Desert railway - photo

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Jan 7, 2020, 08:27 PM
Altair

Desert railway - photo

Desert railway in Northwest China's Gansu province.

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...ertrailway.jpg

Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...158#post134554
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...366#post127012
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...928#post133698
Jan 7, 2020, 09:10 PM
Frank S

Just think the way dunes are so fluid in their movements even though areas of that rail are several meters above the surface one day the sand will cover the rails. But at least the Chinese had the fore thought to built it high in the beginning
Jan 8, 2020, 04:24 PM
mwmkravchenko

When you go there and see all the work done in infrastructure it really takes you aback. There is nothing in North America even close.
These people are not afraid to think big and work hard to get it done.

Those qualities are something I'm afraid are gone in Canada and the U.S.
Jan 8, 2020, 04:28 PM
mklotz

More details on the difficulties this RR had to conquer...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingha...3Tibet_railway
Jan 8, 2020, 07:23 PM
Beserkleyboy

Mate, isn't the the truth! The whole rail network over there blew my mind...the concrete sleepers laid on reinforced concrete beds and well ground welded rails allows an absolutely flat ride...at 250kph... after looking at Marv's link (thanks Marv), I found this one. 500M long rails! Lots wrong in China with treatment of some peoples, but their commitment to infrastructure building is amazing...Thanks for the heads up Jon.
Jim in burnt out NSW AUS...nearly 11 million hectares...so far...
Jan 8, 2020, 11:22 PM
jimfols

16,000 feet with a diesel engine. Who woulda thunk it? That's jet engine territory. Thanks all.
Jan 9, 2020, 04:29 PM
sossol

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwmkravchenko

When you go there and see all the work done in infrastructure it really takes you aback. There is nothing in North America even close.
These people are not afraid to think big and work hard to get it done.

Those qualities are something I'm afraid are gone in Canada and the U.S.

They also have more workers than work, so more takers for the low-wage grunt work. Much like the US had once upon a time.

Neil
Jan 9, 2020, 05:06 PM
mwmkravchenko

Quote:

Originally Posted by sossol

They also have more workers than work, so more takers for the low-wage grunt work. Much like the US had once upon a time.

Neil

I've worked in China off and on for 7 years. Be careful when you think that they are all hard done by dollar a day workers. You couldn't be more wrong. The average person in China earns a wage that is comfortable enough in China. It wouldn't work in the U.S. but for where they are they are doing just fine. To much political baloney has been spread about the working people in China. When you are there it is quite an eye opener. In a great many ways China is far ahead of most Western countries. And like many Western countries has areas that are. Telecoms, Payments. Everything can be paid for with your cellphone if you want. People work hard because they are a money driven community. Money is a security. As of now there is no state run pension system. There is no personal income tax. Wouldn't that be nice!

When I'm there I can get things made at very high quality standards by very skilled people for usually less than the cost of the raw material here in Canada. And what blows me away is that everyone in the chain of supply, purchase and production is still making a living. Nothing is free in China.

And knowing factory owners I can tell you first hand that there are indeed shortages of workers. It all depends where and when. Just like any other larger country.
Jan 9, 2020, 06:13 PM
Beserkleyboy

Thanks for that info, mate. We were only there as tourists for 3 weeks. I'm nearly the tour guide's PIA...asking too many questions about the workings of the economy and infrastructure! I sensed what you say re: wages and standard of living. The average 20-40 yr old seem quite content with their lot in life, but mind you, are very protective of saying ANYTHING that could be construed as against the 'state'. If I may ask, what sort of work did you do there? Cheers

Jim
Jan 9, 2020, 06:43 PM
mwmkravchenko

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beserkleyboy

Thanks for that info, mate. We were only there as tourists for 3 weeks. I'm nearly the tour guide's PIA...asking too many questions about the workings of the economy and infrastructure! I sensed what you say re: wages and standard of living. The average 20-40 yr old seem quite content with their lot in life, but mind you, are very protective of saying ANYTHING that could be construed as against the 'state'. If I may ask, what sort of work did you do there? Cheers

Jim

I design loudspeaker drivers for a few companies all over the world. I get them manufactured by an American owned factory run in Guangzhou Southern China.
Jan 9, 2020, 07:49 PM
Frank S

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwmkravchenko

I design loudspeaker drivers for a few companies all over the world. I get them manufactured by an American owned factory run in Guangzhou Southern China.

There are several American partnered or owned companies in Guangzhou, I used to visit a company named ACL (America China Limited) several times a year. The company I was with in Q8 bought and sold many of their metal working machines. In my factory in Q8 I had one of their 250 ton press breaks and a 250 ton shear also a 120 ton Iron worker plus many more or their machines. I would go there for final inspection and a demonstration of each machine we purchased for use or for sale to insure quality assurance for our customers some of which were in Germany the Netherlands Italy Spain Sweden Rumania Ukraine India and Russia We even sold a few machines to Mexico and here in the USA. Many of the machines made at ACL were painted to preferences and private labeled.
If you knew how to locate the right manufactures over there you cold find top quality machines built to specifications and tolerances as high as anywhere in the world, but you had to go there to do it.
Jan 9, 2020, 08:11 PM
mwmkravchenko

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank S

There are several American partnered or owned companies in Guangzhou, I used to visit a company named ACL (America China Limited) several times a year. The company I was with in Q8 bought and sold many of their metal working machines. In my factory in Q8 I had one of their 250 ton press breaks and a 250 ton shear also a 120 ton Iron worker plus many more or their machines. I would go there for final inspection and a demonstration of each machine we purchased for use or for sale to insure quality assurance for our customers some of which were in Germany the Netherlands Italy Spain Sweden Rumania Ukraine India and Russia We even sold a few machines to Mexico and here in the USA. Many of the machines made at ACL were painted to preferences and private labeled.
If you knew how to locate the right manufactures over there you cold find top quality machines built to specifications and tolerances as high as anywhere in the world, but you had to go there to do it.

Nice!

You can get any quality level you wish to pay for from China. It is as simple as that. It always irritates me when I read people trashing Chinese stuff. Put the blame where it is really the cheap importers.
Jan 9, 2020, 08:21 PM
Beserkleyboy

Wow, great stuff! I was trying to explain to the grandkids about the 12" 3 way front speakers and the AR6 rears...in the workshop...about why they need to be so big, about woofers and voice coils and heavy magnets, dadada...The grand daughter says she prefers her iBuds...but the grandson got the idea when I played 'Back in the USSR' and 'Layla'... LOUD! cheers

Jim
Jan 11, 2020, 02:57 PM
Toolmaker51

China and other areas thought to be third world [not reality] is a form of propaganda. Just like FDR's New Deal, they have inertia, workers and resources, all critical parts in creating a vibrant strong economy.
Same time, our dear USA thinks service based version is the answer. And by service-based I'm including what irritate us, popup adverts, marketing calls and texts, at least half the email spam, to name a few...
I cannot imagine how any get paid; for high percentages of rejected proposals.

Too many fail realization what makes service possible; manufacturing and construction infrastructure, right down to PC's, printer paper, and cubicle walls. If "we" weren't making it, they'd not even have a seat!
Jan 11, 2020, 03:12 PM
Toolmaker51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beserkleyboy

Wow, great stuff! I was trying to explain to the grandkids about the 12" 3 way front speakers and the AR6 rears...in the workshop...about why they need to be so big, about woofers and voice coils and heavy magnets, dadada...The grand daughter says she prefers her iBuds...but the grandson got the idea when I played 'Back in the USSR' and 'Layla'... LOUD! cheers

Jim

Back in the USSR and Layla could make the point, yes. There are many. Plant them in front for "That's all You Need" (Faces) esp Ron Wood's solo bridge. 1971; still gives goosebumps.
Jan 11, 2020, 04:31 PM
Beserkleyboy

TM51...too true. Heaps of albums on regular rotation in the workshop are from 71! (68-75).
ABB Fillmore, Neil and CH, Traffic, Derek and the Dominoes, Who's Next.......dadada. Cheers
Jim...still dodging bushfires...
Jan 15, 2020, 08:38 PM
KustomsbyKent

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwmkravchenko

I've worked in China off and on for 7 years. Be careful when you think that they are all hard done by dollar a day workers. You couldn't be more wrong. The average person in China earns a wage that is comfortable enough in China. It wouldn't work in the U.S. but for where they are they are doing just fine. To much political baloney has been spread about the working people in China. When you are there it is quite an eye opener. In a great many ways China is far ahead of most Western countries. And like many Western countries has areas that are. Telecoms, Payments. Everything can be paid for with your cellphone if you want. People work hard because they are a money driven community. Money is a security. As of now there is no state run pension system. There is no personal income tax. Wouldn't that be nice!

When I'm there I can get things made at very high quality standards by very skilled people for usually less than the cost of the raw material here in Canada. And what blows me away is that everyone in the chain of supply, purchase and production is still making a living. Nothing is free in China.

And knowing factory owners I can tell you first hand that there are indeed shortages of workers. It all depends where and when. Just like any other larger country.

I agree with what you've said above. Lived in Shanghai China for 5.5 years, and I continue to go over there on business trips as well.
Their infrastructure and growth is so impressive, and the work ethic of the people as well. They have turned into a capitalistic society, and communism is just barely there.
Certainly they have their downsides...
Jan 17, 2020, 07:03 AM
mwmkravchenko

Quote:

Originally Posted by KustomsbyKent

I agree with what you've said above. Lived in Shanghai China for 5.5 years, and I continue to go over there on business trips as well.
Their infrastructure and growth is so impressive, and the work ethic of the people as well. They have turned into a capitalistic society, and communism is just barely there.
Certainly they have their downsides...

Any government has it's downsides.