Afternoon rush hour

On the Nanpiao Coal Railway just before 3pm there are passenger departures from Xiamiaozi onto the two branches to Linghe and Sanjiazi. Even in 2009 it is possible that they can both be steam hauled, although more often than not the Linghe train is diesel hauled due to the town authorities at Nanpiao, from where the train starts, not liking steam locomotives in the town. The diesel must have been indisposed on this particular afternoon as steam was in charge of all services. Here the Linghe train sets out whilst the locomotive for the Sanjiazi service can be seen backing onto the coaches in the station. If you look carefully a third locomotive can be seen on the servicing point .

On very rare occasions both trains would set out at the same time giving a photographer stood between the two lines a very fine opportunity.

Steam is due to finish here at the end of 2009.