QJ's in the USA

Just came across a youtube video of double-headed QJ's on a freight in Iowa, USA. I recall that two (or more?) QJ's were imported into the USA, possibly straight from the production line when they were still being built in China a few years ago.

Can anyone fill in the detail of where they are kept and how often they are steamed?

(Did do a site search but nothing came up)

Thanks

46118

 

They were out on the tracks a week ago:

http://www.rrdc.com/news_iais_rail_ride ... 4_2008.pdf

Pics here:

http://qconline.com/multimedia/display.php?id=378
and here:

http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/Sal ... myRailride


I suggest you google railroad development corporation to find more details

 

Mmm it does spoil it.
I loved that first video though, plenty of noise

 

There are three QJ's in the US that I am aware of. The two in Iowa, which were bought for an exersize in find out if there was a market for such locos for "heritage" operations. There are avaliable for hire or even perchase but no one has bitting in 32 months. They have operated three times in that time for testing, once as a special excursion to celebrate their arrival which included a thripple header with a native 4-8-4 and recently on a frieght charter to raise funds for a good cause - I forget which.

The thrid was bought last year by an indervidual who has made her operational and made a few adjustments, such as removing the elephant ears and painting a large red strip allong the running board to advertise his interests and to ocasionally by used on the frieght trains he runs.

There are three of four other Chinease engine in the US but they are 2-8-2s. Some Su's on torist lines that look very americal without being in china rail colours and converted to right hand drive. But there is a JS on the Boone Scenic Railroad that also runs a few times a year and is still in full China rail get up and is in fact used as a marketing point.

I agree, but there are specific whistle codes that have to be used in the US, in particulat two long a short and a long for EVERY level crossing the train passes, and some are very close together. They do tend to play more when fans are watching though.

 

The three QJs are ex Daban, Ji-Tong Rly. The other engines are SYs (not SU - aren't they Russian 2-6-2s?) and a JS all of which I believe were built for the US. I also believe one was lost at sea enroute and a replacement had to be built.

 

Quite so on both counts. Memory blip. The Boon Scenic engine is most definatly a JS, however.

 

You said SU not SY!

 

I'm sat in a hotel by newark airport writing this listening to some SD60's whistling their way through the yard as I speak.