RAIL STUDY OF KUANG-CHOU (CANTON), CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04743A000200030024-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 32
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 9, 2004
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: October 31, 1963
• Content Type: MF

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Manufacturing and Services Division, ORR
UX1 ATTENTION
THROUGH Chief, Requirements Branch, Reconnaissance Group, CGS
FROM Chief, CIA/PID (NPIC)
Declass Review by NGA
UBJECT Rail Study of Kuang-chou (Canton), China
REFERENCES (1) ORR Requirement C-RR3-80,542
(0 CIA/PID Project No. C 1248-63
I. This memorandum is in answer to the above referenced reouirement
concerning a aetail analysis of the rail complex serving Canton and its
environs. This memorandum is the second and final part of the study covering
this complex.
The completion of this study was made possible through a complete
analysis of all available overflight phonography of the Canton Area obtained
during the period between 1958 and 1963. The photo missions scanned for this
study are:
Of these missions listed above, items "a", "c", and "f" were selected and used
extensively throughout this study. Items "a" and "c" were selected on the basis
111' photo quality and time span between missions. This selection provided the
necessary prerequisites for good quality PI material with a time base long enough
permit comparative analysis and search for any indications of new construction
within the complex. Item "f4, although the most recent of the group, was of very
1->? - photo quality and therefore was utilized only to corroborate some of the
Findings gleaned from the earlier material; and where possible, extend the develop-
ment to the beginning of 1963-
J. In addition to a complete search and analysis of available photography,
similar search was made for existing reports, charts and diagrams of the rail
c-m1)1eex, for use as a base for changes and additions that have taken place within
the above mentiontA time, period. A selection for a single base from the items
collected was not practicable because of the base itself; that. is, most. o" them
wore either in error, too old and/or too cluttered. So it was necessary tc
prep,re a photo mosaic (See-Figure #l). To this base the resultant .analysis is
added through the use of overlays. Also, suppl mental enlargements of the more
important facilities have been provided herein (See Figures 2-8).
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A
:31l1TECT: Rail Study of Kuang-chou (Canton), China
4. The photo mosaic was made large enough to include the areas of search
included in the first memorandum of this requirement concerning the overall
;hip count, within the Canton Area. In addition, this graphic will probably be
usea as a base for your requirement now with the Industrial Branch, which
concerns the Canton Port Area and the Whampoa Naval Base.
~. The Canton Area is served by single track lines from the north, east
and south. There are several indicators of provision for future expansion to
ruble track with the newly constructed bridges and road beds in the western
ip-:.rt of the city. only two passing-sidings were observed within close proximity
tc the city. One on the line entering from the north; and, the other on the
line enteri ng the city from the east. These areas are located just beyond the
LLmiLs of coverage contained herein. These sidings are: (1) two track :,idings
off the main line approximately 8 nm NNW of the city at 23 14N/113 13E; (2)
possible two track siding off of the main line approximately 15 nm ENE of Canton
,t .?3 O7N/1l3 31E (See Locator Map for position). Considerable expansion has
taken place within the Canton rail complex du:ing the 1958-1963 period. The
major areas of expansion are as follows:
- A new prucable branch line under construction - a.nproximat_ely
o rim of road bed in various stages of construction beginning at the main
line at. 23 llN,/ll3 14E continues on a northeasterly course to a point
.[)proximately one nautical mile west of White Cloud Airfield (See
Locator Map).
P. New highway railroad bridge (two sections) has been constructed
:since 1958. Only the bridge piers were present on the 1958 photography.
Since 1958, the set of piers under construction at that time just off
he southern tip of Niu-kusha (Island) at 23 07N/113 11E appear to have
been abandoned for a new set which is located just west of the original.
Although the bridges and approaches are single track, provisions have
been made for H. double track. Storage along the track in several spots
Lends to indicate accumulation of equipment for construction of the
second track to begin in the near future (See Figure 1).
Branch line serving a new industrial complex south of Canton
r?eportedLy to be an iron and steel complex (See Figure #1).
.i, New rail construction in and around the "triangle" north of
L.he efty consisting of (1) new turning wye, (2) new 3 track yard
under construction, (3) new beds indicating several spurs in various
stages of construction (See Figures 1-3).
uveral new spurs being added to serve new industries in
the area under development east of Canton (See Figure 1).
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f. New yard has been added to support the Huang-pu Railroad
Terminal (See Figure 7).
b. In addition to the overlay showing the overall view of the Canton
rail complex, any yard having associated repair and/or maintenance facilities
is treated seperately herein to show the degree of change or type of activity.
These yards are as follows:
a. Locomotive repair and maintenance - the only locomotive repair
facility in Canton is located in the northwest section of the city at
23 09N/113 14E. This area contains approximately 10 large buildings,
about 25 smaller miscellaneous buildings and a turning wye (See Figure 2).
The Larger heavy constructed buildings appear to be equipped to handle
major repair and maintenance assignments. This yard has almost doubled
in building floor space since 1958. Those buildings underlined with
white tape on the overlay to Figure #2 are new since 1958;?in addition
iL( t:h.ese, several smaller buildings have been added during this same
period.
Kuang-ch,_)u Railroad Yards and Shops, Hsi-tsun
(See Figure 3). This yard and facilities appear to be equippea perform
major car repair and maintenance assignments. The buildings within
,,.his area that are new since 1958 include the large building underlined
-_1 the accompanying overlay to Figure #3 and all of the other buildings
within close proximity to it; and the large building located approximately
7001 NE of it. Also, other developments since 1958 include (See letters
'n Figure J):
(1) Area "A" includes a new by-pass line with a yard
underconstructi_nn. This by-pass line replaces the old line
shown at "B". The old bed appears to be in various stages
of dismantlement.
(2) Area "C" is where the rail spur serving White
Cloud Airfield connected with the old by-pass line. It is
now connected to the new by-pass line (See also Figure 1).
(3) Area "D" is a new line connecting a large turning wye
to the new rail construction.
(4) Sc-'a.rring with new grading suggestive of a possible
rail bed under construction.
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 Approved For Release 2004/05/05 : CIA-RDP78TO4743A000200030024-4
SUBJECT: Rail Study of Kuang-chou (Canton), China
C. Probable transshipment area and yard (See Figure 4). This area
e:-:sontially the same as it appeared in 1958, except the rail spur
uinotated "B" is a new development. A possible station may be associated
with the yard shown in the upper right portion of Figure #4.
ci. Passenger station and car m int n nc area, this may be the
Kuang-chou Railroad Repair Shops SE (See Figure 5). This
area consists of -,i large passenger station and several buildings probably
ter.gageo in passenger car maintenance activity. Since 1958, the large
(1500' in 1963) building was extended to its present length; a long
building north of t.ie 200' x SO' building in the car service area has
rem-oved: and several- small buildings have been added in the service
:areea. Several maps indicate rail spurs branching from this line between
the rail terminus and the intersection with the mainline, this section of
?._,i 1 I,imea,rs to he el-in of any old or new rail spurs branching from the
1 lee (as is indicated on Figure 1) .
The K-uang-chou Railroad Classification Yards, Wong-sha (Scce
ire -). This area is essentially the same as it appeared in 1978
I)xcept :
,1) The coal handling and storage area appears to have
shifted from this area to the newly constructed yards at the
Huang-pu Railroad Terminal Yard. For the comparison between 1958
end 1%2 compare Figures 6 and 8. For comparison of the Huang-pu
Yards see Figure 7.
(2) Minor additions have been constructed in the western
tart of the yard. These being maintenance/storage-type structures,
two of which are underlined by tape on the accompanying overlay to
Figure n .
(3) A large area has been reclaimed from the river just
northwest of the yard area. This area will probably be used as a
t.,;r wf, are and probably for small industries is indicated by
rirew ronstrniction there on the later photography. (See Item "A"
Figure b).
(4+) Only one major change has developed in the rail-to-river
traffic, this is the addition of two probable grain handling fa.cil-
D.ies as indicated by Item "B" on Figure 6.
Huang-pu Railroad Terminal Yard. This yard has changed
con:s?ider;tbly since 1958 as is indicated by the three-way comparison in
Figure 7. These changes include:
iui 10.
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GUEJECT: Rail Study of Kuang-chou (Canton), China
~1) A new rail spur has been constructed from the terminal
Line west of the port area to an unidentified island in the river.
core a yara ann handling facilities for coal have been mT?ieted
.,ince U-456.
(2) New storage area (still U/C in 1963) has been adced along
Lh(-, river east of the port area since 1958 (See item "B" - F'iurF 7).
This area will be rail served when completed.
( j) The large sawmill industry located west of the pc r+
(`cue Item "A" - Figure 7), has been replaced by other probable
re 1.1 industrial facilities.
o,. Kuang-chou Railroad Yards, Shin-wei-tang (See Figure 8). This
,re: i; essentially the same as it was in 1958, and like its ass eiated
yiru across the Chu-chiang (River), this lack of activity increase is
probably due to the construction of the new highway and railroad bridge
she west of these yards. This new bridge construction appears +n have
cut to a minimum the amount of rail traffic passing from yard to yard
-tcrcss the river via ferry boats. Today, both yards are probable used
in support Oi river-port type traffic. The area annotated "search light
uni-" is given or some maps as a hook spur - this is actually 4 road
serving the unit and its supporting buildings.
(. The analyst assigned to this project was who may
he contacted directly on extensio uhould you have any questions concerning
,hi study .
EN(:LOSUREE :
Annotatea Photo Mosaic w/Overlay (CIA/PID/IB-P-590/63)
I Annotated Locator Map (CIA/PID/IB-P-654/63)
"I? Annotated Photo EnLa.rgements w/Overlays
(CIA/PID/IB-P-63:9/63 thru P-624/63) and (CIA/PID/IB-P-628/63)
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75x 50'
200x3Q'/ 160x35'
75x 60
' 150x60
230x35'
30'x 50'
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1 T- )PA 'LTV: 'RANSnHIPMENT AREA
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1200'x 30'
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SPUR LINE
AND YARD U/C
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PROBABLE CAR
MAINTENANCE AREA
RR FERRY
LAND! NGS
 Pis \
=F?! IX,~ U/C ift
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 FOR DETAIL
SEE FIGURE 2
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FOR DETAIL
SEE FIGURE 4
FOR DETAIL FOR DETAIL
SEE FIGURE 3 SEE FIGURE 5
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FOR DETAIL
SEE FG4JRE 7
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FOR DETAIL
SEE FIGURE 3
FOR DETAIL.
SEE FIGURE 6
FOR DETAIL
SEE FIGURE 8
FCR DETAIL
SEE FIGURE 5
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 UNDER CONSTRUCTION
2 PRACK
i 4 TRACK
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OVERLAY DATA OMMED FROM PHOT qpW
3TRACK
3 TRACK , 9
PROBABLE 3 TRACK )ARC
UNDER CONFrRUCTpB
JNUHR
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
1'R2
4 1MCM(
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OVERLAY?MUVGER 2 70
IB 277/63
1
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 PROBABLE 3 TRACK YA-RO
JNOER CONSTRUCT"ON
Jr OER
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APPROXIMATELY 9 TRACK
4TRACK
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RAILROAD FERRY POINTS
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TURNTABLE
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1
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2 TRACK
 WANG App 'Fjel(C r ff o ff yDP7Cffr ff 200030024-4
AND VICINITY
UNCONTROLLED PHOTO MOSAIC
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