Hello from Shenyang, where the news is not good.

When travelling to China, time permitting, I travel to Shenyang to observe steam. Sadly this looks like this will be the last time, now I can go see the terra cotta soldiers. In November 1997 steam was everywhere, all one had to do was remain track-side for a while, today I have found no mainline or yard steam.

I stay at the New World Hotel, and request a driver for the day... well the hotel is also in decline, they now have only one car, and it was not available. They are in the process of becoming a Marriott property, so I don't know if the down turn is a result of the transition, or if they will become a typical, poor service, U.S. owned property. I hold a U.S. Passport so I can complain freely that things are so profit oriented that we have a "public be damned" attitude.

Anyway, off my soapbox.

With no car I decided to set off by foot and taxi. Walking around a city like Shenyang is an education, and I highly recommend it. I'm told you should keep you wallet secure from pickpockets, but I have had no problems. Even when wandering some of alleys near the railroad yards there is little to worry about during the day. People are quite friendly, and very surprised to the a Caucasian. A friendly Ni Hao often gets a Hello in reply.

I started at central station, walked north then west to Huanggutun. The car repair facility is very active, but the shed on the other side is not (there is a good foot bridge across the middle of the yard.) There is a large coal pile and crane, and a car for ash in place, and it looks as if steam may still be serviced there on occasion. I could see one steam loco on the north industrial side some distance away. She was facing away and did not appear to be in service.

Then I took a rather long walk to the next yard, I believe it is Yuhong or Yuguo. No steam to be seen, in November 1997 the yard was mostly steam. I sat track-side hoping that a train might pass in steam, no luck.

On the way to the yard, only a few 100 meters south, there is a large powerplant with an active SY. This was the only active steam I saw. I got pictures from the road, as I was a bit uncomfortable about wandering on the property, especially with no interpreter and my limited Mandarin.

I got a taxi back to the hotel, yes I did walk all out the way from Central station. Coming back on Bei 2 Dong Lu, in the industrial area I saw another SY. I yelled for the cab to stop, I think driver now questions the sanity of all Caucasians. The SY (I believe it to be an SY, but only had a head-on look), appears to be in beautiful condition, but behind a fence, so I couldn't get close. I believe her fire was banked, perhaps only used as required.

I did not venture south to Sujiatun, which had limited steam on my last visit. I hope this wasn't a mistake.

At Shenyang Central Station new catenary poles are in place, so electrification can't be far away.

For Trolley buss fans, some of the lines have been taken out since my last visit, including those in front of the hotel. The road is completely torn up and much infrastructure work is being done. I looks like they may be getting ready for "light rail." Anybody know about this.

If business conditions permit I will sign up for the October excursion here to see the last on steam. I think you know Alden Dreyer from Massachusetts, he is planning on making the trip, so we may travel together. I met him a few months ago, and have bought a large number of magazines from him.

These are my observations from a one day visit. It is a sad, but not unexpected day. I'll have a drink at the bar and silently toast the memories of my earlier visits here. At least I get to volunteer in the Puffing Billy shops in Australia for a week next month.

Linc Reed-Nickerson