Hunjiang C2s and driver Nov 1993
It is late November in 1993 and in the North East of China close to the North Korea border snow is falling thick and fast. I am in Hunjiang, which means Not Clear River, since renamed Beishan, a bland, maybe even generic meaning of North Mountain, perhaps in embarrassment as to the rivers actual state. However, back in 1993 it was a steam lovers paradise. Aside from the busy main line in the main valley bottom that used almost exclusively JS class 2-8-2s, if you walked along the power station branch, across the river bridge and into its grounds, continuing uphill almost to the far perimeter of the power station you came across the depot of a steam worked 762mm mineral railway which had line going out to quarrys east and west. But I am here on land clearly not open for public access. So what does the driver make of me, standing there snapping him as he approaches his steed, the tiny drivered 0-8-0 no.659. Will I be shouted at, chased out and will he alert any authorities? Of course not, I am called over and invited into the cab, and out we go along the west branch, although I have to wait at the quarries entrance for his return as he does not want to risk taking me in there.
If you have read this far I will wish you a merry Christmas and to those who have not, a merry Christmas too, may 2020 be good and peace, tolerance and goodwill prevail.
Hunjiang C2s and driver Nov 1993
It is late November in 1993 and in the North East of China close to the North Korea border snow is falling thick and fast. I am in Hunjiang, which means Not Clear River, since renamed Beishan, a bland, maybe even generic meaning of North Mountain, perhaps in embarrassment as to the rivers actual state. However, back in 1993 it was a steam lovers paradise. Aside from the busy main line in the main valley bottom that used almost exclusively JS class 2-8-2s, if you walked along the power station branch, across the river bridge and into its grounds, continuing uphill almost to the far perimeter of the power station you came across the depot of a steam worked 762mm mineral railway which had line going out to quarrys east and west. But I am here on land clearly not open for public access. So what does the driver make of me, standing there snapping him as he approaches his steed, the tiny drivered 0-8-0 no.659. Will I be shouted at, chased out and will he alert any authorities? Of course not, I am called over and invited into the cab, and out we go along the west branch, although I have to wait at the quarries entrance for his return as he does not want to risk taking me in there.
If you have read this far I will wish you a merry Christmas and to those who have not, a merry Christmas too, may 2020 be good and peace, tolerance and goodwill prevail.