Pingdingshan winter

As I learn that steam on the Pingdingshan system has now been relegated almost entirely to a standby role I thought that I would dig out a shot from January 2008 which encapsulates the often dark and gloomy atmosphere there. Here JS 8030 lurks in the background at Tianzhuang whilst the track gang labour on the extensive track doubling that was being undertaken in this area. The weak and hazy sun is about as good as it gets for days on end. I made three visits to this busy railway operation and never managed to see all it had to offer but always enjoyed seeing the big trains operated here.