Sandaoling Coal Mine Trains – Rolling Fireworks Shows
The Sandaoling coal mine – official home of the fire dragons!
Located at the Sandaoling Coal Mine in China, these 2-8-2 steam locomotives get a workout hauling coal up and out of the opencast mine.
With loading facilities located deep within a massive pit, locomotives like this one must climb out of the open mine an approximate distance of 3 miles while negotiating switchbacks and circles to get to the unloading points located beyond the rim of the pit.
On heavy days, a long train passes out of the pit as often as every 20 minutes! That’s a lot of coal!
With the coal mining industry in China declining, Sandaoling has become a true hot spot for railfans from all over the world.
Some quick facts about the JS Class 2-8-2 Mikado
- Builder – Dalian Locomotive Works, Datong Locomotive Works
- Build dates – beginning 1957
- Number built – 1916 units
- Wheel arrangement – 2-8-2
- Driver diameters – 53.94 inches
- locomotive weight – 101 tons
- Tractive effort – 56,000 lbf
Let us know if you have ever been to the Sandaoling Mine to see these locomotives in action. We would love to hear your comments!
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