TEM7A-0125 with Shakhtinsk coal eastbound by Novodlinskyy. 14th May 2024.
Massive 180 tonne TEM7A-0125 road switcher, a bo+-bo-bo+bo, that is eight axles and eight traction motors powered by a V12 engine developing 2000hp, rolls deep mined coal east bound from Shaktinsking on the industrial lines serving the collieries around Shakhtinsk to the Coal Enrichment plant no.1, a journey of around 20km on lightly laid jointed track, here crossing the R191 road by Novodlinskyy west of Karagandy. The railway, wagons and locomotives are owned by JSC Qarmet to serve the steel making plant at Temirtau. May the 14th 2024.
ТЭМ7А-0125 JSC Qarmet. Новодолинцкий, Караганда, Казахстан. 14/05/2024.
Wait...
We did not wait long.
Straight out of Shaktinsk station, turn right towards the mines.
Stop.
There is a ventilation shaft, beautiful in its way set against the soft grey light.
White building topped by winding gear topped by a red star.
I venture forward and take two pictures.
A black 4x4 stops behind our car.
Big Man gets out.
Questions.
Our answers do not satisfy.
Ochrona is called.
Now we wait....
How long?
We did not count.
The pickup screeches to a halt, three men leap out. One boss two lads. All shouting.
Documents, passports, where are you from?
Aparat, camera, he has it.
Gesturing at me.
I had put it in the boot.
I show them, they say delete.
Big Man leaves satisfied.
Now Ochrona gets chatty.
One chews tiny green balls from a small brown bottle.
I ask what, he says bad, with a grin.
All calmed down but..
We must leave this area.
Oh for that deep mining backdrop.
But down there, below.
There are people who no longer have to wait.
And here is the shaft courtesy of Mr AC:
TEM7A-0125 with Shakhtinsk coal eastbound by Novodlinskyy. 14th May 2024.
Massive 180 tonne TEM7A-0125 road switcher, a bo+-bo-bo+bo, that is eight axles and eight traction motors powered by a V12 engine developing 2000hp, rolls deep mined coal east bound from Shaktinsking on the industrial lines serving the collieries around Shakhtinsk to the Coal Enrichment plant no.1, a journey of around 20km on lightly laid jointed track, here crossing the R191 road by Novodlinskyy west of Karagandy. The railway, wagons and locomotives are owned by JSC Qarmet to serve the steel making plant at Temirtau. May the 14th 2024.
ТЭМ7А-0125 JSC Qarmet. Новодолинцкий, Караганда, Казахстан. 14/05/2024.
Wait...
We did not wait long.
Straight out of Shaktinsk station, turn right towards the mines.
Stop.
There is a ventilation shaft, beautiful in its way set against the soft grey light.
White building topped by winding gear topped by a red star.
I venture forward and take two pictures.
A black 4x4 stops behind our car.
Big Man gets out.
Questions.
Our answers do not satisfy.
Ochrona is called.
Now we wait....
How long?
We did not count.
The pickup screeches to a halt, three men leap out. One boss two lads. All shouting.
Documents, passports, where are you from?
Aparat, camera, he has it.
Gesturing at me.
I had put it in the boot.
I show them, they say delete.
Big Man leaves satisfied.
Now Ochrona gets chatty.
One chews tiny green balls from a small brown bottle.
I ask what, he says bad, with a grin.
All calmed down but..
We must leave this area.
Oh for that deep mining backdrop.
But down there, below.
There are people who no longer have to wait.
And here is the shaft courtesy of Mr AC: