It is wierd, people tend to go far away from home to see things. The farther away the better it seems to be. And yet, there are often so many nice things to see around the place where you life.
So I was yesterday doing my weekly shoppings when I noticed it was very busy around the local railroad station. This railroad is not in use anymore, but is a museum these days.
After informing what was going on, I found out that the museum had an open day.
So I went home and picked up my camera and had a look there.
Around 1884 this local raidroad (with stations and all that belongs to it) was found on an initiative of the textile industry that was very important in this part of the country). It was mainly used to transport coal to the big plants around this area. Because of the lower used speed it was cheaper to build these railroad then to use those of the Dutch Railroads.
The end of transport of coal and other wares was not luckily not the end of this local raid road (as happened to so many other Dutch local railroads). In 1967 the “Museum Buurt Spoor” (Local Raidroad Museum) was founded.
Not only they have a large collection of rolling material, they also tried to create an authentic historical atmosphere on the stations and around the tracks. In which they succeeded very well. Especially the station in the town of Haaksbergen is desire for the eye.
During the weekends during spring/summer and on special occasions their trains ride from Haaksbergen to Boekelo with a stop at Bad Boekelo. For a small payment you ride along. Something I suggest anyone to do once, because it is great fun to do.
As said it is very nice to ride in these historical trains, watching the beautiful landscapes of the local area go by, talking to the other people who travel along and the volunteers of the MBS (all dressed up in historical costumes).
One warning though… don’t wear bright and light colored clothes when coming here when the steam engine are rolling around, you clothing with surely get a new design… but then again, who cares about that? ;).
Funny detail for me was that on the station in Boekelo I ran into someone I knew from long ago. So on my way back I had nice company to chat with.
So… another well spend afternoon. I love these old trains… as many do. When I was younger I had miniature eclectic railroad. I loved to work on that, but this is the real thing. Real working and very good maintained. Many of it renovated by the volunteers of the MBS themselves. A great job…
… and there is still a lot to do for them…
But somehow I have a feeling they don’t mind that….. 🙂
Last year I have taken my parents there. They enjoyed it a lot. We combined it with a dinner in Boekelo.
I read that they also have sometimes these brunches and dinner on board. That is something I want to try in the near future.
Old trains are so beautifull. I really love trains (as long as i travel them for fun)
The old railroad and stations in Haaksbergen and Boekelo are very beautifull. I really enjoy seeing the volunteers keeping this part of history alive.
I have still got Minitrix small scale train set. Very nice and fun (and time consuming 😀