I saw trains on the line between Da Nang and Quang Tri -- in the northernmost sector of what was then South Vietnam -- numerous times in 1969 and 1970 when I was in the U.S. Army. Freight and passenger (sometimes mixed trains) operated with U.S.-built GE narrow gauge diesels while some work trains still used steam locomotives.

I was able to ride the line between Da Nang and Hue (and back) in the spring of 1970 behind (and on) U.S. built diesels.

At that time, the line was out of service north of Quang Tri, well before reaching the DMZ. The line was also out south of Da Nang. (And, of course, the bridge over the Ben Hai River in the DMZ -- the border between North and South Vietnam -- had been blown up.) When there was a motive power shortage on that segment, additional GE diesels were brought in from further south by ship.

Amazingly, the line over the Hai Van pass between Da Nang and Hue managed to remain open most of the time I was there, despite the line going over some very rugged terrain -- with only a very few military guard posts along the line.

-- Ernest