International Railroad Discussion > China's Sandaoling Coal Mine steam locomotive operations end

Sad news on last steam powered freight trains in regular operation:

The World’s Last Regular Steam Freight Railway Has Closed (msn.com)

Article has almost seven minutes of video worth watching. Claims that locomotives will be retained for switching, but really?

I think I've seen those glowing cinders from Chinese steam before.  Is this due to the kind of coal they use?

Thanks!
Oliver Barrett

it's suprising the area doesn;t catch fire with all those cunders falling. Very nice show.
 

Stanley Jackowski
Valrico, FL

acltrainman Wrote:
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> it's suprising the area doesn;t catch fire with
> all those cunders falling. Very nice show.

Probably nothing left to burn.

ts1457 Wrote:
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> acltrainman Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > it's suprising the area doesn;t catch fire with
> > all those cunders falling. Very nice show.
>
> Probably nothing left to burn.

And unlike contemporary American railroading, there is never a problem with trains being delayed left and right by fallen trees every time a storm blows through...

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

Come to think of it, steam operations elsewhere are mostly excursion or heritage trips and would generally not run at night, and glowing cinders would not be noticed in the daytime.

Oliver Barrett

ShoreLineRoute Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think I've seen those glowing cinders from
> Chinese steam before.  Is this due to the kind of
> coal they use?
>
> Thanks!
> Oliver Barrett

ShoreLineRoute Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Come to think of it, steam operations elsewhere
> are mostly excursion or heritage trips and would
> generally not run at night, and glowing cinders
> would not be noticed in the daytime.
>
> Oliver Barrett

I think the amount of glowing cinders is abnormal and is a result of whatever type of spark arrestor being used in the smokebox not being maintained.

I could be wrong.