Chinese Industrial Hegang morning

There's something grim but totally fascinating about North Eastern China. Ok, I'm not old enough to remember it (!) but perhaps it's the parallels which can be drawn with the Britain of a hundred years ago.
Many of the heavily industrialised areas had their own large railway systems which linked the various locations such as coal mines, coke works, powerstations and with the China Rail main line.
One such operation was that at Hegang which had about half of it's system electrified, the remainder, various branches and the longer runs, steam operated with a large fleet and comprehensive workshops. Although this brief representation starts with a works Railcar, it's the SY 2-8-2 steam locomotives we see predominantly. Several of these networks sustained passenger traffic, principally for employees of the various establishments served, but well used by the general public too.
This video was recorded in 2005, though in the intervening five years, steam traction has I believe been superseded by Diesels.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Chinese
• Industrial
• Hegang
• North East China
• Industry
• Steam
• Railway
• Railroad
• Locomotive
• Loco
• SY
• SY Class
• 2-8-2
• Mining
• Mine
• Passenger
• Railcar
• Works
• Coal
• Tubs
• Spoil Tip
• Drift Mine