Tracking the rail-ly glorious transformation of China

Early days: In 1963, the Dongfeng diesel locomotive was developed, and the Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Factory started mass producing it to cement its position as the first diesel locomotive manufacturer in China. — Pic provided by CRRC Dalian

THE first railway line in China met with an inglorious end in double quick time 160 years ago.

In 1865, a British merchant built a 600m demonstration railroad outside the Xuanwu Gate in Beijing to show the viability of rail to the imperial court of the Qing Dynasty, China’s last royal dynasty.