scots region Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hello all, I've found these youtube videos of steam workings in, what the video claims to be, North Korea. Whats curious is no one seems to be bothering, or remotly interested in, the camera man. Odd. ScR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingley hall Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 A few years ago there were a number of enthusiast trips run to North Korea so it's probably from one of them. While conditions were not perfect, things were better than made out by the Western media at the time. There were also a couple of locations where North Korean steam worked across the border into China. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Coincidentally I was reading one of my sons books with him (World Steam since 1980 by Lou Johnson) and there is a picture of a North Korean 2-8-2 No 6325 taken in December 1987 by Les Tindall. The loco looks similar, but differs in details to the one in the video Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieB Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 One thing is certain - this video would have been taken by a visitor on an organised tour. Independent travel is all but impossible in North Korea. A number of trips have been organised, most prominently by Bernd Seiler and Florian Schmidt, with an international contingent. They have had to work within limitations imposed by the authorities, which largely meant itineraries and locomotives specially prepared for the tour groups. Rumours existed of "real" steam workings elsewhere (sadly no recent reports of some of the locomotives of Eastern European origin known to have been exported there. As in most repressive regimes, people don't tend to show interest in the goings on of escorted parties of foreigners. I think the locomotive in the clip is a JF (Jaifeng) mikado of Chinese derivation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 North Korea is well known for putting on its best face for foreign visitors, much like the Soviet Union did back in the day. I know a couple of people who have been on organised railway tours of North Korea. Special trains were put on for the group an official "guide" was provided to point out all the magnificent achievements of the glorious workers. While saying that tongue in cheek, some of the Pyongyang Metro stations are like cathedrals with gigantic murals (with titles like "The Great Leader Kim Il Sung Among Workers"), chandeliers and carved columns. CheersDavid Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted February 20, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 20, 2013 Good to see but the bit that got me was the Verandah of the bogie brake van that looked as if someone was growing corn on it. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Here's another one. Wait until you see what fuel it uses! Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingley hall Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Here's another one. Wait until you see what fuel it uses! Cheers David Bit of a contradiction really "North Korea is well known for putting on its best face for foreign visitors......." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted February 23, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 23, 2013 I wouldn't like to be downwind of that. Perhaps they could get Goodyear to sponsor them. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingley hall Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 These vids were taken circa 2004. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Wasn't the first North Korean steam engine named "The Rocket? XF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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