Antwerp, 25/01/2009,

Hello,

The Jitong line has changed a lot recently… Not only is the steam traction gone, the line feels much more like a busy mainline now. The stations have longer tracks, signals and turnouts are now electrically controlled, and recently, the line has gotten new ties and rails, etc… (Some parts of the “Pass” are now also fenced off… :-( ) But the trains have also become much longer and a lot heavier, requiring the use of - stronger - DF8B’s… During my visit in August 2007 I saw one very heavy Eastbound coal train (Almost 5000 tons!) with three DF4D’s (Two in front, one in the rear) climbing the Pass between Jingpeng and Shangdian every day just before noon, but now, in October 2008, there were several such trains, but with only two DF8B’s in front! Some trains – such as this one – even featured “DaQin” style coal hoppers:

http://www.chinarail.be/video/JITONG2008B.wmv

And for those who have difficulties downloading this large file:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbakAqvBZ5M

This clip was filmed in the morning of November the 2^nd, near “Tunnel 4”… It had been snowing for two days then, but the ground was still too warm for the snow not to melt… I especially like the deep growl of these beasts when they are still in the tunnel… The whole valley is already filled with their deep thundering even before the train is visible! This is of course not the same as two hammering QJ’s, but to be honest I can also enjoy this… :-) I hope some of you could enjoy this clip too….

Best regards,

Joeri Vanvaerenbergh