Hailar

Back in 1992 the majority of services on the line from Harbin to the Russian border close to Manzhouli were steam hauled. Hailar was an important point for changing locomotives and there was so much traffic that the station required the services of at least two pilots. Here the empty coaching stock from a Harbin train is removed by JS 5741 whilst a QJ sets off towards Manzhouli with a train of coal empties which may be for loading at the Jalainur washery. In the background is the wooden clad water tower at the Hailar loco depot which comprises a semi-roundhouse in the German tradition and still stands albeit in a derelict state.