What Is The Appeal of A Chinese QJ Steam Locomotive?

Railfan Brody posted:

In today's steam excursion climate, the QJ locomotives are pretty popular, but I never understood why. I understand the popularity of one climbing Jingpeng Pass in China, but I don't think they belong overseas. They seem at home in China.

Can someone explain appeal of the QJ class, and why railroads started buying them?

To be accurate, "railroads" did NOT buy them, here in the U.S.. Private individuals purchased them. 

Why? Because they were far less expensive than completely overhauling a U.S. steam locomotive from a park or museum, which also tended to come with "strings attached", from a legal standpoint. The QJ 2-10-2 locomotives are light axle loadings, thus will easily negotiate secondary short line trackage. They were also mostly built new as late as the 1970s!

They were intended to be a source of new locomotives for the tourist railroad business and they still had to meet US codes. 

It's not like there's a lot of QJ's floating around in the US, 2 or 3 at most.  Same for the SY Mikado's, which can be made into presentable US replica's.

Rusty

I thought Iowa Interstate bought one. I guess the only problem with a QJ is the fact that the engineer sits on the LEFT side of the cab.

Railfan Brody posted:

I thought Iowa Interstate bought one.

No, the Iowa Interstate did NOT buy two QJ locomotives. The man who owns the Iowa Interstate, Henry Posner, purchased two QJs, under a different corporate entity. He thus could operate them on HIS railroad, whenever he so desired. 

For what it's worth, Mr. Posner has since "given away" his two QJs to a "non-profit" steam enthusiast group, The Central States Steam Preservation Association, so whether they operate in the future might be up-for-grabs.

Wasn't there one on a little shortine/tourist road in central Illinois, and l saw one in operation close to the Des Moines TCA convention years ago,,?  This last was maybe one of the Posner locos.

The appeal of the QJ's was apparent at Rock Island at Trainfestival 2011.  One of them, unassisted, handled 16 cars westbound across the Government Bridge and on the north edge of downtown - going upgrade.  I am used to what NKP 765 can do but that QJ put on quite a show that day!

colorado hirailer posted:

Wasn't there one on a little shortine/tourist road in central Illinois, and l saw one in operation close to the Des Moines TCA convention years ago,,?  This last was maybe one of the Posner locos.

The Boone and Scenic Valley near Des Moines has a Chinese Mikado

I spent several years as a contractor working on the Corman Q.J What's appealing about them is what they aren't - they aren't museum pieces. They are "modern-ish" motive power with few frills or creature comforts, meant to do a job and do it serviceable with comparable parts and apparatuses reverse engineered from American designs. Familiar, but different. 

Before locomotives like the 765 were elevated to the crown jewel status, they were just that - one of many machines doing a grungy, dirty, tough job.

The Corman QJ no. 2008 offered that interesting bit of perspective - and we were almost the same age. 

nathansixchime posted:

I spent several years as a contractor working on the Corman Q.J What's appealing about them is what they aren't - they aren't museum pieces. They are "modern-ish" motive power with few frills or creature comforts, meant to do a job and do it serviceable with comparable parts and apparatuses reverse engineered from American designs. Familiar, but different. 

Before locomotives like the 765 were elevated to the crown jewel status, they were just that - one of many machines doing a grungy, dirty, tough job.

The Corman QJ no. 2008 offered that interesting bit of perspective - and we were almost the same age. 

Why did Corman and Iowa Interstate stop operating the QJs? I know that the 2008 was stored in a glass building in Frankfort, KY, and the Iowa Interstate locomotives showed their skills in 2010.

It's no longer a priority. The engine will be relocated and displayed in nearby Midway, apparently.

Railfan Brody posted:

nathansixchime posted:

I spent several years as a contractor working on the Corman Q.J What's appealing about them is what they aren't - they aren't museum pieces. They are "modern-ish" motive power with few frills or creature comforts, meant to do a job and do it serviceable with comparable parts and apparatuses reverse engineered from American designs. Familiar, but different. 

Before locomotives like the 765 were elevated to the crown jewel status, they were just that - one of many machines doing a grungy, dirty, tough job.

The Corman QJ no. 2008 offered that interesting bit of perspective - and we were almost the same age. 

Why did Corman and Iowa Interstate stop operating the QJs? I know that the 2008 was stored in a glass building in Frankfort, KY, and the Iowa Interstate locomotives showed their skills in 2010.

1) Mr. Corman passed away, and nobody else in the corporation cares about steam locomotives.

2) Mr. Posner, of the Iowa Interstate, gave both his QJ locomotives away. Maybe he was tired of the financial drain?

It would be nice if Genesee & Wyoming acquired a QJ or allowed steam excursions. I can think of a lot of great places to run it.

Their current policy, excluding existing contracts or arrangements with other operators, does not permit steam.

nathansixchime posted:

Their current policy, excluding existing contracts or arrangements with other operators, does not permit steam.

I guess a railfan can always dream!