Steam trains and museum trams: railway heritage on the move
Four Dutch lines bring railway history to life. Amsterdam’s museum tram does not run on 18 October.
Railway heritage need not stand still in a gallery. Museumstoomtram Hoorn–Medemblik describes a historic triangle linking Enkhuizen, Hoorn and Medemblik by steam tram and boat. It also offers a steam-tram return journey between Hoorn and Medemblik.
The Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij runs along the railway between Apeldoorn and Dieren, which is more than a century old. The society calls Beekbergen station the heart of its living museum, with a steam depot and a substantial rolling-stock collection. The VSM grew from an initiative in 1975 and is run by volunteers.
In Zeeland, Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele holds Lego Days on 18, 20, 21 and 25 October. Children can build with Lego and Duplo aboard a moving train; regular fares apply. The Halloween Express runs on 30 and 31 October and costs €29.50 per person, with tickets sold online only. The operator explicitly says it is not a children’s programme and advises against bringing children under twelve.
Amsterdam’s electric museum tram does not run on Sunday 18 October because of the Amsterdam Marathon. Its final operating day is Sunday 25 October. The tram temporarily departs from Jachthavenweg/Jollenpad; a historic shuttle bus runs from Haarlemmermeerstation to the tram depot. Subsidence on the track means the tram terminates at Molenweg stop in Amstelveen. Since 11 October, buses and trams have run every 45 minutes on a revised timetable.
The VSM offers train services, special events and visits to Beekbergen museum station. At Hoorn–Medemblik, steam tram and boat journeys can be combined. Amsterdam’s museum tram follows a shortened route to Molenweg stop.
In Hoorn, Museumkaart holders and children under four travel free on the steam tram and boat; special journeys and events may carry a surcharge. In Goes, the departure point is Albert Plesmanweg 23.