Small is beautiful ! The "Yvonne" was built in 1893, making it one of the oldest preserved Belgian steam locomotives. This small 0-4-0 locomotive has had an eventful history of different owners in various industries. Sometime in the twenties he ended up with the company Fouquet, which rented out heavy industrial equipment from its location in Vilvoorde. The locomotive was rented out for all kinds of logistical assistance with major infrastructure, canal and harbor works, often running on provisionally constructed tracks. After being scrapped in the late 1950s, the Yvonne was bought up in the 1980s by a newly established museum railway from Vilvoorde, which however ceased to exist in 1992. This is how the locomotive ended up at the Maldegem steam center where it was recently moved to its original state was restored. The original steam boiler from 1893 was still in excellent condition. From now on, the Yvonne will make family outings during the Maldegem steam days. Cynical that this little locomotive had been a few miles from my door for so many years without my knowing it. Image size: 260 x 360 mm