Conclusion :

      Shenyang Railway Steam Locomotive Exhibition Hall is one of the Steam Locomotive Museums in China.  Another is Datong Steam Locomotive Exhibition Hall in Shanxi Province.

      On 22 December 2001, I visited this Museum by myself.  The weather was very cold and the temperature was about –10°C in daytime.  The Locomotive Exhibition Hall locates at Sujiatun in the suburb of Shenyang.  If you want to go, I would advise you to go by taxi (fee about RMB 50) as it is difficult to find the Museum.  You can go back to the metropolitan by bus 324 or 327 (fee RMB 2).  You can ask the wardens and they will tell you the way to the bus stop.

 In the Museum, 15 Steam locomotives are found and placed outdoor in different area.  In the past, all Steam locomotives were placed on the two tracks, but now, it was changed.  According to the previous record, it should be 16 Steam locomotives, but the SL₁₃902 was missing.  It was still a mystery.  Beside the Museum, it is the Sujiatun Shedding area.  You can see a lot of Diesel and Electric locomotives.  Don’t enter this area, it is dangerous as many locomotives are operating at that time.

      Unlike western countries, most Steam locomotives lack regular maintenance (or even no maintenance at all) and all of them are placed outdoor.  So their outlooks are bad under long exposure.  Corrosion, rusting and peeling off of the metal are easily seen.  It is very pity if you like Steam locomotives. 

      Steam locomotives are one of the cultural heritages.  They had played an important role in the transportation history.  As the railway becomes dieselised and electricified, Steam locomotives will phase out in the coming future.  If possible, locomotives in museum should be well preserved, so that our next generation can get the knowledge about the history of the railway.

      Finally, I hope more people will enjoy the Chinese Steams.  If anyone want more information, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me.

  Gavin Yau Kit-ming

 Jan, 2002