KD6 #487 thunders across the Wang River Bridge with a special passenger train. While the Tiefa Railway has been the KD6's home for the past 8 years, the locomotive is a rarity in China. It is the only operable 2-8-0, the only operable locomotive built before Liberation, and it is the only operable American-built locomotive in the PRC. KD6 #487 rolled out of Lima Locomotive Works in 1943 as part of the US Army S160 class. Like her sister locomotive 1702 of the Reader Railroad (and now GSMR), this S160 has undergone alot of cosmetic changes over the years. But, in her heart, she is still an American machine. Given the advanced age of this locomotive #487 is used relatively rarely. For in China a 1943-built locomotive is considered very old, after all Tiefa owns two 1999-built 2-8-2s. But I was fortunate enough to catch her running during the week of January 13th, for several special trains.
