Actively develop the steam locomotive tourism industry, let the long-lost whistle evoke memories and inherit culture

Industrial heritage is landscape and wealth (decoding, cultural heritage and colorful life)

　　Our reporter Xin Yang

　　"People's Daily" (12th edition, July 16, 2020)

The picture shows a steam locomotive slowly approaching. Our reporter Xin Yangshe

Core reading

　　With the advancement of technology, steam locomotives sprayed with thick white mist and sounded low siren have been largely eliminated. However, decommissioning does not mean scrapping. Liaoning Tiemei Group actively develops the steam locomotive tourism industry, awakening the industrial heritage full of historical memory and cultural accumulation.

　　In the vast wilderness, the roar of the siren broke the silence, and a train of steam locomotives came slowly.

　　With the development of train technology, steam locomotives are gradually being eliminated. However, in Diaobingshan City, Liaoning Province, 21 steam locomotives have been kept and are in continuous operation, and an iron-coal steam locomotive museum has been built. Photographers and fans of steam locomotives from home and abroad come here, and it has become a popular location for many movies. The industrial heritage carrying historical memory and cultural accumulation was awakened and “lived” again.

Retired locomotives become tourism resources

　　In the iron-coal steam locomotive museum, driver Lao Yan carefully wiped the parked "upstream" locomotive. The old Yan's name is Yan Shi and he just turned 50. To call him "old" refers to the time he has dealt with the steam locomotive.

　　"It's been more than 20 years to drive a steam locomotive." Lao Yan said that it is his daily job to wipe the car body, oil it, and drive the steam locomotive to pick up and drop mine employees.

　　"When the little train opened, gold flowed everywhere." At that time, the Tiefa mining area, the black coal and the commuting of employees to and from work all depended on the burning fire in these chests, the white mist in the mouth, and the low whistle. To complete the steam locomotive.

　　In 2002, Lao Yan opened a diesel locomotive. "The environment of the new car is much better, but I am used to the vibration and sound of steam locomotives."

　　"Our steam locomotives ceased production in 1988 and gradually ceased to be used in 1996. In the second half of 2002, the traction power transformation of the Railway Transportation Department of the Iron Coal Group was officially launched." Liu Chunshan, head of the Iron Coal Steam Locomotive Museum, said that because of the power transformation, steam There was no maintenance market for locomotives. At that time, the easiest way to deal with decommissioned locomotives was to sell scrap iron or recycle it.

　　However, frequent visits by some domestic and foreign steam locomotive enthusiasts have brought new ideas. "We recognize that retired steam locomotives are also valuable tourist resources." Liu Chunshan said that in order to better protect and use industrial cultural heritage, the Iron Coal Group established the Steam Locomotive Museum.

　　The museum keeps a KD6487 steam locomotive made in 1943. In addition, there are 20 steam locomotives, which are well maintained and can even go online.

　　Since its opening to the outside world in 2000, the iron-coal steam locomotive museum has become increasingly popular. Every year, many foreign tourists come to visit and feel the beauty of the industry passed by the steam locomotive. "The sound of a steam locomotive is like a wonderful symphony." A tourist said: "When these trains disappear on the railway, many people will miss it like me."

　　"Steam locomotives have gradually evolved into a symbol. It carries the memories of a generation's work and life, and has a strong nostalgic complex." Liu Chunshan said.

Characteristic cultural hotels drive peripheral development

　　Steam locomotive tourism not only revitalizes old equipment resources, but also becomes a new economic growth point.

　　The steam locomotive has become a "net red" punching point, and has also been used as the location for more than 140 film and television dramas such as "Generation Master" and "Crossing the Kanto". "In recent years, we have continuously improved the hardware and software facilities of the film and television base, and established cooperation with the film and television city and the filming base. The operating income is considerable." Zhang Hongwei, director of the propaganda department of the Party Committee of the Iron Coal Group, said: "At most, there are thousands of actors participating. Performances are all villagers around."

　　Today, steam locomotive tourism has become a business card for Tieling and even Liaoning tourism. It is understood that the output value of the scenic spot has exceeded 5 million yuan for 5 consecutive years, and the cumulative total output value has exceeded 40 million yuan. "The development of tourism products has begun to take shape." Liu Chunshan said that the iron and coal group has developed a small steam locomotive that is reduced by a quarter of the "upstream" steam locomotive. At present, 3 scenic spots are set up in the scenic area, and special railway lines are also laid. . Tourists can drive and experience the "Dragon" tourist train transformed from 6 original carriages.

　　Liu Chunshan introduced that all steam locomotives in the iron-coal steam locomotive museum can be put on line, and tourists can drive, sightsee, and photograph the scenery along the route. It is known as the "mobile steam locomotive museum". This is the world's steam locomotive museum. rarely seen.

　　Every January, the International Steam Locomotive Tourism Photography Festival is held here. Steam locomotive enthusiasts, photography enthusiasts, tourists, etc. come from all over the world.

　　Xu Changchun, a photography enthusiast from Shenyang, said: "It is not easy to see a steam locomotive now, and it is even more rare for the locomotive to run normally." Some tourists posted on the Internet: I am lucky to have the opportunity to enter the cab. It turns out that the train is driven without a steering wheel. When the wrench is pushed forward, the train will advance, and the whistle will sound when you step on it.

Industrial heritage integrated into urban life

　　In March of this year, the steam locomotive scenic area was reopened.

　　"Through the establishment of exhibition halls and exhibition gardens, special trains, tourism festivals, expansion of film and television bases, and experience of small trains, the scenic area has gradually profited from the initial passenger flow to recent years." Zhang Hongwei said that the scenic area has been exploring how to do better in these years .

　　In 2006, the steam locomotive scenic spot was rated as "National Industrial Tourism Demonstration Spot" by the former National Tourism Administration; in 2009, the scenic spot was rated as "Science and Technology Popularization Base" of Liaoning Province and "Photography Creation Base" of Liaoning Tourism Photography Association, which is "Liaoning" One of the “Ten Tourist Cards” and one of the “50 Best Sceneries Loved by Liaoning Tourists”.

　　"After the company's restructuring, it will add steam trains, upgrade manufacturing technology and professional maintenance technology." Liu Chunshan introduced, "Our next step is to build an industrial heritage cultural tourism and leisure resort complex. In the future, industrial heritage cultural tourism will become a Trends."

　　Industrial heritage records important information at different stages of the industrialization process, bearing the historical memory and cultural accumulation of industries and cities. Mou Dai, deputy director of the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, believes that as part of the urban culture, industrial heritage not only puts a personalized label on the city, but also brings more yearning for the residents living in the city.

　　At the moment, the transformation of industrial heritage is still facing problems such as the imbalance of protection and development, and whether it is applauded or not. Relevant cultural protection experts believe that on the basis of protecting industrial heritage, making it a resource for cultural innovation will enable the city's culture to last forever and develop continuously. The rich industrial heritage belongs not only to the contemporary, but also to the future.