J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Chinese Class QJ (Quian Jin)" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands First Day Cover for the 55c Chinese Class QJ 2-10-2 stamp issued August 23, 1996. China has the distinction of being the last country to use steam locomotives in regular mainline service. Class Qjs (Quian Jin) are the largest, heaviest, most powerful and efficient Chinese steam locomotives in regular working order. Also referred to as "Advance Forward" or "March," Class Qjs were constructed by Datong Locomotive Works in Shanxi Province. Class Qj prototypes were built in 1956 in Dalian, Tangshan, Shenyang, Mudanjiang and Changchun, but it wasn't until 1958 that full-scale production of Class Qjs are Shenyang, Mudanjiang a production began. Thousands are still running across China today. Class Qjs weigh 273.8 tons, are 15.5 feet high and 95.75 feet long. They were designed to run 50 miles per hour and are universal steam locomotive -- transporting both freight and passengers. Although the production of Class Qjs officially ceased in the late 1980's, a few may have been constructed since for industrial use. Image Size: 10 x 13.25 in. Overall Size: 13.5 x 17.75 in. Unframed. (B15435)