In Pictures

Gallery|Science and Technology

China’s Steam Trains

Gansu Province is home to one of the world’s last steam-powered trains.

China''s steam trains — This train in Baiyin, Gansu Province, is one of the last regular commuting services in the world that are powered by steam

Baiyin City, Gansu Province – China has the largest high speed rail network in the world and it’s set to double over the next decade.

It’s also one of the few countries where steam trains still run.

But the early locomotive might be reaching the end of the line.

China''s steam trains — Two locomotives work at Sandaoling mine in Xinjiang Province

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China''s steam trains — Liaoning province has several mines and factories still using steam locomotives for its daily work

China''s steam trains — Every morning at this industrial complex in Liaoning steam locomotives are coaled and watered for a new day of work

China''s steam trains — Pollution concerns are one of the main reasons steam trains powered by coal are being phased out

China''s steam trains — A worker pours coal into the boiler of a SY steam locomotive

China''s steam trains — A steam train is seen running through a snow covered valley in northern China

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China''s steam trains — A locomotive rolls through a level-crossing

China''s steam trains — The last steam locomotive was built at the end of the 90s. In 1985 10,000 steam trains operated daily around China. Today jut a few remain.

China''s steam trains — Two locomotives haul trains of coal at Sandaoling mine where this steam engines work 24 hours a day

China''s steam trains — Steam train drivers after a night shift at Dongbolizhan