Shibanxi: The Railway and The Mine
I have added two illustrated reports on Shibanxi
from a visit mid-December 2005.
The Railway
The Mine
Trangkil No. 4 is now 'restored to its original as-built' condition on the Statfold Barn Railway. A comparison of its working and 'as-built' condition is interesting. Which do you prefer? Among the many missing bits, what happened to the pump below the saddle tank which always reminded me of a toy soldier or some kind of mechanical man?
Based on my various trips during the period March - July 2005, I can recommend the following railways as being well a visit.
Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic http://www.jhmd.cz/ (bilingual Czech/English website with timetables) is a locally-owned, diesel-operated narrow gauge with a steam service in July-August and a few other dates. The regular steam service is on the scenic line to Nova Bystrice but steam also occasionally works on a different route to Obratan. On departing Jindrichuv Hradec, both lines run for a distance on the main standard-gauge line to the east on interlaced, dual-gauge track. A nice system, even the diesel trains are worth photting.
Steyrtalbahn, Austria The Steyralbahn is the narrow gauge line operated by the Austrian enthusiasts group OGEG. Their website is at http://www.oegeg.at/oegeg/deutsch/index.asp but as I write the timetable section is not working. Contact steyrtalbahn@oegeg.at for details of this line and its operation. We were treated to an excellent day out with a special train and run pasts. The line is scenic and features a big river bridge and a climb to the northern terminus as well as unfenced pasture land with interesting local features for lineside photography. The line operates regular steam-hauled trains during the tourist season and is well worth a visit.
Harzquerbahn, Germany http://www.hsb-wr.de/ This line describes itself, in German, as 'the biggest of the small' and along with the Ffestiniog in Wales and a small select group of the world's major narrow gauge railways, is a clear contender for this title. There are two main lines from Wernigerode and Gernrode to Nordhausen which join at Eisfelder Tahlmuler as well as three branches (Drei Annen Hohne - Brocken, Alexisdad - Harzgerode, Stiege - Hasselfelde) 131 km in total! Steam trains run daily throughout the year although the service is reduced in winter. Diesels and diesel railcars also feature and the Nordhausen tram now runs out from Nordhausen to Ilfeld Neanderklinik with specially build diesel/electric trams. From next year the line will be extended from Gernrode to Quedlinburg, a world heritage site and a fascinating, historic city. Not much more to say, really. If you haven't been there, go! If you went there several years ago, go again to see how it is progressing. Accommodation in Wernigerode is plentiful in self-catering flats that can be booked for short stays and (if you are lucky) can be found just by walking the streets and reading the ads or calling in at the tourist information office in the centre of town.
(More to follow in the next few days.)
Steam Railway magazine No 311 June 17 (EMAP, UK) has a full-page report on the return to steam of Trangkil No.4 in the UK at the Statfold Barn Railway. It has been reguaged to 2ft and is painted green. It carries its Hunslet plate 3902 of 1971 and Trangkil No.4 plate. The two Pakis Baru locos are shown in the workshop. Also mentioned as being there are Sragi No. 1 and Sragi No. 14 'Max'.
http://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/bonus/bonus9.htm has an inaccurate version of events, 'rusting in a shed in a jungle in Java' being used to describe how it was found! But site does show pics and a short video clip.
http://www.fern-express.de/news84.htm has a probably more accurate short report in German.
Steam Railway notes that the site near Tamworth, UK is private but operates on several days a year by invitation.