Golden dusk at Daban. This was my breathtaking first view of a 'real' steam depot in the 21st century. It could scarcely have been more perfect (or surreal)!

The pool in the foreground is starting to freeze as QJ 6992 sits in the fading sun awaiting duties. This is the running shed side of Daban MPD yard and the depot's newly-delivered breakdown crane ... (more)

Shattered dreams! If ever there was such a place as the mythical 'elephant's graveyard', then surely this is the equivalent for the noble 'iron horse'. Slowly sinking into the mire is this woebego... (more)

Only six years ago and now consigned to history, this quartet of QJ's are waiting for their next tour of duty in Daban MPD yard. The late afternoon sun is slipping away, lending a warm glow to the... (more)

Blue pool at Daban. The temperature on this perfect March evening hovered just above freezing, providing some great opportunities for reflection.

RJ Corman's Chinese QJ coming off the Water Street Lead at MN Tower.

The QJs drop downgrade into Council Bluffs in twilight, during the 2007 photo freight charter. The trips in October 2008 are to feature an even heavier tonnage train.

The two Qjs in Iowa, seen here passing the former Rock Island depot in Wiota, will get another chance to stretch their legs this fall as they pull a series of Iowa flood relief fundraiser trips fr... (more)

Henry Posner III's two QJs, 7081 and 6988, do their best to darken the sky as they climb a hill east of Adair with an 88-car manifest, which set the record for most steam-hauled tonnage in the 21s... (more)

2008 rolls through rural farmland as it makes its way to Bagdad.

The gigantic cutting to the east of Lindong is the backdrop to westbound QJ 6828. She is hauling a wonderfully colourful mixed train and the driver has just eased off the regulator as 6828 will ta... (more)

QJ 6580's fireman pays last minute attention to his charge before her eastbound departure from Lindong. The broad grin is characteristic of many Chinese people, particularly if you offer it first!

Monday morning, 0600 hours, it's a new dawn. Another mixed freight rolls lazily into awakening Lindong.