The Limestone Railway.
To the south west of Beijing was the Dahuichang Limestone Railway. Always a good place to visit at either the beginning or end of a 'gricing' trip if you'd some time to kill. The line was operated by the ubiquitous C2 class 0-8-0 tender engines found at various locations throughout the country, but the principal difference was that this operation was double track. The small but chunky locos waddled their way from quarry to works with lengthy trains of tiny skip type wagons. The savvy crews became wise to the aspirations of visiting enthusiasts and it wasn't unknown at the end of a shift when a loco was being disposed, for it to be put back into steam allowing impromptu drive a train sessions ... for a small fee of course. Sadly like all good things, it came to an end and the line closed shortly after the above picture was taken in 2003.
The Limestone Railway.
To the south west of Beijing was the Dahuichang Limestone Railway. Always a good place to visit at either the beginning or end of a 'gricing' trip if you'd some time to kill. The line was operated by the ubiquitous C2 class 0-8-0 tender engines found at various locations throughout the country, but the principal difference was that this operation was double track. The small but chunky locos waddled their way from quarry to works with lengthy trains of tiny skip type wagons. The savvy crews became wise to the aspirations of visiting enthusiasts and it wasn't unknown at the end of a shift when a loco was being disposed, for it to be put back into steam allowing impromptu drive a train sessions ... for a small fee of course. Sadly like all good things, it came to an end and the line closed shortly after the above picture was taken in 2003.