A JS engine on a loaded coal train disturbs the peace as it charges the grade out of the open cut coal mine at Sandaoling in NW China. January 16th 2012.

As viewed from a man made tunnel in the side of a hill, a loaded coal train steam up out of the pit at Sandaoling Coal Mine, North West China on January 16th 2012.

Sandaoling has a large fleet of JS locos and just a few SYs. Here SY 1593 deals with cranes.

JS 8195 is seen powering up the grade from the coal loader in the open cast pit to the washer where its haul of coal will be unloaded.

Sandaoling Coal Mine Railway.Kengkou Station.

JS 8358 has just topped the steep grade outside of Erjing mine and will coast downgrade for the remainder of the trip to Nanzhan.

Deep in the Open Pit Coal Mine of Sandaoling, JS 8225 storms upgrade past JS 8077. JS 8225 is bound for the coal washery but first must surmount a grueling 2%+ grade that will challenge the massiv... (more)

JS 8077 leads another coal train out of the Opean Cast Pit in the golden light at the end of another day at Sandaoling.

JS 8077 storms out of the loading area with a 1500+ ton coal train. The loading area is built on a steep grade, so loaded trains are immediately challenged upon leaving the flood tipple at the bot... (more)

JS 8225 thunders down a long straight stretch of track at the bottom of the Opencast Pit mine. Ahead of this 2-8-2 is over 4 miles of steep grade. Therefore crews often use this straight flat sect... (more)

JS 8173 slips and stalls again while lifting a heavy loaded coal train up the 2%+ out of the Opencast Pit at Sandaoling. This train has been stalled on the steepest part of the grade for almost 30... (more)

JS 8077 storms out of the Opencast Pit at Sandaoling with a heavy loaded coal train. JS 8077 is a special locomotive on the Sandaoling Railway as it has been recognized by the local Communist Part... (more)

JS 8225 steams through the Big Curve and up the last stretch of grade at the Opencast Pit Mine in Sandaoling.