Last run of the season

Last Sunday, the local heritage railroad company MBS ran the last trains for the season. It was a quiet autumn day. The sun just gave sufficient heat to vapourise the fog away and to reveal the red leaves. From a distance the steady white plume of smoke of the small black Swiss steamer could already be discerned and whistle broke the silence in sleepy Haaksbergen.

The newly placed pedestrian bridge from 1888 fits nicely in the scenery.

In the open engine house, a small rail bus is standing idle. This German pig's snout is shining beautifully. The proud volunteer kindly speaks of his double engine. It has to be double clutched to change gears. A skill that not many of us have acquired. And of the new upholstery with old fabric from an old English textile mill.

The Swiss steamer passes the Austrian coaches and is hooked on with the cab reversed, ready for the short leg to Boekelo.

In Boekelo there is plenty of warm coffee in the engine house, which helps to warm the cold fingers.

Within the engine house, many finished and restored coaches can be enjoyed, as well as the many restoration projects for the near future. And just to be clear: no trespassing! The small black steamer is a mighty engine.