The Jitong Railway in Inner Mongolia became famous world wide as probably the last long steam operated main line in the world. It's fame was driven by the spectacular scenery, the long freights and the almost ubiquitous double heading by massive QJ 2-10-2s.

The section of the Jitong Railway between Daban and Haoloku included the famous 'Jingpeng Pass' - a place of pilgrimage to watch the massive QJs fighting the gradients with huge trains.

Sadly I got to the Jitong Railway a little too late.

By March 2005 steam was pretty much confined to the Daban to Chabuga section of the line. Having said that, it was still 155km of main line through pretty spectacular countryside. It included steam worked passenger services, and of course massive freight trains.

I still remember the first time I walked into Chabuga station, and being gobsmacked by the stabling point packed with QJs. My jaw just dropped open in amazement.

We even travelled on the train between Chabuga and Lindong – a wonderful experience.  I spent the greater part of the journey leaning out from the back of the train, watching the huge QJ and its train snaking through the countryside. 

We spent a happy few days chasing the freights up and down the line, followed by a visit to Daban. Wandering around the shed it took me back almost 40 years to wandering round Kingmoor and Carnforth.

Sadly it was all over very soon after, so no chance of a return visit. But the memory of those huge locos and their huge trains was burned into my soul.

Never to be repeated, and I’m so glad I didn’t miss it.

Going back through these pictures brings back so many memories. 

Freezing on top of hills waiting for trains to come. 

The food at the ‘Lindong Hilton’.  The cockroaches at the ‘Lindong Hilton’. 

There may have been hardships – but it was worth every moment.

See the updated the Jitong Album including the new ‘mined’ material.