railography photo galleries : Spain : P.V. 2-6-0s : 80-PV04-0197 : (14 of 14)

Pulling Away

No.13 restarted a long train of empties from Paramo del Sil after crossing No.31 on loads on the afternoon of 3 January 1981.

This was the last shot of the trip and within the hour I was on my way home. I returned to Ponferrada the following winter but found all the line work in the hands of newly arrived diesels with steam restricted to shunting and trips between Villablino and the local mines. The weather was appalling and I didn't get a single decent picture all trip.

The last few steam locos continued in service as late as 1989. The line remains in operation with diesels hauling coal from Villablino to the power station at Cubillos.