Late Autumn for Steam

China: Forestry line Huanan: 18.10. - 24.10.2009
Autumn Colours in North Eastern China: 23.10. - 06.11.2009

Huanan in autum colours

The motto for our tour was the same last year. But what a change since then! Former steam locations like Baotou or Baiyin are dieselised now, the last QJ will probably quit service by the end of 2009. However, most  railway enthusiasts thought everything was already over  in 2008 or even in 2006. For sure - in 2010 many enthusiasts will look back again and think what a wonderful steam year 2009 was! One thing’s for sure, the number of locations worth the journey is limited and steam is fading out. But what a sunset of steam! If you don‘t leave your armchair now you’ll miss the last real steam spectacular. It’s real, authentic, revenue earning, daily use of steam.

This tour is designed by the desires of travellers who have never been to China as well as for those who have been several times to visit the last strongholds of steam. It’s made to inhale steam at its best. To see supershine locomotives as well as filthy coal mine locos, to see shunters with a few wagons as well as locomotives struggling on steep gradients. We’ll still see the regular steam passenger as well as the steam hauled heavy freight train. Besides the industrial backdrops, we’ll find a lot of open countryside on our way which give the best opportunities for amazing shots.

Itinerary

Date

Itinerary

18.10.

Flight to Beijing

19.10.

Morning arrival in Beijing, continue by flight CA 1611 to Haerbin 16.05 - 17.45 hrs, charter bus to the railway station, continue by overnight train to Jiamusi 4137, departure Haerbin 20.03 hrs

20.10.

05.10 hrs arrival in Jiamusi and continue by charter bus to Huanan, linesiding along the fantastic line at Huanan (class C2), hotel in Huanan

21.10.

Linesiding along the mountain section of the narrow gauge line at Huanan, we’ll spend the night in private houses around Lixin (if you want you can return to the hotel in Huanan)

22.10.

Another day of linesiding along the mountain section of the narrow gauge line at Huanan, we’ll spend the night in private houses around Lixin (if you want you can return to the hotel in Huanan)

23.10.

Line siding in Huanan, hotel in Huanan

24.10.

Linesiding along the section Huanan – Xiahua. In the evening we’ll continue to Jixi, Hotel Jixi

23.10.

Flight to Beijing

24.10.

Morning arrival in Beijing, domestic flight CA 1611 to Haerbin 16.05 - 17.45 hrs, continue by charter bus to Haerbin Dong, by overnight train N75 to Jixi, departure 21.09

25.10.

06.33 hrs arrival Jixi, Visit to the mine system of Didao, hotel in Jixi

26.10.

Visit to the mine system of Hengshan, hotel in Jixi

27.10.

Visit to the mine systems of Lishu/Xifeng, hotel in Jixi

28.10.

Visit to the mine systems of Donghaikuang and Didao, overnight train 2018 Mudanjiang - Shenyang, departure 16.40 hrs

29.10.

Arrival Tieling 04.36 hrs, continue by charter bus to Diaobingshan (class SY) and linesiding around Diaobingshan, Hotel Diaobingshan

30.10.

Linesiding around Diaobingshan, late afternoon continue by charter bus to Nanpiao, hotel Xiamiaozi

31.10.

Linesiding around the coal mines lines of Nanpiao (class SY), hotel in Xiamiaozi

01.11.

Linesiding around the coal mines lines of Nanpiao, hotel in Xiamiaozi

02.11.

Linesiding around the coal mines lines of Nanpiao, evening continue by charter bus to Beipiao, hotel Beipiao

03.11.

Visit to the coal mine lines around Beipiao (class SY). In the evening we’ll continue to our hotel in Chifeng

04.11.

Charter bus to Pingzhuang (class SY), linesiding on the coal mine line, hotel Chifeng

05.11.

Charter bus to Yuanbaoshan and linesiding (class JS), late afternoon continue by charter bus to Chifeng, overnight train 2560, departure 21.08 hrs

06.11.

06.00 hrs arrival in Beijing, charter bus to the airport and return flight, arrival in Europe in the same evening

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Line description

First of all, we are at the edge of a steam free age. So some of the locations are a shadow of their former self only, but still worth a visit. However, we can’t rule out that some of the lines on the list may have changed to diesel before we arrive. Information is from winter 2008, months before we go to these sites. There is not always a substitute nearby if a line is dieselised or closed. However, the longer you wait the more risky such a tour gets!

Huanan in autumn – a fairy tale! There are steam hauled and banked trains through a mountainous landscape, nights when you can hear the leading locomotive and the banker for half an hour, a flat line which allows sunrise and sunset shots, vivid colours of the trees in the mountains, chilly mornings with long steam exhaust above the train, farmers in the fields harvesting yellow and green pumpkins and so on, and so on. It’s an endless story if you want to hear why you can spend weeks and months there. Yes, there is a risk that the line will not be running for a variety of reasons but when it’s operating, it’s among the best narrow gauge lines in the world. Where have you regular steam hauled and banked trains on narrow gauge? Nowhere! Except here, in Huanan.

Please read the small print about the accommodation there. It’s another reason to go there. I can’t remember having ever seen a tourist brochure which would have offered that deep an insight in the real life of the locals. It’s quite an experience.

The forestry line of Huanan operates about six months a year only. However, chances are good that October is a month which sees steam trains on this beautiful line.

Jixi

Jixi is another amazing location for videographers and photographers. There are several different mine systems, all have their own fleet of locomotives and their own regime of operation. The system in Chengzihe will be electrified by October 2009, but the remaining systems still offer plenty of steam activities.

You’ll see rural countryside with fields and farm houses, mines, washeries, steep gradients, pink mines, brick mines, spoil dumps, stabling points, a long bridge, villages with rails going through and so on. Much action is going on here and there, it’ll not get boring even over so many days. Some photo spots require patience. Information from the control offices is often inaccurate. They change their plans just after you’ve asked them.

Diaobingshan

The coal mine system at Diaobingshan (formerly Tiefa) was dieselised in 2004/2005 for freight service. Fortunately most of the passenger trains remain steam hauled. According to highly ranked officials they’ll keep their steam locos running for at least another three years. A diesel hauled passenger train would be at least twice as expensive as a steam hauled service. On the four lines there are some 15 steam hauled passenger trains a day, sometimes with several departures within a few minutes of each other. So this system is still worth a visit with some very exciting action and photo locations.

The most scenic part of the system is the line from Diaobingshan (the operational centre) to Faku. Trains pass through a tunnel on this line. As they have neither a turntable nor use their wye, locomotives run tender first in one direction and chimney first the other. It’s unpredictable which trains will be tender and which ones chimney first but we have our contacts to find out. Visits to the depot and the stabling point are planned as well. Diaobingshan’s SYs are nicely maintained and include two 1999 built engines.

Nanpiao- Huangjia

Nanpiao is still very rewarding because the countryside is beautiful (hills and bridges), the trains are nice (green passenger coaches and sometimes wooden coal cars), the gradients are remarkably steep and the people are friendly. Even if some people think it’s not worth going there when there’s just one locomotive in service, I can assure you, it is well worth spending more than a single day here. Have a look at the gallery from January 2009, there was just one loco in service for two days and a second the third day. Needless to say we made many more shots, especially of chimney first trains.

Beipiao

On our way to a much more busy system we’ll pass by Beipiao. The line is 100% steam operated but traffic is erratic and unpredictable. With a hired guide from the railways we are in permanent contact with the control office which improves the chance of us knowing what’s going on. The line is some 30km long and offers some nice spots. The countryside is hilly.

The depot is well worth a visit because they do their own overhauls. We have enquired and paid a permit to visit the workshop too.

Pingzhuang

Not many enthusiasts have been to Pingzhuang because there’s been better action nearby – the famous Jingpeng pass. Those who have been here in earlier years could have seen the last KD6 (2-8-0) in service, which was sold to Tiefa a couple of years ago where it is now preserved (but not serviceable any more). However, with the decline of steam, it was “discovered“ that Pingzhuang is well worth a visit. It’s not only their fully deflectored SY, they have a line to underground mines which offers, at least in the colourful autumn, some nice, rural line shots. On two major gradients on this line locomotives have to work hard. The washery and the depot are almost always busy.

Most of the trains into the open cast mine (so far there is no official permit to visit this site available although the author got one in 1995) are hauled by electric locomotives. Only works trains are steam hauled. We may be able to take a look from a corner down into the pit.

Yuanbaoshan

Beside the new diesels in Yuanbaoshan, there have survived a few of their very clean JS class 2-8-2s. These engines carry big smoke deflectors which make them exceptionally attractive. Usually the diesels cover most of the trains but when you have contacts in the area you are usually able to “arrange” something. Last time we managed to bring back the mixed train to steam and this is our goal for this time as well. It’s not possible to guarantee anything but the chances are good that we’ll see some steam hauled trains.

On the line to the northern mines there is a steep gradient (and a cement factory in the backdrop). There is no fixed timetable and the trains run on demand. We need to keep in touch with the control office to get information about train movements in time.

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Small print

The tour was planned in February 2009. Although it’s only a few months before we go to China, it’s not certain that all lines will still have steam. In the event that one line is dieselised before we arrive, we will make different arrangements to see as much steam as possible.

Diaobingshan

We expect the lowest morning temperatures to be a few degrees below zero degrees Centigrade (about 20 degrees F) in the far north while afternoon temperatures can still reach more than 15 degrees Centigrade. In Beijing temperatures may exceed even 20°C (70 degrees F). However, be prepared for much lower temperatures if the winter arrives early this year. The voltage in China is 220 Volts, 50 Hertz. Sometimes you need an adapter for the power outlets. China uses the European mobile phone (GSM) standard.

This tour is designed for both dedicated photographers and video filmmakers. Our philosophy is to provide opportunities to get that perfect sunrise shot rather than a time consuming 5-star breakfast buffet. On occasions lunch will be served as a packed meal. Beverages are not included in the tour price.

Hotels, charter buses and trains represent the standard of our host country, which deviates from European and American expectations. While we will endeavour to avoid long walks, some photo positions may require an extra but worthwhile effort.

Diaobingshan

The hotels used will be of medium class, but in remote areas sometimes they are more basic. We offer a unique opportunity in Lixin (Huanan). If you can stand the lack of comfort, you can sleep in one of the private houses around there. To give such a room type a rating, we’ve extended the category system of how to rate hotel’s service and comfort to the bottom end. Zero stars would be too good. The accommodation in Lixin on the Huanan system is another matter. There are facilities outside but they can hardly be recommended. Better to go into the forest! If you ask somebody about washing your hands he would point to a bowl with some water in – sometimes used by several others before. If you want something clean to wash in, you have to ask for fresh water or do it as the locals do – go to the river! The accommodation and the bedding can hardly be described as clean. So you should bring a towel to put under your head or a light linen sleeping bag or sheet. With this equipment you can easily stand one night in circumstances that the locals have to use all their lives. The accommodation in Lixin is rated by us as three black holes. By the way, from four black holes onwards you would have to share your bed with small animals you might not appreciate. But for sure, this category is not on offer on FarRail trips. More seriously, it is very basic but acceptable for most travellers and the rewards of being so close to the railway are wonderful. We’ll sleep on Kangs which are sleeping platforms with a built in stove, so they are warm and quite comfortable. You’ll get some covers to put on the stove to soften it a bit. Most of the participants on other trips who have used this kind of a bed have been really surprised how well they’ve slept! All who have spent a night in Lixin on past trips have rated this experience very highly. No one will remember another faceless three star hotel in a city, but when you’re staying in the total tranquillity of the forests around Lixin, sleeping on a well heated stove, and a train sets off to the summit, you can hear the two locomotives for almost half an hour, climbing up the hill. On a bright, starry night it’s a memorable experience. If you are uncomfortable with the private houses in Lixin we can arrange the hotel in Huanan for you instead.

Lixin cooking

Lixin

Getting to Lixin requires a walk of some six miles (if you take the shortcut, otherwise some 7.5 miles). It’s possible to hire an ox cart or a motor bike but this is not offered here. We can sort it out on the spot to your own requirements. It’s necessary to warn you about the risks of taking a motorbike. It’s also sometimes difficult to avoid spoiling the shots of other photographers. However, if you want, our guide will not only arrange the bikes, he’ll also bargain the price down for you to the local level.

The train rides are booked in soft sleeper class (four berth compartments). As the reservation system in China is a typical quota system where the station of origin typically gets an allotment of 50% of the available tickets, it is not guaranteed that we can get soft sleeper tickets for all our rides. In such a case we’ll use hard sleeper class which, however, is not as hard as the name suggests. Hard sleeper compartments are open and normally comprise six berths. The calculation of the tour was made with 33% hard sleeper (for the overnight journeys) as it is usually impossible to always get soft sleeper compartments for all our train rides.

Hygienic and environmental standards in China do not conform to European or American expectations. Carrying some toiletries in your photo bag is hence advisable. Please bear in mind that accommodation and transport in China falls short of EU/US safety standards. Always use common sense when crossing roads and railway tracks. FarRail Tours cannot be held responsible and will not accept any liability whatsoever in the case of any accident or damage. We suggest you take out a comprehensive overseas accident and health insurance policy.

Registration period expires June 18th, 2009

Later registrations will be accepted if flights and hotels are still available. If you’re not sure whether you can participate or not, please let us know your interest well in advance so that we can hold a place for you.

Nanpiao

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Price

China
Huanan & Late Autumn for Steam 10 to 25 participants £4,060
18.10.2009 – 06.11.2009 Single room surcharge £270
Registration Deadline: 18.07.2009
Foresty Line Huanan 9 to 25 participants £980
18.10.2009 – 24.10.2009 5 to 8 participants £1,140
  Single room surcharge £70
Registration Deadline: 18.07.2009
Late Autumn for Steam 11 to 25 participants £3,370
23.10.2009 – 06.11.2009 8 to 10 participants £3,770
  Single room surcharge £200
Registration Deadline: 18.07.2009

For land only bookings please deduct £520.

Minimum number of participants: 8
Minimum number of participants Huanan: 5
Maximum number of participants: 25

The price includes:

Not included are:

DISCLAIMER

As a service to our UK-based clients FarRail Tours accepts and will continue to accept payments made out in Pound Sterling until further notice. However, please note that from January 28, 2009, all prices quoted in Pound Sterling are indicative only and are subject to change without prior notice. This measure was taken by FarRail Tours due to the unprecedented volatility in the international foreign exchange markets and its impact on the valuation of the Pound Sterling versus other major currencies, namely the Euro as FarRail Tours' accounting currency.

Jixi

JS in Yuanbaoshan

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