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Franco Costi and poppies flowers. I have to combine it at this fine, quiet spring time morning. 741 120 storms towards Florence and woked up the neighbourhood along the line. Is there any better morning call?
Italy, May 2009 (scanned Slide)
This Industrial railway (For sure a coal Mine railway system, because we are in China ;) ) was active up to the end of 2014! Quite a Long time. But it was the last bigger industrial railway in Nei Mongol province. On my last visit in 2013 nearly 50% of the traffic and service of many coal mines was already gone.
China, Yunbaoshan, Sept. 2000 (scanned Slide)
The famous Jing Peng pass was not only in winter the right place to go. Especially in spring time and autumn the gorgeous landscape offered its coloful and special charme.
There were various fields in very different color. The fresh morning hours in the mountains also offered the chance for white steam.
Here a typical QJ double rollerd downhill after the summit tunnel in Shangdian and their hard sweaty, uphill work.
I wondered why the fire man feeded the engines so much and quiet visible. But for the photographer good luck!
China, province Nei Mongol, Sept. 2004 (scanned slide)
Cold, colder....Jalainur. Here in the far nothern end of China I joined some of the coldest days during some north-east winters in China. The freezing maximum we had at one morning with -41 C. The Taxi refused it's service for us, so we had to take a fully crowded, local, mini bus the way up to the mines and open cast pit. Everything was frozen inklusive cheeks, noses and cameras. So we had to use every chance to warm up somewhere where was a stove, heating or fire. Luckily there were a lot of worker and stuff sheds or hutches around. And WE were often welcomed with a quick chat, warm tea and people with interest for the Laowei's.
On the Image you can see two of the common Sy wich dumped their black gold load in the conveyor belt bunkers there.
China, Jalainur, Jan. 2008, province Nei Mongol (scanned slide)
A very cold afternoon with up to -25 C. On top of a snowy hill in the forest we were actually waiting for a freight train hauled by steam (Js class). But as was so often the case in those years in the middle of the dieselization of the CNR, the freight train hummed through the valley with a diesel locomotive of the Df4d series on top of the coaltrain. Well then, just like that. Today you are somehow grateful to have made the motif in this way. Time doesn't stand still.
To warm up after work, we had the obligatory instant noodle soup in the chartered local taxi. Our driver was once again an expert when it came to sourcing food
China, Daihancha, Heilongjiang province, Feb. 2000 (scanned slide)
China, Shaanxi province, March 2007 (scanned slide)
The coal mines around Whangzhiwa layed on a Higher terrain beside the main line from Tongchuan to the north west. Before the branch line reached the mine it passend a tunnel.
Serveal times a day the mine was served by coal trains (emptys uphill loaded downhill). Often the old JF s from Tongchuan struggled when they blasted the hard gradience uphill. For photographers it was quiet spectacular. Sure not for the engine crew.
If you want to shoot a train two times you really had to hurry up on the dusty, bumpy road from Tongchuan to Whangzhiwa.
Than you still had to climb several terrace fields down to the small canyon before the tunnel. But at that day JF 2113 fitted with spoked wheels spend a very long time in the station before. Maybe because of shunting? Anyway the sun already rised higher the temperatures increased and the light got bad. But just before I want to give up the position I heared finally JF 2113 blasting up the line with an amazing eco. Still a nice but not so impressive high-noon-shadow-shot after there hours waiting.
China, Shaanxi province, March 2000 (scanned slide)
This little, old Lady, was to short in action. Just a few years. I heard Tki3 will become an new overhaul, but lets see when she really will come back into service. Until then more old, historic, infrastructure ist gone forever.
Poland, Ruchocice, Oct. 1997 (scanned slide)
Ruchocice. There is something special that connects me with this village and place. The old love of steam and a relationship with a female who lived in the place until the end of the 90s. Yes, she can even be seen here in the photo. But that's enough information ;). A lot has changed since then. The train station is only a shadow of its former self. The loved woman went out into the world long time ago. But the steam trains, although now rare on this route, are still running.
Poland, Ruchochice, Oct. 1996 (scanned slide)
On a bitterly cold winter morning Ol49 23 hurryed up with her passenger train towards Poznan (ex Posen). The wonderful winter light caught directly my attention. So a quick sprint to the right position with the Lake and shemaphore, gloves off and...click sssrrrr!
Poland, Stenczew, Dec. 1995 (scanned slide)
I didnt found out, there and today why they used this old lady in regular service at this day. So much more impressive to see the SN 61 in service with "Bonanza Coaches" on this fine summer day.
Poland, Koszierzyna, Aug. 1994 (scanned slide)
A EU07 in very good condition is waiting with ITS Expresstrain for departure. Typical polish 90tys atmosphere
Poland, Poznan, Aug. 1995 (scanned slide)
Italy, Olcio, May 1998 (scanned slide)
Turkey, near Erzurum, Sept. 1998 (scanned slide)
Germany, Bad Mergentheim, Dec. 2023
France, Provins, May. 2023
Germany, Lüneburg, April 2024