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View Full Version : Chasing The Chariots Of Fire,The Last Steam Trains In The Universe



disco man
21st June 2014, 03:49 PM
Finished watching this one just before, and its another one i would strongly urge rail fans to keep a eye out for very interesting viewing.The following is from the sleeve notes.

John Agnew is a crazy New Zealander who has been hunting down the last steam trains in the world.After more than a decade of globe trotting ,which took him from Africa to South America,we join John as he tracks down the last Chariots of fire on the final frontier-China and the remote icy wastelands of inner Mongolia.

John had heard about the last labyrinth of steam railways but the Chinese authorities denied their existence and even refused permission to use his camera.Twice apprehended by the police for suspected espionage,after many adventures he became the first westerner to bring out pictures from this part of the world.

During John's epic journey we visit places where time has stood still where steam is still a modern power,where animals and men doing the work of animals is an unquestioned part of daily existence.We warm to the welcome of children living along tiny forestry railways where temperatures can plummet to minus 30 degrees.

In remote Mongolia we are overwhelmed by the spectacle and majesty of the massive QJ locomotives,hauling their enormous loads over the 1000 kilometer JITONG LINE,where for a decade steam has been making it's last mighty stand.

We come away with an understanding of the force which has driven John Agnew's passion with an affection and a sense of sad loss for these magnificent locomotives,these Chariots Of Fire,now on the brink of oblivion.The Last Steam Trains In The Universe.

That pretty much covers the film but i would like to add this was made in 2008 so i am sure if there is any more steam railways in full time operation.

drivesafe
21st June 2014, 04:06 PM
Hi Disco man and thanks.

I’m not sure but I think Cuba still has a lot of steam in service, because of the USA embargo on diesel ( amongst other things )

Rosco8
21st June 2014, 04:51 PM
I don't think much is happening in Cuba anymore, used to be good, as was Java, China and parts of Sth America. Not much left now :(:(

This site does a pretty good job of tracking what Steam is left in the world
International Steam Locomotives 2014 (http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/internat.htm)

Have a friend in Tassie who has and does chase Steam for most of his life, and he recently went back for his yearly fix in China, but even that is nearly dried up .. he travels with this tour guide who hunts out steam. Linesiding with John Raby (http://www.linesiding.co.uk/)

I am looking at doing the West Coast narrow gauge railways later this year and then onto Harz Mountains in East Germany whom still run steam :):)