In discussing foreign steam operations, had the opportunity to visit Europe with family in 1971. Visited Taragona, Spain and popped into the fenced railroad yard there - where steam operation had been previously reported - but found, alas, rusting, dead locomotives. Did get to inspect a Beyer-Garrett. Next, in Italy, spotted an Italian State Ry 2-8-0 simmering quietly on a work train. Viewed, from a high spire in the Vatican, a steam-powered passenger train puffing out of town.
Next, took a train from Paris to Luxembourg, and spotted a rusting SNCF 4-8-4 next to engine facilities. We rented a car in Luxembourg, and crossed the border to Germany (was surprised to find armed French soldiers guarding the border entrance to Germany - guess they were making sure the Germans didn't take Paris again!) and was promptly greeted by two 2-10-0's running light. Next day, visited the engine terminal in Trier and witnessed perhaps 100 live steam locomotives, arrayed around a turntable and fan tracks plus another roundhouse stuffed to the gills with live locomotives. One German railroader guided me over to a steam rotary snow plow. It was like Roanoke in 1950!
In '72, visited Oulu, Finland and was greeted in our hotel bed by the sounds of a 2-8-0 barking by. It was a switcher for local industries. Was able to cadge a ride in the cab for the balance of the morning. Went up to Rovaniemi, Lapland (it sits on the Arctic Circle), and found a wood-burning 2-8-0 in the engine house. Dead, alas.
There was much, much more steam operating in Europe in 1971, but steam reconnaissance information was quite limited, as was time!
