Ten years ago I uploaded to YouTube a few short videos shot in China in November 2000. I have re-edited the video and up loaded with longer sequences and material missing from previous uploads

The JiTong line in Inner Mongolia was opened in 1996 and discovered shortly after by the French photographer Julien Blanc. It was dieselised by 2005. The 943km, standard gauge line runs from Tongliao in the east to Jining in the west. About half way along it crosses the spectacular Jingpeng Pass with a ruling gradient of 1/80. It has seven tunnels, two large loops and several bridges and viaducts. From the hills above the town of Reshui it was possible to see the train for more than forty minutes as it passes the small town on three levels. Most trains over the pass had a double headed pair of QJ class 2-10-2 steam locomotives in charge, hauling a maximum of 2300 tonnes