Stalled

My first visit to China was in October 1992 and one of the highlights of the trip was the Jalainur opencast mine. The layout of the mine at that time was very different from today and the coal trains had to be hauled right out of the pit to reach the washery by the exchange sidings rather than the conveyor system from the low level unloading point now in use. Traffic was very heavy and slipping to a halt on the curves and gradients appeared to be a regular occurrence. Here a train that had set back after stalling is preparing to be banked out by the following working. The main power plant for the area can be seen on the horizon.