Our twin-berth cabins are the perfect private retreat, comfortably furnished and traditionally decorated with the varnished wood and brass reminiscent of a different age. Each includes a 'Pullman' table and deep armchair alongside a large picture window; a perfect place from which to take in China's ever-changing scenery. A state of the art shower car complements the two washrooms/WC's in every sleeping carriage.

Meals are served in the train's spacious restaurant cars, where our dedicated chefs serve a western breakfast followed by a wide range of authentic Chinese specialities at lunch and dinner, using only the finest local ingredients. As well as soft drinks, tea and coffee, meals are accompanied by a selection of wines from around the world.

Equally special is the unique ambience of the piano bar car, where our resident pianist is always happy to take requests. Staying open until the last person leaves, the bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow passengers… or simply enjoy some time, reading or taking in the scenery while enjoying your favorite drink.

Day 2 Monday 16 November After a relaxing morning on the train we will arrive in Harbin after lunch. The city is well known for its unique, Russian and European-influenced architecture. We will enjoy a city tour including Central Street (Zhong Yang Street) - a veritable museum of European architectural styles, Jewish architectural wonders, little Russian bakeries, French fashion houses and American snack food outlets. We will also visit St. Sophia Cathedral, the Russian Orthodox church located in this central district which has now been made into a museum as a showcase of the multi-cultural architecture of Harbin.

Day 3 Tuesday 17 November There are no fewer than five systems here, all serving collieries and using 26 modern ‘SY’ 2-8-2s. You’ll be surrounded by mines, washeries and stabling points. Amid this dramatic industrial landscape steam works to and fro - and very often you’ll have to choose which train to go for as there’ll be more than one in front of you! Jixi is one place where the steam world all still seems in order. As elsewhere though, it is on borrowed time. There’ll be a whole day here to explore this varied area – and as elsewhere our expert guides will make sure we get the best out of our visit. Today we will concentrate on the Didao system which operates five SY’s

Day 4 Wednesday 18 November One of the very best of China’s charming narrow gauge rural railways, the Huanan line exists to drag coal out of a remote area near the Russian border. Little ‘C2’ 0-8-0s – sometimes more than one to a train make a wonderful sight as they work hard through unspoilt scenery. This timeless 2ft 6in gauge line is normally a real effort to reach, but using our ‘hotel on wheels’ we should get there in perfect comfort. We’ll have a full day here. Should no trains be running we will have a charter freight for the day over the first 25 kms of the railway where there is a road for the photo buses.

Day 5 Thursday 19 November We return to Jixi and today will concentrate on the Chengzihe system, which operates twelve SY’s. We are also trying to arrange a visit to the locomotive repair works located at Jixi Xi yard which is at the start of the Chengzihe system

Day 6 Friday 20 November Early this morning we will go to one of the three remaining Jixi systems - Donghaikuang, Hengshan or Lishu, all of which use 3 locos. Lunchtime departure for Tiefa.

Day 7 Saturday 21 November The Tiefa Coal Railway has the distinction of still having an intensive steam-worked passenger service. Look over the bridge at Tiefa station where the services converge and you’ll be blown away… steam-hauled passenger trains at every platform! Tiefa is also one of the few remaining places to have a full-blown steam works, which also takes in locomotives from other lines. We’ll spend a full day at Tiefa. As well as being able to enjoy the regular action we’ll take a private special train over the complex network with a variety of engines including ‘YJ’ 2-6-2 No. 269, ‘JS’ 2-8-2 No. 5029, ‘KD6’ No. 487 (China’s only working ‘S160’ 2-8-0) and ‘SY’ 2-8-2 No. 1772. The ‘SY’ is claimed to be the world’s very last steam locomotive ever built for commercial purposes – it’s still not even ten years old! We also aim to turn at least one heavy coal train over to steam – which we’ll have the chance to chase for pictures.

Day 8 Sunday 22 November Overnight our train will have transferred to Benxi where we are planning to visit the steelworks in Beitai which we understand operates around 20 SY’s. This is one of the most difficult locations to visit and as this is a replacement for Jingpeng, our application to visit was only lodged on Monday. We plan to spend the whole day here before making the short journey overnight to Fuxin.

Day 9 Monday 23 November We spend the whole day visiting the Fuxin coal mine railway. Before 1998 this area was out of bounds to foreigners but since then it has become very popular with visiting enthusiasts due to the intensity of steam operations to be found here and around twelve SY’s in use daily.

Day 10 Tuesday 24 November The coal line at Nanpiao still uses three SY’s 2-8-2s on both passenger and goods workings. This 22-mile line is notable for its scenery – a mountainous backdrop, long dramatic bridges and panoramic views of locomotives at work on the line. We’ll have a full day here and have the chance to travel on the passengers trains as well as photograph the freights.

Day 11, Wednesday 25 November Arrival to Beijing. Sightseeing at Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Overnight at the Paragon Hotel.

Day 12, Thursday 26 November Breakfast brings in the hotel the tour to an end. Transfer to the airport by hotel shuttle bus for international flights.

Day 11, Wednesday 25 November Arrival to Beijing and transfer to Beijing airport for a flight to Urumqi and on to Hami(the Urumqi to Hami section may be by plane or overnight train, depending on final flight timings). If flying, overnight in Hami.

Day 12, Thursday 26 November Transfer by road to Sandaoling (about one hour) for a full day at the huge open cast pit band line to the exchange sidings at Liushuquan. The pit is four miles long, one mile wide and 570 feet deep with coal, spoil and a few miners trains being dragged out of the pit by over 30 JS class 2-8-2’s along with a couple of SY’s. Because there is only one time zone in China and Sandaoling is in the far west, sunrise in November is 0900 but sunset is not until 1845. Overnight in Hami.

Day 13, Friday 27 November A second day at Sandaoling. This evening we will either take the overnight sleeper of fly to Urumqi. If flying we will overnight in Urumqi.

Day 14, Saturday 28 November Take flight at 1005 to Beijing (arriving 1325). Optional tour to the Great Wall in the afternoon. Overnight at the Sino-Swiss Hotel near the airport.

Day 15 Sunday 29 November Breakfast brings in the hotel the tour to an end. Transfer to the airport by hotel shuttle bus for international flight

PRICES                       ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON
Double room occupancy..........................$ 9,995
Single room occupancy..........................$13,295
Additional joining cabin.......................$ 4,000
Deposit to hold space..........................$ 1,500
Final payment due by August 15, 2009

                 SANDOLING EXTENSION

Double room occupancy...........................$1,700
Single room occupancy...........................$2,000

• A full passport with at least 6 months validity from the end of the tour is required, together with a Chinese Visa.

• 2 nights in 4 star hotel in Beijing
• 10 nights accommodation on board the train
• All meals unless stated otherwise
• Services of a Tour Manager
• Services of a Tour Doctor
• All tipping
• Domestic flights within China for the Sandoling Extension

• Price does not include
• International Flights
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks in the bar, laundry bills, telephone bills