International Railroad Discussion > Chinese Train

Here is my train from Kashgar to Hotan last week.
This is in Xinjiang Province in the far west of China – on the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan.
 

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Very interesting.  Thanks for posting.
ALLEN

Here's a little more information.

This route is across the southern part of the Taklamakan Desert - the "Desert of Death" from the old Silk-Road days.

My original train (with soft sleeper) was cancelled and this was the next available train.  Unfortunately the soft sleepers were sold out so I went with a "hard" sleeper.

The odd thing about this train is the amount of sand that accumulates in every corner.  The windows are sealed, but the blowing sand from the desert comes in through the vestibules, restrooms, static ventilators, etc.  Everything becomes covered in grit.

Otherwise a pretty typical passenger train in China.

What did you think of Kashgar?

Kashgar is a great place to explore!   This was my second visit in two years.

I just spent about 2 weeks in Xinjiang with trips to Karakul Lake (at almost 12,000 feet), Yarkant (Shache), Hotan (Hetian) and Urumqi.

One of my favorite places to visit in China!

VintageMac

Did you visit the JS steam locos at the Sandaoling coal mine? 

Xinjiang Province is very large.

From Kashgar to the mines is about 1,200 miles.