A day of Steam Locomotive in Sandaoling Coal Mine 4K

[@Redhand1949]

The most extraordinary rail footage I have ever seen. Genius.

[@michaelgro5474]

This clip is very physical and dense. I appreciate that there is no speaker because I can here the engines better.

[@ATI556]

Agreed!

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

There are several more very spectacular clips on You Tube. Just look up 'Sandaoiling a night'. :-)

[@pressureworks]

Videos like this can never be long enough ! Thank you for keeping it perfect by not featuring yourself. Or talking endlessly or adding music. less is more ! Perfect as it is !

[@breakinn403]

They did add music, the music of the sound of steam.

[@Jin88866]

Even Greta would agree

[@lazuvt9456]

It's like these engines are living breathing beasts, there's just something about these that fascinates me.

[@90FF1]

Impressive is an understatement! Beautiful night photography of men and machines at work.

[@jorelldye4346]

This part of China is SO BEAUTIFUL, and these trains are so old and beat up. I'm in love!

[@austincheung6061]

I have been to Sandaoling 4 years ago. These steam locomotives are so beautiful~~~

[@jimbos3421]

That was frigging excellent! Looks like a moving explosion.

[@tims8326]

The subject is terrific of course, but the photography/cinematography....... composition of shots, use of angles, colours, background are all exquisite.

[@kishascape]

True, channel name and video watermark looking like a cheap low grade channel that poorly edits together clips of everyone else’s videos, but ended up proving otherwise. Pleasant surprise.

[@zumdnr4943]

Bangla-5হা,হিন্দুহত্যাN.Khali'46- kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn63h6SAi9Wjrbs >1)Shanti বাহিনি-লরাই/ UN Mission আফ্রিকাতে/জিয়াউররাহমান-বিরুধ্যে ক্যু(বিদ্রুহ)/ক্যুর পর Court Marshall/University +কলেজে/ 6)হরতাল-অবরধ-এসবে নিহত> Noakhali+ NearerএবংCalcatianদের-death কত? সামঞ্জস্বপূর্ণ?>Noakhali+নিকটবর্তী ও Kolikata+ Nearer লোকজন শিহর/BlackMagicএ আশক্ত(Muslimকাফের হয়ে যায়), 1946 Noakhali,রায়ট-এ Muslims Killed Hindos, ঘর জ্বালিয়ে দেয়্য, Forcely Convert, বাড়ি থেকে উচ্ছেদ করে। M.K.Gandhi-র Goat চুরিকরে। Obaidul Quader's Koti Taka'r Wristwatches < kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKC8paiLg66jb8U >,শিয়াদের 10Faith< kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbSnJetl5asprM >/ -(ক্যাসিনো/যুব League)-সম্রাট, (Dr.সাবরিনার স্বামী)-আরিফ, (মেজর সিনহা team)-তাহসিন- এর আলোচনা মিডিয়াতে কমকেন? www.nytimes.com/1947/04/08/archives/quit-noakhali-or-die-gandhi-warns-hindus.html ;/ - আটরশী পীরের জীবন কাহিনী < kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKTCiX6inpyNr6c >; //HinduFAMily murder নিদারাবাদ,B.Baria www.bd-pratidin.com/first-page/2015/05/08/79830 ;ভোলার ড্রাইভারের সিলেটের Maliker Chhele স্কুলছাত্র হত্যা-www.jagonews24.com/national/news/523595 ;Sources confirm NYC bomb suspect originally from (চট্টগ্রাম),Bangladesh< kzbin.info/www/bejne/amKsqIGInJd6g6M > -মুফতি Kazi Ibrahim-এর Predictions-> 2019 সালে হজরত Imam Mehedi (A:) এর আগমন/30-4-20-পৃথিবীতে Big Destruction/ 12-May-20 Corona রোগের Ending/মধ্যRamadanবিকট শব্দ/Bangladesh-এ Corona will not come/ গন China-য় Corona will attack শুধু non Muslim/ বিভিন্ন স্বপ্নের বিবরন-ব্যাখ্যা/ মিথ্যা হাদিস- ভবিষ্যৎবাণী// M.R.,Azhari->বনী Israel কাঠেরBridgeএ Sea অতিক্রমকরে(Against Al-Quran) @ যুবলীগের (Casino) Somrat এর প্রতিদিন আয় ৪০ লাখ টাকা! Noakhali Riots - Impact of Direct Action Day,1946 Communal riots in Bengal Naked (Noakhali)-র কাণ্ড দেখুন ভিডিও তে < kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX_Id5WcmK2Cga8 > Gay -Noakhali/Feni/Laxmipur/Chittagong- Bangladesh < facebook.com/groups/1711702805733214/ > একজন আহসান হাবীব পিয়ার ও অন্ধ বিশ্বাস (নোয়াখালী-S.char)নিজের মাকে হত্যাকরে সন্তান< kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2KaoWhtnrWcq80 > সিরিয়াল রেপিস্ট মজনু(নোয়াখালী)< kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5yVkn2ZrNeFn9k > noakhali নোয়াখালীতে ৪র্থ শ্রেণীর ছাত্রীর ধর্ষক গ্রেপ্তার< kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYHNZZ6wgLaEmKs > Noakhali Sonaimuri Nur Nahar Skeleton Recovery News 26 Mar 2014 < kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2iyl3eAhMairpY > Noakhali Sonaimuri JUBOLEG LEADER MADER News 07 Sep 2014 । NOAKHALI Milon Marder Special 27 7 2015< kzbin.info/www/bejne/kILSdKJoiMSJnM0> নোয়াখালী জেলার ভয়ঙ্কর সন্ত্রাসী কর্মকাণ্ড- নোয়াখালীর লুচ্চা হুজুর মেয়েটিকে একা পেয়ে noakhali gang rape News 2 1 2016 নোয়াখালিতে স্পিরিট খেয়ে ৫ মৃত্যু MahTech > Noakhali Violence against women, 25-Nov-15 নোয়াখালির Noakhali Gay Nusrat Jahan Rafi হত্যা মামলার রায়ে ১৬ আসামীর মৃত্যুদণ্ড,< kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGG3kHdqbambgbM > নুসরাতের জবানবন্দী •23 Nov, 2019 < kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqLWcqBjfMx_h9U > Noakhali Basar Mazi < kzbin.info/www/bejne/in69nomrp7dqr8k > লাইভে স্ত্রীকে কুপিয়ে মারলো স্বামী-Feni ভূমি দস্যুরা গর্ববতী মহিলাকে ধর্ষণ-মেরে < kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKTHd4iOndqFfq8 > এমপি পাপুলের কু-কীর্তি , 8Jun.20< kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpemaYWordR5n9U > Tiktok অপু (Noakali) গ্রেফতার Arrested < kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZSqomini9NlZtk > এ কান্না যেন - সুপারম্যান< kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3ynpYCIp7Wggsk> গান্ধীরছাগলচুরি’46 < kzbin.info/www/bejne/joi7mH2VbL6MqLM > @ Top 5 Vondo Pir in Bangladesh< kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2XWZX17hrOkkKc > আটরশীর পীরের জীবন ই লালন/বাঊলধর্মের জঘন্যতম ইতিহাস-আল-গালিব< kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZu5paKJjJJ3gbs > শাহ Neamatullaah's- Prediction- মীযান Harun < kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV63cnZ8adp4edE> 288No.বনাম Zakir Naik < kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWKXep6ZityNZ5I >সময়- 5:46 (Z.নায়েক- 4 Woman Prophet.) -Allaah-র সাথে talk করলেন Hizbut Tauhid এর Emem< kzbin.info/www/bejne/q53ElXhobNaAgaM> কামালুদ্দিন জাফরী(ভোলা) এক বদচরিত্র লম্পট, উলামায়ে সূ’ < www.old.al-ihsan.net/fulltext.aspx?subid=2&textid=13164 > হাফিজুর রহমান সিদ্দীক-কুয়াকাটা-কা আ,,বয়ান< kzbin.info/www/bejne/moaWhZ-Bf86sp5Y> কুরআনের আয়াত বানিয়ে - আটরশির ভন্ড আলাউদ্দিন জিহাদী মুনাফিক Muhammad Asad (ইহুদী Leopold Weiss)-Quran & Muslims< kzbin.info/www/bejne/hISYlIWlgKl7p6M >22হাজ্জ-৭৮-আমাদের নাম মুসলিম/ইহুদীরামানেনা; আগাখান-১১-১৩ শতকের-গুপ্ত ঘাতক, সন্ত্রাসী, Assassin ইসমায়েলি শিয়া সম্প্রদায়ের। আটরশিপীরেরখাটকে পূজা< kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHmVgauggd9gjqs > Homosexo টেন মিনিট School- Ayman Sadiq (কমিল্লা).< kzbin.info/www/bejne/iV64i4Kum5Joipo > মসজিদOutহত্যা-Comilla < kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWGqpH5uppZ_hZI > চট্টগ্রামে মাদ্রাসার Teacherএর বলৎকার- < kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHOmeqatjd-kqac > @ রোহিঙ্গা>1Kg.Gold< kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJLRfqt_gbqajac >৭ডাকাত< kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppDJoZWsr6qgotU >;(Spy+চুগলখুর+Terrorist+যুধ্বে Coward+ নির্যাতিত প্রচার+একজোটে মিথ্যাকে সমর্থন +মিডিয়া Control+ কৃতঘ্ন+নিজেদের নিষ্পাপ ভাবে+ নিজেদেরকে গরীব বলবে+ ভাষা/রক্ত সম্পর্ক ধর্মের ঊর্ধ্বে) করাচী>শিয়া জিন্নাহর শেষ আবাস, শিয়া Z.A. Bhutto বাংলাদেশে জুলুম, Belochistaneএ অভিযান, P.Mosharrof- ইহুদীর শত্রু তালিবান(২০০১) দমনে ইহুদি(যুক্তরাস্ত্রের) গোলামি। কলিকাতা Riot’46 < en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Calcutta_Riot,_1946> (top5R-ভা kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5C9qpJ3pt2MrpY&has_verified=1 ;মরিচঝাপি kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKfHpnSDrs91eNU ; ) Nellie,আসাম Messacre,1983< kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmStq4uMaZJma6M > সন্ত্রাসী গেম assassin Crede নিশিধ্ব হোক

[@cavok76]

This is amazing work, probably one of your best!

[@jamesdean9027]

Fascinating to watch und hear the sounds of old style raw power straining to haul product from source to end user can only imagine the workshops keeping them working the silluettes r amazing thanku Jimmy Dean

[@NS_5350]

This is by far the best footage I have ever seen of any railroad operation! Thank you for sharing!

[@tedmichel8999]

Excellent filming, awesome !

[@madtrapper8301]

Awesome spark show to bad they didn’t have some pieces of copper and aluminum wire to put in the firebox when working that engine to give it some more colors

[@unguidedone]

wow and the sound omg....

[@joshjones3408]

That's so dam cool looks like something coming up out hell great video 👍

[@PR-pp2zc]

Excellent footage we will never be able to see this in real life (it was a part of my childhood) it's all history now

[@rogerwaldron1995]

Lovely photography and nicely edited.

[@DASDmiser]

Great material and very skillful photography

[@mechanicus1080]

Absolut sensationelle Aufnahmen. Ganz grosse Klasse.

[@otiselevator7738]

O Winston Link LIVES! This is the finest steam video I have ever seen!

[@bryanconley8202]

Great visuals, photography

[@AryaInk]

Very relaxing, took me to a new world

[@enthalpiaentropia7804]

Great footage , the most amazing & fantastic work...!

[@nakchauchau]

素晴らしい！なんて美しい動画でしょうか。非常に貴重な記録ですね。ウイグルに入るのはかなりリスクがあったでしょうね。

[@uberkelvin]

fantastic cinematography

[@ponyrang]

It's always great. Your video is excellent quality. We liked and enjoyed to the end. Thanks

[@NikosKantiris]

Amazing !!!

[@peterflitcroft9756]

Fire breathing dragons.

[@joshjones3408]

It's pretty cool to see steam engines working but. There's a hole lot of them working great video 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AdurianJ]

This looks great on a korean 4K TV BTW :D

[@ISO8]

yep alomost scene are native 4K(UHD) res

[@xinyiquan666]

how do you watch youtube video on 4k tv?

[@digitalmoviedv]

Spectacular! Great video!

[@eklavya3160]

Amazing video. 😯. How did you get such intimate access to these trains? Extraordinary

[@Cangluoak]

beautiful. Thanks

[@nativeafroeurasian]

Now we know what the coal is used for - transportating it😂😂

[@reallybrown2261]

Wonderful images.

[@emd6456]

Fabulous video. Kudos.

[@veitangel911]

Sandaoling is legend 👍Fantastic footage

[@PanduPoluan]

The slippage is unbelievable. That line must've had a very severe grade...

[@Aetila]

Now this is how a Hogwart locomotiv should look like in the night! :-)

[@naopaya]

本物の蒸機は圧巻ですね。素晴らしい映像をありがとうございます。

[@sigurdjohnson6617]

Incredible.

[@fefe8504]

Imagine running away from a fire breathing steam locomotive in the night. Cool

[@bonda01]

Very nice. Happy memories!

[@mariofernando468]

Será que ainda estão em funcionamento??

[@yihan3114]

Sound is also great.

[@wliomsky]

8:50 Fire！

[@vasilvassil6908]

This great video is ideal present on birthday Greta Tunberg

[@erikkorschenhausen6968]

Wow… is so genius and … omg!

[@DF4D0001]

The photographer paid and asked the drivers to make sparks.

[@kishascape]

He snuck in and took the spark arrestors out

[@purdoy25]

Whoa feels a lot like it belongs in a Ghibli movie.

[@mybestieischloer2401]

why all the sparks?

[@viennatramway]

unglaubliche Aufnahmen!

[@ウルシー]

火の粉を散らして走る様は圧巻です。

[@zsolttraub486]

Wow beautiful video

[@Langevloei-NL]

11:54 What is coming out of the smokestack? All of those flammable particles in a coal mine. Before you know it, it becomes a new Centralia - Pennsylvania, USA.

[@phillipbonner5215]

Cool fireworks

[@Genius_at_Work]

May I use some Parts of this in a Video about the Function of Steam Locomotives? I want to point out the Importance of a Spark Arrestor. Of course I will place a Link to your Video here and also recomend watching it.

[@ISO8]

Thank you for your consultation ! Please let me know your new video later. sincerely,

[@Genius_at_Work]

@@ISO8 Thanks. I'm planning to upload it Sunday in two Weeks.

[@qpr543]

What is this knocking sound continuously heard, even when locomotive has stopped?

[@paulhare662]

Im guessing an air compressor.

[@ciranopinheiro1008]

Pense em um lugar frio, é esse em sandaoling!

[@incrediblemichael]

what is the cause of this huge cloud of sparks sure the locos drove uphill but what me intressts is is it a technical thing on the locos what in cobination with uphill driving produce this sparkly show ?

[@danejohanson3865]

This Spark Show is something that the engineer does on purpose....it isn't always shooting sparks ! When the sparks fly...it's called "A Spark-Out" and it cleans the exhaust of ash ! Some call it "An ASH-OUT" ! Done every few hours of running.

[@ishkode71]

First thing they do get rid of air horn and put a steam whistle on it.

[@RailPreserver2K]

I would write to them asking if they would be willing to sell some of the locomotives to rail enthusiasts outside of China

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

You would need the rubbish Chinese coal for the effect.

[@RailPreserver2K]

Do you plan on going back before the locomotives are retired because I heard that the mine may close soon

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

always fabulous to see these clips at night. Can anyone tell me though exactly why these engines s[ew out so many sparks? I ve only ever seen a few sparks at night in Australia in the old days. Is it just because they are being thrashed uphill? I'd really love to know.

[@ISO8]

The following is my hypothesis, and I would like to point out that it may differ from established facts. In fact, the image sensor of cameras are different from the human eye. Digital cameras are capable of capturing a wider range of light wavelengths than the human eye can. In other words, humans cannot see UV or IR light, but especially the image sensor of a digital camera react strongly to IR light, just as photographic film reacts to X-rays. These sparks are generated when a lot of particle is mixed with the coal fed into the boiler and the hot particle (contains after burning) ignite and blow up all at once. This means that you may not be able to see such spectacular sparks if you are observing near this Chinese line. In addition, I used newer, more sensitive camera possible to shoot these scene. However, the my naked eye could see the strong light clearly , as if the entire smoke is emitting light. When my editing the timelines, the brightness of the whole image was slightly enhanced, but it should be noted that no correction was made to intentionally emphasize only the smoke, as I tried to make the image look natural and I felt as a whole. In addition , because there are few houses and forests along this railroad, there is no problem of fire spreading, so it seems that coal powder without commercial value, is used to locomotives. Typically , the locomotives are equipped with filters to prevent fire spreading, but there is still a possibility that the filters are not working properly for some reason, such as , to prevent power restlict.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

@@ISO8 Thanks. That is very plausible. It all adds up Otherwise I was shocked to see so many sparks-but they do look fabulous! :) Best wishes.

[@laurensvisser7623]

Chucking some saw dust or coal dust on the fire, i reckon?

[@southernpacificproductions5983]

China Did build an Awesome Steam Locomotive

[@M-yy9nk]

リアルなスチームパンク！

[@rogerb5615]

Superb video. Thank you for a TOP job. Word is these engines (and the mine they service) ceased operation this year (2020). True?

[@ISO8]

I've heard the operation would be closed for 3 years but still lives... God knows

[@ВладиславЯскевич]

Красавец , остатки прошлого (((

[@chita_videographer]

What camera is it on?

[@pressureworks]

Oh i'd really like to be, an engine driver me !

[@bobyharyadi990]

bener bener wonderfull croots

[@MyMopar383]

Wowsers

[@薛定谔的猫-x4n]

膜！

[@VinceBEdano]

Do European steam engine have more power than chinese steam engines? Edit: Great Video BTW on those angles are spectacular

[@wtfwtf4875]

They are actually pretty average, not remarkably strong, but also not weak compared to their European contemporaries of the late steam era.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Are these one of the most fantastic classes of steam loco ever? :-)

[@ISO8]

At least, These are eligible in the dark 😊

[@rinadych]

Грета Тунберг остолбенела от шока ))

[@marat61]

Soviet steam engine construction school

[@rokuroku214]

往年のアジア号もこんな感じで、大陸を走ったのかな？

[@ISO8]

ここまで盛大にぶちまけられるとさすがに問題になったかもしれませんね…旧満州方面では林業も盛んに行われておりましたので いろいろ調べましたが、製品にならない細かい石炭が現場で消費された影響が大きいように考えています。

[@rokuroku214]

@@ISO8ありがとうございます。楽しい動画で好きになりました。

[@MrOprawca1978]

Ty-51?

[@brucelee2096]

昼間は見えないだけで、あんなに火の粉を撒き散らしてるのですね。

[@ISO8]

はい、太陽が出ている時間はまったく視認できません。

[@690_5]

are these ex Soviet engines? or are these Chinese built?

[@CyclonesFan24]

I think I can I think I can I think I can I know I can the stack says

[@pangrac1]

Why sometimes it makes sparks and sometimes not?

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

Difference between day and night, like with volcanoes you barely see the orange glow at daytime.

[@danejohanson3865]

@@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj The engineer does this "Spark-Out" every few hours...to clean the exhaust of ash ! It happens when they call for it !

[@nicolayu.kotomanoff4358]

Does still it work in 2023?

[@ISO8]

In the rumor , a few locomotives are still alive , so some chinese tourists succeeded to request them to run on short brunch line.

[@CaptCrewSock]

Why do this train spit out so much burning coal?

[@techphy100]

I feel like i was in the late 1800s

[@johnhili8664]

Why is the train throwing out all those sparks????

[@treyjordan3168]

Because of the Coal it was using, Scraps that would have little value in a Power Plant or a Steel Mill, but good enough for a Steam Train

[@johnhili8664]

@@treyjordan3168 Thanks for the information as I am not conversant with trains here in Malta we do not have trains only buses:-) Malta is only 20 miles by 8 miles.during British colonial times the British installed a small train in 1883 which stopped working in 1931 as it was loosing money all the time!!!!

[@alaya1472]

I've heard that there was originally a part works like a filter to prevent those sparks spread out, but the train is really too old. the original factory has already stop made those parts decades ago. there is no forest around the rail so they don't have to worry about those sparks may cause a forest fire. so after last filter get out of service. they just removed it.

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

@@johnhili8664 Typically British haha.

[@ulrikeschaich6599]

The sparks appear when the engine is run at its limit: The steam exhaust is acting as a induced draught pump, sucking air through the grate and boiler tubes. Thus, the more steam the engine uses, the more air is drawn through the fire. In normal mode, steam is let into the cylinder only at the beginning of each piston stroke. Then it is cut off and the steam is expanding while the piston is moving through the cylinder, which means steam pressure on the piston decreases along the way. If the load is heavy, the pistons have to be fed with fresh boiler pressure steam most of their way through the cylinder. In this case, at the end of the stroke steam is released into the exhaust with close to full boiler pressure. Apart from poor exploiting the energy contained in the steam ,this causes too much air draught through the fire, blowing particles out the chimney before they are fully burned. Running a steam engine at its limit is a waste of energy, but what a great sound and light show!

[@staplerpit1]

Fahren die mit Kohlenstaub? Oder warum glüht das Abgas der Lok im Dunkel so sehr?

[@ISO8]

>Fahren die mit Kohlenstaub? Ja, Eine Menge Pulver, das nicht zu einem Produkt wird, wird gemischt. >warum glüht das Abgas der Lok im Dunkel so sehr? Das ist meine Hypothese. Im Allgemeinen reagiert der Bildsensor der Kamera empfindlich auf Infrarotstrahlen. Sie können dies überprüfen, indem Sie das LED-Licht der Infrarot-Fernbedienung überprüfen, mit der die Lichtemission nicht mit bloßem Auge erfasst werden kann. Pulverisierte Kohle, die bei hoher Temperatur verbrannt wird, ist wahrscheinlich eine starke Lichtquelle für die Kamera. Es besteht jedoch kein Zweifel, dass es auch mit bloßem Auge recht hell ist.

[@васяк-к6ч]

Говорят паровозы прошлый век ,а на ТЭЦ АЭС генераторы паром крутят

[@turboprint3d]

Wait in china they still use steam trains to pull the coal , I guess it makes scene no shortage of fuel , but seams kind of strange of a country that likes to reverse engineer tech and make there own. dose that mean they produce new steam engines ? Watching this i can almost smell the burning coal .

[@archivfinder3992]

Damit kannst ganze Regionen in Schutt und Asche legen. 😆😆

[@EPhilipSmall]

From 8:00 on, I have the Reaver's theme playing in my head as background. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpS4d5ijesxoptk "Running without core containment... that's suicide!"

[@EPhilipSmall]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJfYpoKieJasqdk

[@mikespillman3075]

How do these locomotives NOT nuke themselves?

[@イオン水-d8i]

7:50 空転してる。

[@ilovecops5499]

I AM SOUPERMANES I CAN LIFT AUP ANYTHIGNES! I AM SCHTRONGES!

[@athenes1366]

Greta Tumberg left the chat.

[@lyingeyes5579]

TUF TUF TUF TUF TUF

[@ИльяГорлов-н7у]

кажется, что они дышат :-)

[@prsearls]

I enjoy watching steam locomotives but I've never seen one shower sparks like this. Really poor maintenance and/or firing technique or fuel. It's spectacular but all that heat is wasted. Poor engine!

[@unguidedone]

with the amount of sparks showering down what are the odds of lighting up the coal being towed or your coal box on the train?

[@jxmai7687]

em, it would not last long.

[@istillusezune82]

The coal in China is generally of poor quality.

[@CarlJohnson-km8zr]

Id say they turn the blower on full blast to clean out the fire box, and the temp there is cold enough they probably have problems with everything freezing up. coal isn't like wood its a bit hard to get burning

[@simonp347]

Could purely for show. They know tourists/ photographers are around. I've heard crews burn saw dust to create this kind of effect. I've even seen them open drain cock or blow down valve for similar visual drama. Look much nicer on photographs that way.