Steam Engines Still In Actual Service?

[Anonymous]

Might be a retarded question, but are there any steam engines still in actual service anywhere? In the world? Not excursions, not museums, but actual freight or passenger service from point A to point B?

[tatans]

They are still building new steam engines in China, India has some(don't they??) What about Africa??

[Anonymous]

I believe the steam era in China is over, if not just about over, diesels have taken over in that part of the world.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

India and Africa have only a handful of steam locomotives left in service, mostly in reserve roles. Steam in China seems to be confined to the coal mining regions, and even there diesels are starting to make inroads.

[Anonymous]

China shut down their steam engine building plant a year or so ago.

[Anonymous]

yes, in scotland a regular steam train runs from the kyle of lochalsh.Mainly ex LNER B1 or LMS standard 5 locos.

[martin.knoepfel]

The Jitong-Railway has still mixed steam and diesels, but diesels are progressing. hurry to take pics, because winter is the best season for that.

In Poland, at Wolsztyn, they still have a steam-depot working. the steam engines pull regular passenger trains. I do not know of freight trains.

The Brienz-Rothorn-Railway in Central Switzerland and the Mount Washingtion in New England still run steam engines. They are both tourist-railroads with cog and rack. They don't operate in winter.

Perhaps, Zimbabwe has put back to service some steam-engines, because they have coal and they lack the money to buy crude oder petrol. however, Zimbabwe is not a place to travel to. If you really want to try, consult the websites of the Foreign Office and follow their advice.

[bobwilcox]

QUOTE: Originally posted by martin.knoepfel

The Jitong-Railway has still mixed steam and diesels, but diesels are progressing. hurry to take pics, because winter is the best season for that.

In Poland, at Wolsztyn, they still have a steam-depot working. the steam engines pull regular passenger trains. I do not know of freight trains.

The Brienz-Rothorn-Railway in Central Switzerland and the Mount Washingtion in New England still run steam engines. They are both tourist-railroads with cog and rack. They don't operate in winter.

Perhaps, Zimbabwe has put back to service some steam-engines, because they have coal and they lack the money to buy crude oder petrol. however, Zimbabwe is not a place to travel to. If you really want to try, consult the websites of the Foreign Office and follow their advice.

Mattin-Any news on the forestry railroads in China?

[Anonymous]

There are steam operations going on in Cuba, mostly for the sugar cane industry. TRAINS did a story on it about a year ago, if memory serves me correctly.

Erik

[underworld]

erikthered has got it! The sugar plantations in Cuba. Also there are some in use on sugar and other plantations in South America. I have a book somewhere that shows some other operations. I'll look it up for you.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[martin.knoepfel]

I have heard about a forest operation in Paraguay. The (domestic Paraguayan) flight would be with a DC-3. This combination would be a special treat.

I forgot Cuba. Are US-citizens allowed to travel to Cuba now? Some years ago, it was illegal. Means, you do not have protection from your country's representatives if you get into some trouble with the police.

I forgot two other operations in Europe. The Achensee-Railway (cog and adhesion) in Austria. For tourists, but regular service, not only occasional trains. And several narrow-gauge lines in Eastern Germany. Regular trains, too. Mostly passengers, as freight went to the road if the plants didn't close after German reunification. One place used to be famous for a parallel departure of two steam-trains.

@bob

I don't have newer informations on Chinese forestry railroads. Sorry. But most probably, there are still steam-operations. As well in Chinese industry-plants.

[espeefoamer]

The Ravensglass and Eskdale, in England,is a steam powered 15" gauge operating railroad,which carries passengers.

Sorry,folks,I got the name wrong[B)].See Old Limey's post below.

[Anonymous]

The Narrow Gauge railroads in Colorado and New Mexico ie. the Durango and Silverton and the C*bres and Toltec operate point to point service 7 days a week during the May - Oct tourist season. These two railroads are licensed to operate by the STB and they operate under FRA regulations with scheduled service. The Durango and Silverton even operates trains on the weekends during the winter. The some 12 ( currently 9) operational steam locomotives represent the largest number of steam locomotives operating in one area in the United States. The 480 series date form 1925 and represent the largest number of a single class of steam locomotive still in operation in the Western hemisphere.

[Old Limey]

I suppose our little Railway in Kent is classed as a public Railway see link

http://www.rhdr.org.uk/rhdr/rhdr.html

[tatans]

I guess the answer to the question is NO ! A few obscure steamers around the world do not make a substantial contribution to full-blown steam engine service,sadly folks, it's all over except the odd steam excursion out to the boonies, now you know how important it is to preserve a few of the magnificant piles of iron.

[martin.knoepfel]

I have to correct myself. I found an article in the internet (in a german railfain-site) saying the Chinese forestry railroads are all doomed. the forests are cut, so no need to further run a railway. perhaps, they last one more year. main season for the forest-industry is winter, so this one could be the last one.

there are still steam engines in North Korea. More or less regular freight movements (daily) across the border to Manchuria.

Wolztyn is repairing a freight engine.

Last place for mainline steam is the Jitong-Railway with QJ's. Latest news say they abandoned mixed traction (diesel-steam). The trains have either a diesel or a steam-engine.

The Darjeeling-Himalaya and the Nilgiri-Railway in Norther resp. Southern India could be other candidates.

[7h9h_]

some Steam Engines are at canada B.C.

[METRO]

B.C.? Where at? those could be some nice pics.
~METRO

[7h9h_]

B.C. is British Columbia

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the Strasburg Rail Road still provide a small amount of service?

[7h9h_]

i do not know sorry

[tatans]

What? (where?) is canada B.C.? Do you mean the Province of British Columbia in Canada?, if so where are these steam locomotives in active service located? British Columbia is 365,950 square miles in size.

[ben10ben]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that UP 844 is still technically on the active roster, and hauls revenue-generating freight once in a blue moon when en route to be displayed. Although these trips are few and far between, I would definitely count a steam engine hauling revenue-generating freight as being actual service.

[tatans]

Of course there are a few (very,very,very few) steam engines in "service" but to quote ONE or two locomotives as there being steam engines in service is a pretty long reach, c'mon folks, it's all over.