AAPPL SPOTLIGHT

China was the last country in the world to build steam locomotives. The final main line engines emerged from Datong workshops in December 1988 and production of steam locomotives for industrial use continued intermittently until September 1999.

From over 4,000 steam locos in service on China Rail, the state-run national railway system at the beginning of 1996, the numbers dropped to single figures by the end of 2002. The final few were withdrawn in 2003 making China the world’s last country to use steam on its main lines. The Chinese authorities wanted to see the last evidence of steam eradicated by the time of the 2008 Olympics.

National Geographic-quality photography accompanied by entertaining tales of the problems of travelling in China. Definitely not just for the steam enthusiast!