We have two narrow gauge steam trains that operate in our area. One of them runs only about 100 m from my house. After so many years of seeing them I find myself taking them for granted at times.

it is often said we do not appreciate our own backyard so to speak, there is one of those near my daughters and the children go for rides during the summer months

Thanks for the images, Larry. The railroads of the American West really fascinate me. For the last 50 years, I have lived near one part of the Denver & Rio Grande or another. Over the last 135 years, there were six railroads and numerous spur lines operating in the Four Corners region. My new focus is to research and photograph these abandoned lines.
Bill

Now you have me going:
"The flaunting flag of progress. Is in the West unfurled, The mighty bush with iron rails. Is tethered to the world" (Henry Lawson: 'Roaring Days'.)
Pic below shows No 2 (hardly a fitting end). I first rode No 2 as a six yr old in 1951 and for years after whenever I could catch a ride for a half mile piece of my "walk" to a bush school. Occasionally I got to throw coal into the firebox. Sugar cane property in Queensland, Australia. 24" gauge.
Larry

Very nice pic, Larry. She looks so sad! She deserved a better end! 24" gauge, huh? That was run on a private line? Was that gauge common in Australia?
Bill

For the farms to supply their mill. Mill to port 3'6". When mechanical harvesters replaced long stick cutting, bins on trucks took over, and the small locos died out. Australian gauges 3'6'', 4'8.5" and 5'3", state by state choice. Early trip to boarding school was by steam (750 miles, 3 trips each direction each year, 2nd division of the mail train, up to 12 hours late not uncommon) and later by diesel (Sunlander).
Larry