Stoomtrein Dendermonde-Puurs

About the museum

The vzw Belgische Vrienden van de Stoomlocomotief was founded in 1977 to preserve historic railway equipment and use it for tourist trips. It later grew into the vzw Stoomtrein Dendermonde-Puurs. The association is run entirely by volunteers and has its head office and workshop in Baasrode-Noord station.

The railway line itself is line 52 of the NMBS, the stretch between Dendermonde and Puurs that entered service in 1880. Passenger traffic was discontinued in 1980 and freight followed shortly after. In 1986 the first steam locomotive, the Cockerill from 1907, came to Baasrode and test runs began. Since then the line has been operated as a museum railway, and the association is celebrating forty years of museum operation this year. Track repairs between Oppuurs and Puurs continued until 2021; since then the train has again run as far as Puurs. In 2024 the Sint-Pietersburcht halt was added, with a direct connection to the nature playground at the fort.

The collection includes steam and diesel locomotives, wooden carriages, railcars and goods wagons. Some are in working order, and some are being restored in the workshop. Alongside the regular running days in summer, the association organises events such as Scheldeland in Stoom, tasting trips and the Sinterklaas-Express.

Highlights

• Steam train rides on a museum line between Baasrode-Noord and Puurs along the Scheldt
• Historic steam and diesel locomotives, wooden carriages and railcars
• Workshop with restoration projects, accessible on running days
• On-board catering with local beer; bicycles travel free
• Events such as Scheldeland in Stoom and the Sinterklaas-Express

Permanent exhibitions

• Historisch rollend materieel – The association owns steam and diesel locomotives, wooden carriages, railcars and wagons; some are in working order, others are being restored.
• Museumspoorlijn Baasrode-Noord–Puurs – A ride on the steam train along the Scheldt on line 52, with stops at five stations and a visit to the workshop on running days.

Founded

1977

Operated by

vzw Stoomtrein Dendermonde-Puurs

Admission & discounts

2026 rates for the regular running days; adult day ticket (12+) €15. Events have their own rates (for example the Sinterklaas-Express: adult €17, child aged 2 to 12 €15, baby free). On regular running days you buy a day ticket online; a single journey can be paid on board to the conductor in cash, Bancontact or Payconiq. Teachers with an official teacher’s card receive a discount code from Klasse korting for the adult day ticket (online and on regular running days only). Bicycles and dogs travel free on regular running days.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

There is a family day ticket, and children under 6 travel free. Around Saint Nicholas’ Day the Sinterklaas-Express runs for families. At the Sint-Pietersburcht halt a paved walking route leads to the nature playground by the fort.

Getting there & parking

The train stops at Baasrode-Noord, Sint-Amands, Oppuurs, Sint-Pietersburcht and Puurs (Seinhuiskaai); you can get on and off at every stop. The museum address is Fabriekstraat 118 in Baasrode. Cyclists take their bicycles along free of charge.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

On the train there is catering with local beer and soft drinks. Toilets and catering are available at Baasrode-Noord and Puurs stations. There is an online bookshop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The steam train can be hired for your own event (“Uw eigen trein”), and there are packages such as “Industrieel erfgoed langs de Schelde” and “Diner Express”. Photo shoots on the grounds in Baasrode are only possible by appointment and for a fee.

Plan your visit