Sandaoling

[@arndpeter]

using steam locomotive in a coal mine makes perfect sense to me.

[@odairmiguel7132]

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[@electric7487]

@@odairmiguel7132 r/ihadastroke

[@tankista5885]

Hahaha

[@gateme3247]

Yeah

[@skiiipawbs]

Yes

[@timkaine5098]

Last steam train ran in 2022 apparently, amazing they had steam trains in a useful role in the 21st century

[@studiograham]

You saved me a google search

[@garryferrington811]

These are probably gone by now. Those heavy 2-8-2's were good pullers. What a piece of history.

[@The_Hanged-Man]

I'm a simple man. I see TRAIN video, i watch, i like.

[@traintalkproductions5934]

This is the absolute best documentary of this operation I've seen. Not only did you go over the main coal operations, but you also showed us some of the maintenance operations. Nice seeing trains in the desert and in places you normally wouldn't be able to get to from a public standpoint.

[@markusmuller6173]

An impressive accelerator for our climate change ...

[@davidng2336]

@@markusmuller6173 congratulations, this railroad is now closed.

[@markusmuller6173]

@@davidng2336 Some people have a pretty narrow focus in their perspective...

[@Spencer067]

The sound of the steam locomotive actually putting in work sounds amazing.

[@danburch9989]

Steam locomotives are probably the most appropriate technology to use. Fuel (coal) for the steam locomotives is right there where they're mining it. Very impressive operation.

[@harryflashman3141]

There seems a certain logic to run steam engines in a coal mine.

[@neon6828]

in bosnia there's a coal mine where they still use ww2 german steam locomotives

[@bentinck69]

Vikos, thank you for your beautiful photography and for recording this for all of our history. It looks as though you did a great deal of hiking about for viewpoints.

[@rext8949]

Great video. The sights may be dystopian but for a train buff its a wonderful experience , watching an actual commercial operation in process in the 21st century . What is remarkable is that these trains are maintained not for tourist purposes but for actual day to day working ; no worrying about transporting diesel . The product is the fuel itself .Coal will continue to remain a major player in China's economy.

[@armoris66]

Love watching big machines at work. Shovel loading at around 16:00 was awesome too.

[@londonwestman1]

20:25 A nice contrast between the almost unaltered 19th century steam technology and, to the left, the shadow of a very 21st century drone that's actually doing the filming. It's great to have captured perhaps the last truly working steam trains in the world just a few years before their departure marked the very end of the age of steam transport - apparently in 2022.

[@geraldwagner8739]

These locomotives are absolutely wrenched off!

[@Rusty_Nickle]

I was wondering if you could roughly translate that for an american?

[@geraldwagner8739]

@@Rusty_Nickle I wanted to write worn out. Sorry!

[@Rusty_Nickle]

@@geraldwagner8739 oh OK! I thought maybe it was slang

[@failranch9542]

@@geraldwagner8739 I liked “wrenched off” better. Maybe I’ll start using it.

[@tomcat2285.]

@@Rusty_Nickle I mean if you want something more slang for worn out you could say these trains are "clapped out".

[@SepticMonkey42]

the distant "chuffing" sound at 3:49 is absolutely wonderful

[@vladabuba]

Not going into political and efficiency matters, but just from artistic point; this is greatly edited video with fantastic photography. Sounds of the locomotive and deep tones are fantastic!

[@stancrouch9642]

This piece should be nominated for an award of some kind. Great movie very well produced. Well done!

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

I'm a retired engineer, and this looks mighty real!!! Their track looks to be in really good shape!!! I'd give my grapes to work on a railroad like this!!!

[@Yacyz]

Well its 6 years ago and china doesn't use steam trains anymore

[@thoughtfox2409]

@@Yacyz They still use steam engines in some places, but usually just one or two as shunters that are hardly ever under steam. Sandaoling sadly closed down in september, so these were probably the last steamers still running on a daily basis...

[@colinclarke7307]

In the middle I suddenly thought 'why am I watching this?' Because it is MESMERIZING!!

[@ohwahtdaheck]

Absolutely fascinating beautiful video! My dad who was a C&NW fireman on steam would routinely critique museum engine operations as in... "Doesn't he know how to fire? Is that just for show or what? That fire is way too dirty!" He contended that properly fired, in most but not all cases, a good fireman would be judged by a clean burning locomotive. This is one of the most realistic operations videos I've seen. Thank You!

[@garryferrington811]

The N&W posted signs in engines stating "Black Smoke Means Waste."

[@thisnicklldo]

Top class video. Lots of stuff I didn't know about, clear story, great shots. Thanks so much for recording all this and editing it together for us.

[@daviddowling9830]

When you see a coal fired steam locomotive without a lot of smoke it has a competent fireman,very skilled at his job.

[@valveanti-cheat9348]

This is a very well done video. One of the best documentaries on working steam engines I've ever seen

[@daunteuflay4859]

theres something about steam locomotives that i just cant get enough. absolutely love'em

[@TheKarthiktry]

Looking back in time. Nice video without music and very good narration.

[@btarunr1]

This is genius. When you're mining coal in a remote region, where there's an abundance of coal and water, you'd rather use steam traction, instead of diesel or electric. These locos are probably designed to use unwashed coal.

[@laszlofyre845]

Look, here's someone who gets it- and all without political or environmental BS too. See, kiddies, it CAN be done!

[@identiticrisis]

Not to mention the cost (in energy or "CO2" terms) of actually making these engines in the first place and making the most of what is already "spent", versus the cost of manufacturing any potential replacement and the supporting infrastructure to go with it. Although I do agree it was more likely a matter of convenience and speed of deployment.

[@JT-zl8yp]

Electric locomotives could carry FAR more coal out of the mine

[@keithtanner2806]

Quite the best, most comprehensive and informative video of Sandaoling I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@VijayNinel]

Thanks for the great documentary. It was very interesting to watch not just the trains but all the mining operations as well.

[@777jones]

You did a beautiful job to take this video. Thank you. These men know what real hard work is.

[@stamrly418]

What a brilliant history of this line. In 2018 the coal was still going with steam. A great bit of explanation of the system and how it was worked. A story told brilliantly. Good video and very good editing to make the line live. Thumbs up all round.Amacf

[@doanster]

Great video, could pass as a professionally-produced documentary! Interesting fusion of old and new technology - steam locomotives running on rail on modern concrete ties...

[@jeremycox571]

At least it will never run out of coal !

[@pimmelberger9967]

but water

[@Ratplague707]

Very interesting to see the combination of concrete railway ties, jointed rail, and steam locomotives working in a modern open pit mine. A contrast of old and new that was probably never seen in the West.

[@coryplum5375]

China, A typical Train Museum, with Steam trains, Fuel trains, Normal Electric trains, Bullet trains and Maglev trains all be in operation.

[@potatonoodlebear8035]

Cory Plum the result of fast development in public transportation. Every generation of trains exist at the same time

[@solomonflavius24]

One of the best railway videos ever, very well presented and excellent commentary, excellent equipments used, thanks from Toronto, Canada.

[@AdvanceStarter]

I don't know how I missed watching this for the last two and a half years. But this is the best thing I have ever watched. It is truly a spectacular show. When I was a kid, I used to watch your Bhopal Shatabdi footplating videos when I had just gotten Internet at home. And your videos continue to amaze so many years later! This is beyond amazing! 🙏

[@patlawless1960]

Fantastic footage! It really makes you feel like you are there. Thanks so much for saving these iconic images for future generations.

[@darnoldie]

Great video. That looks like some very rugged and dirty work. The sparks coming from the smokestack make a very impressive show.

[@axelrajr]

very skilled operators to get them to burn that cleanly. about the only time they dont burn clean is when they are under the heaviest demands. i love how quiet the trains are. great video.

[@SortaProfessional89]

This is so awesome! Thank you so much for making this, the time and effort put into this is astonishing and very apparent. I don't think most appreciate the effort so on behalf of those interested in the topic, i thank you! The steam loco's of Sandaoling will soon be a relic of the distant past. This doc will forever cement its place in history.

[@Scrat335]

The fireworks at night. Who gives a damn about efficiency? It's a coal train in a coal mine!!!!

[@andyash5675]

Absolutely epic. This is what steam engines were invented for. It's just great to see them actually doing it.

[@nicholasgibson8483]

17:45 a little bit of wheel slip. Also notice the driver/engineer when the wheel slip occurs, you can see him quickly close the regulator to cut off the slip.

[@Heat0ne]

This is an absolutely incredible video and hands down the greatest steam show on earth!!! Really beautiful shots and incredible insight on this operation.

[@electric7487]

Steam locomotives built as late as the 1980's? Wow!

[@terryszabo8884]

Absolutely the most interesting videos I have ever seen on KZbin!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your camera with me!

[@kylemmosley]

Dude, some of your shot framing is incredible. Excellent filming.

[@oliverdecker1930]

What a great documentary. Well done , Vikas! Beautifully shot, too!

[@lowercherty]

I worked for USS in a rail operated pit in Minnesota. So much of this is so familiar, just make the black a deep red and it's 1941 in Hibbing. What a wayback machine.

[@jamesm6638]

Its a good thing you got this footage when you did...

[@vinylwalk3r]

Amazing footage! Really great work on the camera and documenting all of this. I almost feelt like I was standing beside you when you were filming this. Its really mind blowing for me to see all this industry in a desert environment, its both beatiful and eerie in a dystopian way. I wish I also couldve visited Sandaoling during this time, its something special to see for sure. But thanks for making all this effort for us to see!

[@nedcro]

First of all, I'm not a steam train fan. But immediately I must add this is a fántástic video. Filming, editing, sound, all in all a excellent document !

[@agytjax]

Awesome video. Watching this seemed like going to back to late 19th century in Time Machine to witness cargo haulage using the mighty steam engines back then

[@theogdirkdiggler]

I am 54 YO and only seen a steam engine once at a narrow guage engine in Colorado. And i grew up in LA Orange county area in the 70's. This is a great video.

[@SortaProfessional89]

GO SEE ONE! You still have time. There are plenty of restored Steam Loco's being used for tours. It is a must see, the power and inginuity displayed in these relics of the late 1800's early 1900's is absolutely astonishing! Just think every piece of those machines were made by hand with slide rules, no machines.

[@Jaxymann]

A 50+ year old steam train hauling cars of coal across expanses of remote China so barren & rocky that it might as well be on Mars is such an esoteric vibe. It’s like a post-apocalypse world where modern systems have been wiped out and we have to revert to ancient technology to rebuild civilisation.

[@feintcobra]

Its not an ancient technology? The last steam locomotive in china was produced in 1988, these locomotives are the most efficient steam locomotives ever built with 3300 horsepower, taking into accord their cheap efficient fuel they are way greener then using a 'modern' diesel from the US or the likes.

[@itsmeintorrespain2714]

Probably the best video I have ever watched on KZbin! Loved it!

[@1TruNub]

good to see these giants still showing the world the power of steam

[@Chuck59ish]

Pretty wild, especially the night shots with sparks flying everywhere, but with nothing to burn.

[@hcrun]

The sound of a steam locomotive working.....pure music!

[@richardgraves8785]

Your photography is wonderful.

[@bobm549]

How lucky you are to have witnessed this operation. The steam age will soon end for ever. Thank you for this history.

[@dr.andresalval3915]

in a coal mine a Think that "steam age" will last until coal ends.

[@chemech]

@@dr.andresalval3915 Or electrified trains run from a coal-fired steam power plant. China's cheap labor costs have kept steam locomotives running, but they are maintenance intensive... At this location out in the desert, the driver for getting away from steam locomotives will probably come down to the water supply.

[@erisdiscordia1649]

@@chemech Nuclear power is the next stage in steam power, so I don't think steam will leave us any time soon

[@aabb-zz9uw]

@@chemech There are always the much more environment friendly nuclear powerplants.Zero carbon emission

[@WasatchGarandMan]

This was an awesome video! Some very interesring locomotives and great camera work.

[@MrShiffles]

Those locos chug along just like the rest of them...good to see the technology still used!

[@manga12]

for now but the need and demand for coal even in china is waneing, and getting toward the end of they vein of coal this mine is the last actual use commercial steam in the world and they say it might not make it to the end of the year this year, this area though is also one of the uylgar peoples the ones that are muslum and oppressed by the chinese government that sometimes makes the news or circles when talking of religious oppression, but this is the last place, though you might get the occasional train on union pacific or at strausburg rr in lancaster county pennsylvania but it is not everyday they use it to pull freight. the reason this is still used is it is a coal mine and the fuel is abundant for use , and steam engines are rugged and simple very powerful machines compared to electros or diesle that would be more sensitive to the dust and conditions they work in, though with the steam the shower of sparks is not so good either around the combustable fuel, but its hear prob till the end of the year, then the engines will problably but put on display there isn't talk of scrapping them and the last working steam engines in the world even in china they know the significance of this and will problably put them in a museum

[@Skorpychan]

@@manga12 The last working non-heritage ones, anyway. Plenty of heritage railways in the UK running, and one even runs a scheduled service to a main-line station in season.

[@manga12]

@@Skorpychan yes but it is the last use of somthing that has been used on railroads for roughly 200 years, and the coal mine is the last stop, which is unfortunate, sure coal causes pollution, but there are other cleaner things steam can use heat the water, there is still soo much we could get out of the tech, if you dont belive me read up on the writtings of livio dante porta, and those that carry on his research, like david wardale, and those working on the coalition for sustainable railroading, there are still things used in stationary boilers that have not yet been applied or widely tried in locomotive boilers, and the harder the strain you put on the fire of a steamer the better she runs, makes a hotter fire, and the steam expand more as you get it going you can cutoff flow and let the heat in the steam fully expand before exausting from the cylender. on the other hand though in positive news many restorations are comming along great this year, and the t1 trust almost has the boiler finished save for maybe the throat sheets and connections, almost time to start on the all important frame of the locomotive

[@igorkratka]

Beautiful machines doing what they were designed for. Filming is equally of high quality and adding touch of romance.

[@no1reallycaresabout2]

14:08 One of my favorite shots Great video; I had no idea of the steam operations here till I came across this.

[@tomkitching]

This is a fantastic record of an extraordinary place. I was lucky enough to visit twice. You have captured the essence.

[@СамоДелки22]

токарю который поддерживает жизнь этого агрегата - огромный респкт и уважуха !))

[@kingtiger4444]

Very very interesting, well shot and no boring bits................... thanks for uploading

[@dapto234]

whats the most surprising out of this is that the person filming was allowed to do that in the first place.

[@whiteknightcat]

Note that the video is more of a factual documentary. It didn't really praise or condemn anything in the operation, it simply described the way things were done.

[@NarrowGauge1]

Fascinating! thanks for capturing these scenes and a great job putting the vision together. Vey well produced.

[@vineethii5278]

Very well shot video, well done Vikas. Thanks for uploading.

[@armoris66]

Excellently filmed, edited and narrated video my friend. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@blackdog12873]

Bhai, when i loaded this video, i didnt think i would watch it all through. being a half hour long, i thought i would skip through it or just watch short of full but it had me hooked. i did n ot miss any music either. ur narration was spot on as much as needed... and such cinematic shots allof them. !! very very awesome.

[@nitramretep]

Great filming and narration, thanks.

[@odessa1799]

great shot & well edit video. Thanks for sharing

[@ColorMeMozart]

What an amazing sight. The production of the video really gave us a glimpse into these awesome locomotives. Thank you

[@mudkow5092]

Fantastic video an narration... thank you for sharing.

[@allansplace]

Great documentary. Thanks for all your work in creating it. It shows your dedication in preserving the memory of all of these engines and their trains for future generations. Eventually the sound and light show of these steamers eventually 'runs out of steam'. (And thank you for now including background music.)

[@alexk7572]

Such a good documentary! Definitely a must see for rail(steam) fans

[@richardbutcher3630]

I totally agree, excellent photography, very Good narration, thanks from the land downunder.

[@TONYJUD57]

Thank you for that well documented film, Very much appreciated.

[@robertw5316]

If I hadn't seen this I wouldn't have believed it. Very enjoyable. Very informative. Thank you.

[@sircrackien]

Thank you for capturing the very end of an era. I'd love to visit the place but am sure the steam would be long gone before I ever got that chance.

[@yourlocalbaltimorerailfan.6756]

Wow, watched the whole thing, very interesting and sad movie. I had intentions to visit this railroad, but it appears that someone already wholesomely documented this lovely operation, thank you, and great video! Would love to see more documented real steam operations.

[@loveofit6498]

Great video! Thank you so much for sharing it!

[@Brian-1948]

Loco being very well fired and good coal helps. Nice clean chimney plume.

[@j-man6001]

Great Video! I love steam engines, and love watching these still being used in service

[@withoutnamepeople85]

Steam train is a wonderful great invention in human history.

[@edwardbenkert2618]

That is so cool that they still use steam locomotives there

[@gearsau]

The night photography is impressive. I went to Urumqi many years ago.

[@gearsau]

If you look on Google Earth for Urumqi, from what I could see, Sandaoling is a couple of hundred kilometers east from it. Urumqi is the worlds' most inland city.

[@marshapearson9271]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary.

[@Scorpiomary]

I enjoyed your vlog Excellent share

[@Igiveashitofaname]

When you got a coal mine, the simplest and most efficient solution to power your trains are steam locomotives!

[@ZergRadio]

1:41 oh boy I love that build up of that sound, brilliant!

[@qpr543]

The sound of this video is great. That makes it stand apart from other steam videos.

[@andymeredith6921]

Brilliant video editing commentary and explanations, well done keep it up!

[@ganeshsk6879]

Lovely video! There is nothing quite like the majestic beat of a steam engine. Today's diesel and electric engines may be far more efficient and less polluting, but lack the soul of the Iron Horses of the past. IMHO

[@zimingshi3383]

The latest train here was manufactured in 1982. There is no factory producing new parts. If any parts are damaged, they can only be obtained from a spare train. It is said that these trains will all be retired by the end of 2020. If you are a photographer, I recommend going in winter. My guess is that the workers here are paid very high. Because the environment here is very bad, if the salary is not high enough, no one will work here. The approximate salary is 1170USD/mounth.

[@fndjfgsdk]

Do you have a source for that salary? I have heard that you get paid next to nothing and the accident rate means that you're paying for medical supplies for most of your life.

[@zimingshi3383]

@@fndjfgsdk Sorry the previous data is wrong. I'm conjecturing about salary. My home is hundreds of kilometers away from this place . I estimated it based on the wages of the same workers. What can be determined now is that the salary of the train driver is only 416USD/mounth. The driver needs to work 12 hours and then rest for 24 hours. Regarding medical care, I only know that they have insurance. If possible, I will go to that coal mine next year. I would also like to know more information. They are people who have been forgotten by the times.

[@rickd3777]

Well the last standard gauge locomotive made in China is SY-1772 made in 1999, and the youngest steam locomotive in China is a C2 narrow gauge locomotive made in 2017 (for tourism, of course)

[@stephenkemp6870]

A wonderful documentary, thank you!

[@johnathanhodskins5820]

I feel like using a steam engine to mine coal makes sense? I know they are harder to use but the fuel is litterally right there

[@PentaMa-i4v]

Ye, why pay for diesel when you can burn something you find for free?

[@mfbfreak]

They are so inefficient (about 10%), that it's more efficient to transport coal 200km to the power plant, run the electricity along the track, and then put an electric loco to work. But because labor is so extremely cheap for domestic products in a communist economy, it doesn't matter if they just gotta assign 50 more miners to produce coal for the locomotives and 10 in the maintenance shop doing overhauls every few weeks. Finally, inefficient work is a genuine strategy to keep unemployment low.

[@scootergrant8683]

@@mfbfreak I don't think efficiency is a problem. That's been a known fact for over a century. XD