From the Yellow to the Red River

Liujiaxia: towards the gorge of the Yellow River

Steam in the Gorge of the Yellow River

Steam, Diesel and Hong Kong Trams: Southern China and Vietnam

China: 6. – 23.03,2008
China & Vietnam 18.03. – 05.04.2008

Thai Nguyen steelworks, photo: Haratours, Hanoi

photo: Haratour

Most railway enthusiasts wouldn’t believe it, but it’s true: There is still some excellent mountain scenery in China, through which steam operated passenger and freight trains run on a daily basis. China is still the outstanding place for authentic steam trains. On the first part of the trip you’ll see some things that you cannot experience anywhere else in the world:

Kunming - Kaiyuan - Hekou, south of Kaiyuan, photo: Thorge Bockhold

photo: Thorge Bockhold

The second part of the tour is an interesting mixed program which offers cultural moments, superb countryside, steam trains, metre gauge diesel and a inside view in the Vietnamese steelworks of Thai Nguyen. The second part will be more relaxed than the pure photo and video tours, we even add opportunities for shopping in Hong Kong, a feature your spouse or girlfriend will appreciate for sure. Hong Kong also has a delightful tram system and the fascinating Star ferries operating across the beautiful harbour.

The photo opportunities will be wonderful, but unfortunately both tours will have added costs, because we have ordered charter trains for several thousand Pounds. However, the money is a worthwhile investment, as the gorge of the Yellow River is a superb site for exciting railway photography as well as the time we can have such a charter train is limited: as soon as the company switches to diesel such charter events won’t be possible any more.

Through the loess mountains of Baiyin

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Itinerary 

Date

Date

Itinerary

Steam in China

MG, Vietnam & HK

 

06.03.

 

Flight Europe/America – Beijing

07.03.

 

Morning arrival Beijing, connecting flight to Baotou, hotel Baotou

08.03.

 

Visit to the steelworks Baotou, continue by overnight train 1717/1720 to Baiyin, departure 17.28 hrs

09.03.

 

07.10 arrival Baiyin, visit to the industrial line into the loess mountains north of Baiyin, visit to the depot, hotel Baiyin

10.03.

 

Charter bus for linesiding along the mountain line of the industrial railways of Baiyin, hotel Baiyin

11.03.

 

Morning taking pictures of the morning passenger trains into the mountains, continue by charter bus to Liujiaxia, charter train over the spectacular line through the gorge of the Yellow River, hotel Liujiaxia

12.03.

 

Visit to the depot of Liujiaxia, mid morning we’ll go to Lanzhou to board train 1050/1047, departure Lanzhou 12.56 hrs

13.03.

 

Arrival Chengdu at 10.52 hrs, continue by charter bus to Qianwei, on the way visit to the largest laying Buddha in Leshan, hotel Qianwei

14.03.

 

Visit to the narrow gauge railway Shibanxi, hotel Qianwei

15.03.

 

Visit to the narrow gauge railway Shibanxi, hotel Qianwei

16.03.

 

Visit to the narrow gauge railway Shibanxi, hotel Qianwei

17.03.

 

Morning visit to the Shibanxi depot and return by charter bus to Chengdu, continue by overnight train 1098 to Luoyang, departure Chengdu 14.40 hrs

18.03.

 

12.47 arrival Sanmenxia, by charter bus continue to the narrow gauge railway Yinghao, Hotel Mianchi

19.03.

 

Visit to the narrow gauge line Yinghao, evening continue by charter bus to Zhengzhou, hotel Zhengzhou

 

18.03.

Flight Europe/America – Beijing

 

19.03.

Until noon arrival in Beijing, Visit to the Forbidden City in Beijing, continue by overnight train K269, departure Beijing Xi 21.42

 

20.03.

05.19 hrs arrival Zhengzhou, meeting with the other group

20.03.

20.03.

Visit to the narrow gauge line of Xingyang, evening continue to Pingdingshan, hotel Pingdingshan

21.03.

21.03.

Linesiding around Pingdingshan and visit to the depot

22.03.

22.03.

Linesiding around Pingdingshan, Evening by charter bus to Zhengzhou

22.03.

 

By overnight train K180 to Beijing, departure 22.16 hrs

23.03.

 

06.16 arrival in Beijing, if your departure time allows: hotel for having a shower, flight back to Europe/America, arrival Europe in the same evening

 

22.03.

Hotel Zhengzhou

 

23.03.

Morning flight to Kunming, visit to the railway museum, continue by train K166 from Kunming (dep. 18.05 hrs) to Panzhihua, arrival 23.37, hotel Panzhihua

 

24.03.

Visit to public sites around the steelworks near Panzhihua (class SY and diesel locomotives), return to Kunming by overnight train 2647, departure 23.48 hrs

 

25.03.

06.09 hrs arrival Kunming, continue by charter bus to Kebao (Hobaocun) and visit to the metre gauge line with double headed trains on the pass line to Yiliang, mid-morning continue by charter bus to Shilin and visit to the famous Stone Forest near Kunming (linesiding to take pictures of trains on the electrified line, optional: tourist visit to the stone forest), afternoon line siding on the metre gauge railway Kunming – Hanoi between Goujiazi and Dishui and in the Gaoguma gorge section near Dishui, hotel in Kaiyuan

 

26.03.

Charter bus for linesiding along the beautiful metre gauge railway Kunming – Hekou (– Hanoi). Visit to the section Xiaolongtan – Kaiyuan, especially the gorge section Xiaolongtan – Shiliucun, hotel in Kaiyuan

 

27.03.

Linesiding along the metre gauge line south of Kaiyuan, where trains are usually banked by another locomotive, late afternoon continue by bus to Hekou and crossing the border to Vietnam, visa will be issued at the border, hotel Lao Cai

 

28.03.

Charter bus for line siding along the few accessible spots of the metre gauge railway in the section Lao Cai - Bao Ha, evening return to hotel in Lao Cai

 

29.03.

Hard seater LC4 Lao Cai, departure 09.15 hrs to Yen Bai, arrival 15.13 hrs, continue by charter bus to Thai Nguyen (ca. 4 hrs), hotel Thai Nguyen

 

30.03.

Visit to the steelworks Thai Nguyen and pictures of blast furnace area and other parts of the railway system including depot, Watching regular steam trains, evening night pictures of steam locos in the steel works, hotel Thai Nguyen

 

31.03.

07.15 hrs morning charter train with loco class 0-6-0 (1042, 1045 or similar) on the branch line of the steelworks, late morning another visit to the steam activities inside the steel works, afternoon another charter train on the branch line of the steelworks, hotel Thai Nguyen

 

01.04.

07.00 hrs charter freight train with class 0-6-0 and some four freight cars plus guards van from Thai Nguyen to Pho Co (Pho Yen), arrival ca. 10.30 hrs; continue by charter bus to Hanoi, optional short sightseeing tour Hanoi (HoChiMinh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda or take a cycle tour around old quarter street of Hanoi), hotel in Hanoi

 

02.04.

Return flight to Europe/America

 

03.04.

Morning arrival in Europe/America

 

01.04.

Optional: Hong Kong Extension: 17.30 transfer to railway station Hanoi, continue by international (overnight) train Hanoi – Nanning

 

02.04.

Morning arrival Nanning, domestic flight fro Nanning to Guangzhou, continue by high speed train D755 from Guangzhou Dong 14.36 hrs to Hong Kong, arrival 15.28 hrs, hotel in Hong Kong

 

03.04.

Visit to the tramway system of Hong Kong, travelling by tramway, hotel in Hong Kong

 

04.04.

Free morning in Hong Kong or just enjoy a ride with the tram again, afternoon flight back from Hong Kong to Europe/America or optional extension in Hong Kong

 

05.04.

Morning arrival in Europe/America

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Line description

Steam in the Gorge of the Yellow River

Baotou

Baotou still had more than a dozen SYs in service at the end of 2007. The most interesting operations are the blast furnace area shunts (usually tender first), the depot and – of course – the slag tip (chimney first) where hot, red slag will be tipped about every 30 - 60 minutes. Environment protection is almost unknown – so you can see an industrial site that could have been in central Europe some 100 years ago.

Although we have permits to visiting the three key locations: the blast furnace, the depot and slag tip, it takes sometimes half an hour to sort things out. Keep in mind that Baotou is a huge industrial complex and not every security guard has been informed that there is a group of visitors around.

Baiyin is another matter. Beside the industrial places you have the only known line into the loess mountains which is still steam operated. Baiyin is close to the Yellow River and the typically loess mountain countryside is everywhere around. This line offers it all: passenger trains in the best morning light, steep gradients with freight trains struggling up the gradients, and mountain scenery. This is one of the most beautiful lines in China that still sees regular steam service. The little workshop is able to carry out overhauls. We’ll visit it, of course.

Baiyin

Southwest of Lanzhou, a spectacular branch line, operated with JS class 2-8-2s, leads through the gorge of the Yellow River to Liujiaxia. Unfortunately there are no fixed timetable for the freight trains. There is usually one per day, but sometimes none at all. The freight can run any time, and it’s not unlikely that the night shift will run the fright. As the scenery is outstanding and dramatic we have ordered a charter freight train through the gorge with several runpasts. Unfortunately, other tour operators could not resist agreeing to the horribly expensive offer from the new boss of he line, so negotiations for a reasonable price are not going to be successful. Hence the charter train will be one of he most expensive points of the itinerary. As the time for steam is running out, the chances to get any better offers are limited and the line scenery is priceless, we have included this line in our tour. You’ll not be disappointed!

On the way to Shibanxi we’ll stop at what the locals state to be – “the largest reclining Buddha in Asia.” Whatsoever, it is a huge Buddha statue and worth a visit.

Shibanxi (Jiajang Coal Mine): This is the best known narrow gauge railway in southern China, because of its fascinating train operation and beautiful landscape. The first four kilometres are electrified while the remaining very scenic ten miles see steam only. In the middle of the line is a reversal station. Several tunnels, rice paddies, cliffs, lush vegetation and rural villages offer the possibility for plenty of extraordinary pictures.

Shibanxi

There are four pairs of passenger trains every day, three of them during daylight. In addition, on the steam operated part of the line, you may see a pair – if you’re lucky two pairs– of coal trains. These coal trains run on demand. In 2007 there have been between three and twelve freight trains per week. The usual departure time is shortly before or just after the second passenger train in the best morning light. Although there is a very rough road, it’s impossible to chase the trains by bus. So we’ll walk along the line all day. Therefore we use the first train at 7 am to go to the summit station at Xianrenxiao. Travelling by train in the tiny, homemade passenger cars is an unforgettable experience. There is no glass in the windows or any kind of lamps in the wagons, just cheerful and friendly people. This experience alone is worth a visit to Shibanxi. From the summit station we will start to walk to the most exciting sites of this beautiful line. While taking pictures of the bypassing trains you can walk to Bagou, Caiziba, and Mifengyan. To return to our hotel in Qianwei we’ll take the afternoon train to Yuejin, were our bus awaits us. There is no “group pressure”, and after travelling along the line by train you can walk to your favourite position in this peaceful area on your own. The only thing you should keep in mind – do not miss the last passenger train back to our charter bus.

Locomotives are the electric class ZL14-7 and the well-known steam locomotives of class C2.

Shibanxi

There have been several dates announced for the shut down of this line. Recently the management decided to run this line as a tourist attraction. Therefore there is no time to loose if you want to see the real railway without tourist stuff! There might already be one or tourist coaches, which are considered to be ugly to us photographers and videographers. However, so far they have been used only occasionally, most of the passenger trains are still unspoiled by these glass boxes.

March is one of the best months to travel to Shibanxi as the rape is in flower and makes the countryside even more fascinating, even on overcast or rainy days.

Optionally you can stay overnight in the lovely guesthouse of the doctor in Mifengyan. This is where the fascinating reversal station is located.

Yinghao is a busy narrow gauge line that carries coal. The most scenic parts are the loading and unloading facilities as well as the turning triangle and the line to the depot (some 2 km long). In addition, the steep gradients often require a stop to blow up the steam pressure. Just before the main station there is a short tunnel. The cutting in front of the tunnel is another good spot for both photography and video. Last but not least, is the depot itself. Here the engines get everything from running repairs to heavy overhauls. The full site looks like a big repair shop, which is working under military field conditions. It’s full of dumped locos, spare parts and scrap. In dark halls, illuminated by dim, yellow lamps, workers are carrying out repairs and maintenance on the rolling stock. This depot makes a deep impression on every foreign visitor and is worth the visit to this line alone.

Yinghao

There is a possibility that there might be no traffic on the line for a few days. As the depot is working even when the line is not there will be still the main reason for visiting this line.

Xingyang has a big brickworks which operates its own narrow gauge railway to the clay quarry. The line passes an unusual area with deeply eroded valleys. The most interesting spot is a nice arc bridge built from bricks. The bridge spans some large ponds, which give several very good opportunities. If the railway is working, we can see about six pairs of trains. Unfortunately operations are difficult to predict, and there are several reasons for closing down the work for several days at a time. When rain makes the clay to wet, when technical problems occur, or when there are too many piles of unsold bricks around, there may be no traffic. According to the chief of the brickworks, the railway has a more or less safe future until end 2007. After this date even he doesn’t know what will happen. Consider being either one of the last visitors to this fascinating little line or have another day around the busy mining railway system of Pingdingshan.

Xingyang

In mid-2007, Pingdingshan, a mining area, still had five QJs (2-10-2s) in service. Although they got one back fully overhauled in mid-2007, it was said that they want to dieselise the QJ operated line to Yüzhou by November 2007. In any event, it is very likely that they’ll have two of them under steam for stand by and workings to the closer mines. However, there will still be a fleet of around a dozen steam locomotives active in March 2008, mostly JS 2-8-2s. The many coal mines are linked by several lines. Some of them passing the city and going steeply uphill, others are flat and in the countryside, while others offer some good potential. An early morning visit to the depot, when about ten locomotives will be served, is a must. The passenger trains of this system are steam hauled, while among the steam locos there are already five diesels and more are on the horizon. High noon has come to Pingdingshan as well.

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Steam, Diesel and Hong Kong Trams: Southern China and Vietnam

Forbidden City in Beijing

The Forbidden City in Beijing is the palace of the last emperor of China. You can find all details in even the most sketchy guide books, so there is no need to repeat this here.

Xingyang and Pingdingshan please see above.

The railway museum in Kunming hosts a serviceable KD55 steam locomotive (there is another one, although not operational, in the Beijing railway museum). It is not possible to charter this steam loco unless you have close relations with the highest officials of the province (better to the government in Beijing) or huge cases full of money. So we gave this project up.

Panzhihua has a steelworks that still uses some steam locomotives (SY) beside a fleet of diesels. The permission procedure seems to be unclear so we’ll advertise only visits to the various places where we’ll have public road access and the chance to see steam operated trains. But we’re working on the permit and are almost sure to get so we can get inside the steelworks.

Kunming - Kaiyuan - Hekou, south of Xiaolongtan, photo: Thorge Bockhold

photo: Thorge Bockhold

The metre gauge line between Kunming and Hanoi was partly destroyed in its southern sections in China. They stopped the passenger service on the line after the destruction – officially. But there are still some mixed trains and one coach passenger trains on several sections of the line for the locals. The remaining parts of the line still have some very interesting countryside and operational patterns. There are steep inclines which require two locomotives on the freight trains; south of Kaiyuan trains are usually hauled and banked, while between Kebao and Yiliang trains are mostly double headed with the old DFH21 diesels. There are still sections with tunnels, interesting bridges (not the typical boring concrete bridges!), there are gorges and last but not least, the freight traffic is very dense. We’ll visit some of the most interesting parts of the line. You need to walk on several sections (some three kilometres are required to get to the best positions) as there is no road access to the gorges and tunnels. If you like you can also experience a ride on one of the local mixed trains (one of them takes the full day!) and enjoy the outstanding countryside.

in the Xiaolongtan gorge, photo: Florian menius

photo: Florian Menius

The local mixed trains are running in the northern part between Yiliang and Panxi. On the south-western branch line there still exists a short passenger train (at the beginning of 2007) which ran in the morning from Shiping to Baoxin, then all the way from Baoxin via Shiping and Kaiyuan to Xialongtan; in the evening the train returns to Kaiyuan. In the opposite direction the train starts from Kaiyuan to Xiaolongtan and returns all the way via Kaiyuan and Shiping to Baoxin, where the loco loops around and returns with the train to Shiping.

Kunming - Kaiyuan - Hekou, south of Xiaolongtan, photo: Thorge Bockhold

photo: Thorge Bockhold

Most of the traffic is handled by DFH21 diesel locomotives. Only ten new built DF21 diesels are in service. Due to the construction of a standard gauge line from Kunming to the Vietnamese border it is likely that no further DF21 diesel locos will be delivered.

On the Vietnamese side of the metre gauge line to Hanoi we can see both regular passenger and freight trains. We have planned a full day for line-siding before we’ll take the only daylight passenger train (there are several overnight passenger and tourist trains) to enjoy the countryside. The track follows the Song Hong – the Red River.

The steelworks Thai Nguyen is the last site in Vietnam where there are still a few steam locos employed. Usually only one or two of the Chinese-built 0-6-0 locomotives are shunting in the factory and handle the trips to the railway station (some 2 miles). We acquired official permission for entering the steelworks, so we can go inside and see steam at the blast furnace area as well as in the depot. We also have arranged a visit after dusk to experience the industrial site during the gathering darkness. The management of the steelworks assured us they would operate at least two steam locos during our visit (and we’ll pay for a third one if we have more than eleven participants). They have all together six more or less serviceable standard gauge 0-6-0 locomotives. All tracks inside the steelworks are dual track, metre gauge and standard gauge. The second day we’ve chartered a special freight train with an 0-6-0.

A short cultural visit through Hanoi will give us a brief idea about the ancient history of the capital.

Thai Nguyen, photo: Haratour, Hanoi

photo: Haratour

Thai Nguyen steam crane, photo: Haratour, Hanoi

photo: Haratour

Hong Kong – there is no need to describe this vibrant city. The double-deck streetcars are an amazing sight in the busy streets of Hong Kong. We’ll take pictures in the streets of Hong Kong, travel by tram and enjoy the never sleeping city. Take a guide book with you if you don’t like to miss the sight of the town. We can arrange an extended stay for you there. And don’t miss the wonderful Star ferries that criss-cross the vast harbour.

Hong Kong Street Car

Hong Kong Victoria

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photo: Florian Menius

Small Print

On the first part we expect morning temperatures around minus ten degrees Centigrade. Further to the south, in Baiyin and Liujiaxia, temperatures can be around plus five degrees Centigrade in the morning and 15 at noon, while on the second part in southern China and Vietnam you can expect temperatures between plus 12 degrees Centigrade and plus 25, and sometimes even above. Please be prepared for a little cloud or rain, as not all days will be sunny, especially in the Sichuan province and around Hanoi.

You can recharge batteries in all the hotels. An adapter is necessary, sometimes. On overnight trains there are only occasional working power outlets available. The mobile phone service is compatible with the European standard. The coverage in China is amazingly good, in Vietnam reasonable good.

The hotels used will be of medium class. 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 journeys. In such cases 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. Short daytime trains may have to be booked in hard seater class. Hygienic and environmental standards in China and Vietnam often do no conform to European or North American expectations. Carrying some toiletries in your photo bag is hence advisable.

The day train in Vietnam is a local train, which offers hard seats only. The seats may not be very comfortable, but we will be rewarded by exiting views over the Red River.

Single rooms are not available on train rides. Charter buses and trains represent the standard of our host country, which may deviate from European, North American and Australian expectations. While we will endeavour to avoid long walks, some photo positions may require an extra but worthwhile effort.

The first part of the tour (Beijing – Pingdingshan) 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. In the evening we’ll have time for meals that are usually sumptuous. Beverages are not included in the tour price.

The second part of the tour (Kunming, Vietnam, Hong Kong) is designed for the railway enthusiast with a broader view, and includes some cultural sights as well. This doesn’t mean that we’ll not take a focus on excellent photo and video positions, but we’ll not be 100 % focussed on steam trains only.

Yinghao

The charter trains are a major cost factor for the tour. The locomotives in Liujiaxia are highly capable and will be able to haul our train easily. Not so in Vietnam, where the steam loco needs a diesel helper for our charter train. Please keep in mind that we’re scraping the barrel and failures may occur as well as some lines may be closed, temporarily shut down or dieselised before we’ll arrive. We try to offer an alternate program just in case we’ll be affected, but we can’t guarantee anything.

We’ll use public transport in Hong Kong instead of risking to stack in a traffic jam with a charter bus.

You need to arrange your visa for China. Please enquire for a double entrance visa if you want to come on the China/Vietnam trip. The Vietnamese Visa will be issued at the border.

Please bear in mind that accommodation and transportation in China and Vietnam fall short of EU or 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.

Security advise in the Forbidden City in Beijing

On this tour we’ll cover huge distances by train and domestic flights. Taking a good book with you is not a bad idea.

Registration period ends November 30th 2007

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

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Price

Steam in the Gorge of the Yellow River

From 10 participants 

£2,420

China 06. – 23.03.2008

Single room supplement

£235

Steam & MG Diesel in Southern China and Vietnam

From 10 participants

£2,240

China & Vietnam 18.03. – 03.04.2008

Single room supplement

£195

Accompanying female partners discount:

 

minus £210

The complete tour: From the Yellow to the Red River

From 10 participants

£4,080

China & Vietnam 06.03. – 03.04.2008

Single room supplement

£355

Accompanying female partners discount:

 

minus £230

Hong Kong extension: Street Cars and Shopping

From 8 participants

£790

China/Hong Kong 01.04. – 05.04.2008

single room supplement

£105

Vietnam land only from Lao Cai to Hanoi   £720
Vietnam 27.03. - 02.04.2008 single room supplement £70

Minimum number of participants: 10 (except Hong Kong: 8)
Maximum number of participants: 25

Without flight to Beijing/HK (land only): Please subtract £460 from the tour price.

The price includes:

Not included are:

Shibanxi narrow gauge

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