Museumspoorlijn STAR

Om museet

The line from Veendam via Stadskanaal to Musselkanaal is a remnant of the regional rail network built in the early 20th century by the Noordooster Locaal Spoorweg (NOLS) and the then railway company "Stadskanaal–Ter Apel–Rijksgrens." From 1905, passenger trains reached Stadskanaal, which developed into a hub of the Veenkoloniën with a locomotive depot and turntable. As roads were expanded, traffic declined: the last regular passenger train to Groningen ran in 1953, and freight traffic also ended in 1990.

To preserve the line, which was threatened with demolition, as an industrial monument, volunteers founded the Stichting Stadskanaal Rail in June 1992. In 1994, the foundation took over rolling stock from a closed heritage railway in southern Germany and ran trains with its own equipment for the first time; that same year the steam locomotive "Emma" entered service, later followed by "Anna," which the volunteers restored themselves. Fixed timetables were introduced in 1995.

In the following years, a workshop (1997) and a station building in Stadskanaal (1998) were built, the latter reminiscent of the former NOLS station. A major project funded with EU money from 2004 brought the renovation of the line, new stops, the acquisition of Veendam station and a carriage shed with museum, coal bunker, water tower and signal box.

Today around 150 volunteers operate the heritage railway with several steam and diesel locomotives, including wartime locomotives of the class 52, as well as dozens of historic carriages. The small museum in the carriage shed tells the story of the line and its stations.

Højdepunkter

• Steam train rides between Stadskanaal and Veendam through the Veenkoloniën
• Steam locomotives of the German class 52 (including 52 8060 and 52 8082)
• Fireless locomotive 6326 from 1913, according to the railway the only operational one of its kind in the Netherlands
• Württemberg wooden-seat carriages from 1905–1912 with a bar car
• Museum in the carriage shed with a driver's seat to try out and a cinema room

Permanente udstillinger

• Museum Stadskanaal – Small exhibition in the carriage shed at the station on the history of the line, its former stations and its route, with a cinema room and a driver's seat to try out.

Grundlagt

1992

Ejer

Stichting Stadskanaal Rail (STAR)

Entrépriser & rabatter

Fares from age 12 on regular ("yellow" and "red") operating days; the standard price shown is for the cheapest route (one-way Stadskanaal–Nieuw-Buinen, red operating days only); the day ticket costs €19. Visiting the museum in Stadskanaal is free. Separate prices apply on special operating days and for packages. The Museumkaart is not valid. Dogs ride free. Tickets online (iDEAL, credit card) or at the ticket counters in Stadskanaal and Veendam (card payment also accepted), and from the conductor at intermediate stops; arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Holders of (family) annual passes ride along; for special trips, a reservation or surcharge may be required.

Tilgængelighed

• Kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator: ingen oplysninger
• Handicaptoilet
• Handicapparkering: ingen oplysninger
• Servicehunde tilladt
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

Stadskanaal station is wheelchair-accessible with an accessible restroom. Wheelchair users can ride along; the number of spaces is limited, so register in advance by email or by phone on the morning of the operating day (also for power wheelchairs). The wheelchair lift carries up to 400 kg. Dogs ride free.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Familieomvisninger & workshops
• Interaktive stationer
• Barnevognsvenlig

In October, "Kindermaand" (children's month) with family operating days and Teddyberendag (children with a teddy bear ride free, teddy bear doctor on the train); in March, Junior Rail Day, plus Sinterklaas and winter rides. Strollers and rollators can be folded and stowed in most carriages. In the museum, children can sit in the driver's seat; there is a miniature railway at the station.

Transport & parkering

Enter the postal code 9503 AD in your GPS; otherwise it's easy to end up in Nieuw-Buinen. Bicycles can be taken on the train for a fee.

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Museumsbutik

Station restaurant in the waiting room of Stadskanaal station on operating days (drinks, ice cream, snacks, lunch); most trains include a bar or buffet car. Souvenirs sold at Stadskanaal station. Several dining trips a year (stamppot, dinner, pancake, Christmas and oliebollen rides).

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Firmaarrangementer
• Bryllupper / vielser

Charter trains with steam or diesel locomotive from €450, presentations in the media room of the carriage shed, catering on the train or in the station restaurant; can be combined with a historic bus from the Nationaal Busmuseum. The Stadskanaal station building is a licensed wedding venue.

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