Yebaishou - Junction with steam on three lines, Lingyuan Province, China


	Yebaishou with three lines climbing out of a valley towards the North, South and East became popular among enthusiast when steam in Northern China went to its final phase. In the typical loess landscape of northern china, a QJ with an empty coal working to the Pingzhuang mines was just approaching the tunnel above Shinao. December, 1996.


	One of the last steam hauled mainline passengers in China was the Jinzhou - Yebaishou - Chifeng turn T853/ 854. After id had engines exchanged in Yebaishou, the passenger with its traditional YZ - trainset made swift progress towards Chifeng. Dec.1996


	Freight workings outnumbered passengers by far on the Chinese railway system. A pair of QJ with a heavy northbound to Chifeng had almost mastered its ascent out of the Yebaishou basin when passing this level crossing between Shinao and Shahai. December, 1996.


	Even triple headers could occasionally be watched at Yebaishou. This rather happened for operational reason, though, than for motive power required. Wooden hills were a rare sight in Northern China. With the exception of a few regions in the far north of the country, forests have been cut down almost entirely for lumber production. To a large extent, the insatible demand for throwaway-chopsticks accounted for that! Oct.1998


	The line east towards Beipiaonan, Fuxin and Shenyang left the Yebaishou basin with a long uphill grade as well. As you can tell from the vertical smoke, the two QJ's were negotiating the grade with little more than walking pace. Near Bolouchi, December 1996.


	While the tipical morning haze still hung in the valley, a QJ stormed uphill the 12.5/1000 grade with a freight towards Pingzhuang. December, 1996.


	At the entrance of the gorge below Shinao, a freight with two QJ headed northbound in late afternoon..


	A few instances before sunset, another northbound freight had left Yeabaishou for its 144km-trip to Chifeng. Dec.1996


	(c) Markus Fischer, Z�rich