railway worker at Tianshan (Chabuga), Inner Mongolia, China, as the sun sets in November 2005.
The Jitong Railway's westbound local passenger train charges up the grade west of Tianshan, Inner Mongolia, China, by the light of the full moon in November 2005.
At dawn of a November day in 2005, the Jitong Railway's eastbound local passenger train steams through the fields approaching Tianshan, Inner Mongolia, China.
The full moon rises over the Jitong Railway's Chabuga engine terminal at Tianshan, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
A westbound Jitong Railway freight train charges up the grade west of Tianshan, Inner Mongolia, China, on a moonlit night in November 2005. The orange glow on the steam comes from the open doors of the firebox as the fireman adds another shovel full of coal.
The morning sun silhouettes the Jitong Railway's bridge at Reshui, Inner Mongolia, China, on a November 2005 morning as a westbound passenger special crosses.
Regular steam operations on the Jitong Railway over Jinpeng Pass in Inner Mongolia ended in spring 2005, but a steam passenger special crossed the pass in November of that same year, just a month before all steam operations ceased.
Regular steam operations on the Jitong Railway over Jinpeng Pass in Inner Mongolia ended in spring 2005, but a steam passenger special crossed the pass in November of that same year, just a month before all steam operations ceased.
Railroad photographers flock to a steam-powered passenger special crossing Inner Mongolia's Jingpeng Pass on the Jitong Railway in November 2005.
Jitong Railway passenger special crossing the viaduct at Simingyi on Inner Mongolia's Jingpeng Pass in November 2005.
Westbound, diesel-powered freight train meeting an eastbound, steam-powered passenger special at the summit of Jingpeng Pass in November 2005.
After meeting a freight train, a steam-powered passenger special pulls onto the Jitong Railway main line at Jingpeng Pass on a November afternoon in 2005.
After meeting a freight train, a steam-powered passenger special departs Jingpeng Pass on a November afternoon in 2005.
Jitong Railway workers lay rail for a new yard track in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
Jitong Railway workers clean the firebox of a QJ steam locomotive in Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005.
Jitong Railway QJ steam locomotive no. 7143 receives a load of coal at Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, in November 2005, as several workers look on.
Jitong Railway worker and QJ steam locomotive at Daban in November 2005.
Jitong Railway workers in the Daban ashpit in November 2005.
Jitong Railway's eastbound passenger train departs Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, under the light of the moon in the wee hours of a November 2005 morning.
Two Jitong Railway QJ steam locomotives lead an eastbound freight train out of Daban, Inner Mongolia, China, just after sunrise on a November 2005 morning.
The evening passenger train arrives at the Jitong Railway station in Lindong, Inner Mongolia, China, on a November 2005 evening.
The conductor of a westbound Jitong Railway freight train relaxes in his caboose during the run from Lindong to Daban in November 2005.