Attaching the Mongolian loco
Once our train was returned to the station, I and others climbed out of the train to watch the exchange of the Chinese locomotives for a Mongolian loco. We took our photos but failed to notice that the hydrolic steps had been retraced on the passenger cars and all the doors locked. We had visions of being stranded in China without luggage and travel documents.
Our pleadings were answered, the doors opened and the steps lowered on the first car (three back from the loco, don't ask). We climbed aboard, the train was again sealed and we then stood at the station for another hour while Chinese Immigration inspected our documents.
When this was all done, the train crossed into Mongolia where we spent another two hours while we were processed by Mongolian Immigration authorities. They also attached a Mongolian dining car which served only scrambled eggs and didn't open until 7 o'clock.
We left the Mongolian town of Dzamin Ude around 3 in the morning, the power and air conditioning came back on and the lights flickered into action. But for most of us, this was nothing as to having the toilets unlocked.
Attaching the Mongolian loco
Once our train was returned to the station, I and others climbed out of the train to watch the exchange of the Chinese locomotives for a Mongolian loco. We took our photos but failed to notice that the hydrolic steps had been retraced on the passenger cars and all the doors locked. We had visions of being stranded in China without luggage and travel documents.
Our pleadings were answered, the doors opened and the steps lowered on the first car (three back from the loco, don't ask). We climbed aboard, the train was again sealed and we then stood at the station for another hour while Chinese Immigration inspected our documents.
When this was all done, the train crossed into Mongolia where we spent another two hours while we were processed by Mongolian Immigration authorities. They also attached a Mongolian dining car which served only scrambled eggs and didn't open until 7 o'clock.
We left the Mongolian town of Dzamin Ude around 3 in the morning, the power and air conditioning came back on and the lights flickered into action. But for most of us, this was nothing as to having the toilets unlocked.