Steam train in Rondebosch park

I went to the dentist but had some time to kill so went to photograph this old steam train in a park close to where I grew up.  It's looking rather run down but lovely nevertheless. 

Playing with model electric trains as a child

I addition to stamp collecting,  my greatest passion as a kid was to play with my electric model trains. I spent countless hours in the outside room at our house in Bertram Crescent, making them run. My model trains were one of the things that deepened my connection with dad. He was as passionate about trains as I was.

I've just spent a wonderful hour trawling the Internet for photos for some of the exact trains I owned. Pure and utter, glorious nostalgia.

I brought my train collection with me to Sydney but a couple of years ago, I gave them to Andreas's son, Sebastian. They really are meant to be played with rather than collecting dust. He was so ecstatic.

Dad and his amazing trains

Dad's passion was making model steam locomotives. The larger ones he made were capable of pulling seven adults and at school fetes and club family meets, he brought much joy to adults and kids alike. Some of the larger trains he made took up to 6 years to make. They were a real work of art.  Every inch of each train, including even the screws and rivets, was handmade on metal lathes he had in his workshop where he would spend many hours, immersed in his labour of love.

His club friends, including Jimmy, his best friend.

Bringing joy to kids at a school fete

Working on his lathe

Smaller trains he made earlier in his life