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Steam in Fuxin will finish by the end of June 2016. Hence we can't run our tour as planned. Instead we offer a final visit to Sandaoling as an extension to our tour to North Korea, starting December 4th and finishing in Beijing December 12th. The itinerary can be found in the North Korea program.
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The dinosaurs of the age of industrialisation are almost extinct. But there are two water holes left:
Both recent winter tours to China which I’ve considered to be the last, turned out to be extremely successful, especially from the photographic point of view. It’s amazing what the dusk of steam can still produce for memorable moments and grandiose video sequences. Neither recent winter tour included a proper winter, at least to northern Chinese standards. Hence we’ll offer it again, the -
Yes, that’s exactly what it is. Our tour will cover all the remaining steam operations that are worth visiting in the last, but fading empire of steam,
I won’t say anything about the last tour to China anymore, the last steam is still so good that it’s likely I’ll continue to offer these places until diesels have taken over or the last track has been lifted, which is the close future of
No matter whether you’re a newcomer to steam in
Please find the new program in the North Korea itinerary.
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Date |
Itinerary |
03.12. |
Flight to Beijing |
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05.12. |
Morning flight from Beijing T3 to Hami (CA1269 08.55 12.50 hrs), charter bus to |
06.12. |
A full day dedicated to the uphill thrashing coal trains out of the open cast pit of |
07.12. |
Today we’ll focus on the unloading point of |
08.12. |
Another visit to |
09.12. |
The best location for genuine steam in the world: |
11.12. |
Time to say good by to the open cast mine of |
12.12. |
By hotel airport shuttle bus to the airport and return flight home, arrival in Europe in the same evening |
First of all, we are at the edge of a steam-free age, we can’t rule out that some of the lines on the list may have changed to diesel locomotives before we arrive or even closed down completely. The itinerary is based on information from January 2016, a year before we go to these sites. There is no substitute if a line is dieselised or closed. No guarantees, and virtually no refunds are possible. But: we’ll, as usual, make the best out of the opportunities and change arrangements to see as much steam as possible.
All coal trains from the loading facilities deep in the pit need to climb out of the open cast mine to reach the unloading point. This is an almost 3 miles thrash for the heavy trains. In the best case you can witness this spectacle about every 20 minutes to half an hour. Sometimes there is a gap of up to four hours, but then it starts again! Most, in the best case, of the coal trains are hauled chimney first out of the pit.
The pushed trains in the open cast pit are “push-pull” trains with a small signal cabin built on the platform of the last wagon of each train. With a semaphore on the roof of these “cabooses” the loco driver gets the signal forward. This is an unusual operation pattern in China and well worth photographing. Xibolizhan is now an almost deserted station which sees occasionally a diesel train to the new mine only.
Sunsets in
A visit to the workshop is, again, possible, but the lower levels in the pit are not permitted any more. In the open cast mine there are several cameras, so an unauthorised visit is not recommended either. But we’re allowed to walk down to the first station after the loading point. On this section, from the unloading point to the first station inside the pit, you can take dozens of good shots. Conclusion: still the greatest steam show on earth.
In early 2016 Fuxin had an operation of more than half a dozen SYs with nine in steam (one of them only standby). Several diesels are in use as well. There are very interesting shots with grim industrial and mine backdrops possible. The daily line up at the shift change is a sight in itself. Many of the small houses along the lines have been demolished and replaced by concrete apartment blocks now but there are still many positions left which are worth pointing the camera at. Small and larger coal mines and new apartment blocks next to the line predominate in the railway area. A level crossing just at the stabling point offers plenty of opportunities with road traffic on two, three and four wheels as well, while the little depot and the tidy workshop are really good and rare these days.
Fuxin in 2017 will be just a glimpse of what it has been, but even this little part is such a powerful playground for photographers and video film makers that there is hardly any competition from Europe. The density of possible exciting industrial shots per square inch is similar to what you can find in Europe per square mile, in the best case!
The centres of steam operation which are the stabling point, the depot and the workshop require that we pay for a permit. The allowed stay is, unfortunately, limited, especially in their workshop. However, one hour is a good while for capturing plenty of good stuff.
We thought about flights to Urumqi/Wulumuqi when flying in from Europe. But these flights are infrequent from Moscow, Istanbul, Astana or St. Petersburg. The other problem is the connection to Hami, there are daily flights from Beijing and some from Xi’an, but not from Urumqi. In addition, the flights to Beijing have very competitive prices in the winter season, something you can hardly find to Urumqi. Hence we decided to fly to Beijing and then use domestic Air China flights.
The tour was planned in January 2016. Hence it’s not certain that all lines will still have steam. In the unlikely case that one line is dieselised or closed before we arrive, we will make different arrangements to see as much steam as possible.
We expect a morning temperature around minus ten to minus 20 degrees Centigrade in the north and up to zero degrees Centigrade in the western part of China. The photo equipment usually has no problems with these temperatures, it’s only the batteries. When not using them you should pack them in a warm place. We can warm up in our charter bus any time, so it’s not too difficult to stand the hard winter with the right clothing. The recent winters have been very mild during our stay in China, afternoon temperatures up to some eight degrees above zero are possible as well.
The voltage in China is 220 Volts, 50 Hz. You’ll need an adaptor for the power outlets.
This tour is designed for both dedicated photographers and video film makers. Our philosophy is to provide opportunities to get that perfect sunrise shot rather than a time consuming 5-star breakfast buffet. Breakfast and lunch may be served as a packed meal. Dinner is planned to be a proper (Chinese) meal. Times for meals can vary. Beverages are not included in the tour price.
We’re planning to do some night shots. Please take an appropriate tripod with you. Yes, even in the digital age a tripod does help a lot when it comes to tricky light situations!
Hotels, charter buses and trains represent the standard of our host country, which may deviate from European or North American expectations. While we will endeavour to avoid long walks, some photo positions may require an extra but worthwhile effort.
The hotels used will be of medium class but in remote areas, i.e.
The overnight train rides are booked in soft sleeper class (four berth compartments). It is not guaranteed that we can get soft sleeper tickets, but it’s very likely. In an unusual 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. Single bed compartments are not available on overnight train rides.
Hygienic and environmental standards in
Please check the prices given in the North Korea itinerary.
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China | ||
Winter Steam Spectacle: Sandaoling For a Very Last Time | 12 to 25 participants | £2,460 |
03.12.2016 12.12.2016 | 6 to 11 participants | £2,770 |
Single room surcharge | £245 | |
Registration Deadline: 25.08.2016 This is the former China tour, now an extension to North Korea. |
The price includes:
Not included are:
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