Two centuries after the world's first steam locomotive came into being, the gigantic machines are still puffing and carrying cargo in China's old industrial base.

"This is one of the few places in the world where tourists can see roaring steam locomotives," said Richard Tower, an American steam locomotive fan at Diaobingshan in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The city, unknown in China, is well known among overseas steam locomotive lovers for its 20 steam locomotives still in operation. 

"They are alive and you can see, hear and smell them. I've seen many steam locomotives in other countries, but they are lying in museums and dead," said a British photographer on steam locomotives, who said his name was Tony.

The 20 steam locomotives belong to Tiefa Coal Industry Group, and they still transport coal in Diaobingshan.

A 3,000-square-meter museum and a 220-kilometer rail have been built for tourists. Visitors can not only take pictures of the outdated machines, but also ride on them or steer them under the drivers' instruction.

The first steam locomotive was invented in 1804 in England. This type of locomotive is driven by steam engine generating power to drive the wheels. It must carry a lot of coal and water when running.

After World War II, however, more efficient diesel and electric locomotives gradually took the place of the great mass of the steam locomotives.

China produced its first steam locomotive in 1952, the year Japan decided to stop steam locomotive production.

Before the founding of new China in 1949, China built many railways, but had no railway locomotive factories. Many overseas locomotives swarmed into China and the country was nicknamed the "world locomotive expo."

China used 189 types of locomotives made by about 30 factories in nine countries before 1949.

"China is the only country with steam locomotives in operation. It has about 400 steam locomotives still working in remote areas," said Yang Zhaojiu, a member of the China Railway Society.

Many places in China have built locomotive museums and developed locomotive tourism.

Shenyang Railway Steam Locomotive Museum in Liaoning Province, for example, houses 16 steam locomotives made in China and eight other countries from 1907 to 1960, including the United States, Japan and Germany. The oldest came from the United States in 1907. 

"Steam locomotives disappeared in Britain in the 1950s," said Andrew J. Scott, curator of British Railway Museum, who has visited many countries to appreciate steam locomotives. "Each steam locomotive records a piece of history," he said.

Liaoning has about 100 steam locomotives in operation and has attracted many tourists. The province will maintain the old machines both as transport vehicles and tourist resources, said Ying Zhongyuan, deputy director of Liaoning Provincial Tourism Administration.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2005)