After nearly four days spent at Zhongwei over Christmas 1987 (featured in Steam and Rail in China), we then headed for Jiayuguan in the northwestern province of Gansu. This was a 28-hour, 1,076km-long journey, steam hauled all the way by a succession of QJ class 2-10-2s and glimpses of 1987-built JS class 2-8-2s working as station pilots. My Lonely Planet guide
