Train graveyard, Wuchang, Wuhan

I've several weeks off for the Chinese winter holidays now, so it's a great chance to go out and do some exploring of other parts of the country, and so earlier this week I went to Wuhan, the largest city in central China.

It was while walking up the pedestrian stairwell of the 2nd Yangtze Bridge in the Wuchang area to take a shot of the river when I spotted this accumulation of carriages - further investigation seemed appropriate.

It appears to be a holding area for old railway stock - China's new high speed rail system means many old lines and trains are becoming obsolete.

Sign reads "Protection must be worn before working on the tracks".

One carriage's back door was left open, allowing inspection of this style of long distance train.

Below are the second class seats which is also where standing room only travellers would be packed in. You can imagine it bustling decades ago, reeking of smoke, body odour and Chinese toilet, crying children, caged animals and who knows what everywhere.

There was a cabin with this in in each carriage.

Hard sleeper carriage. These are three-bed bunks - access to the top one would require some physical dexterity.

Dining coach and kitchen

Ticket prices are highest for soft sleeper carriages, which have two sets of more comfortable bunks with a door for privacy.

At this point a man outside started banging on the train and talking in Chinese, so it was time to retreat through the carriage and get out on the opposite side, then under some other trains and extract.