I was promised a surprise by my wife when I visited Florence’s Careggi hospital this week for a check-up. I thought the surprise might be the magnificent propylaeum-style entrance, with its fine array of tall slim columns and the expanse of the water basin, designed by the Ipostudio group of architects, inaugurated in 2010 and uniting the hospital group, commenced in 1912 to replace the six hundred year old Santa Maria Nuova Hospital.

Instead the surprise was this steam locomotive dating from the end of the nineteenth century, made by the Marshall firm in the UK, recently restored and now gracing the piazza of the portico.

The locomotive made a striking contrast to the trams which now connect the hospital to Scandicci.

Originally built to power farm machinery such as threshers the venerable machine was brought back into service in the energy-lean years at the end of World War Two where it generated electricity for the hospital.

It was lovely to come across this piece of the past and see it given a place of honour at Careggi hospital. After all, the Marshall steam engine also played its part during difficult times in helping doctors and nurses to heal the sick.