Last days of Baotou steam

Last weeks of steam at the Baotou steelworks. SY 1431 loiters at the servicing point whilst another of the class heads for the tips with a load of slag ladles.

We were probably the last western enthusiasts to visit this site as we were later detained by security and, after a suitable period of hanging around, ejected from the premises. This was despite our having purchased a permit to visit from the steel company and being in a company minibus with their driver. It appears that a new head of security had made the decision that no visitors were allowed and to reverse this would have been a serious loss of face. The steam locomotives were taken out of service about three weeks later.