Nationaal Modelspoor Museum
Model railway museum in Sneek with the largest collection of Dutch model trains, running layouts, a play corner and push-button stations.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Nationaal Modelspoor Museum in Sneek goes back to the antiques dealer and appraiser Piet Scheltema. He was interested in Dutch model railways and collected them on a scale that earned him publications, a television programme and an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. He described his models in a self-published loose-leaf work on Dutch model railways.
Scheltema wanted to make the collection accessible to others as well. In 1984 he opened a first museum himself on the Gedempte Neltjeshaven; in 1987 it moved to the Kleinzand and was initially open only in summer. After his death in early 1989 the collection was stored with the family for several years. At the suggestion of the then Sneek alderman Herman Scholten, it was transferred on 27 April 1993 to the Stichting Collectie Scheltema and thus preserved for Sneek.
Today the collection comprises about 10,000 models, of which not even 20 percent are on display; the rest is in storage. Besides locomotives, wagons and passenger coaches, the museum collects everyday railway objects. In addition there is the collection of the crime writer Appie Baantjer with his LGB garden railways. The museum shows, among other things, the layout of Kenneth Smit, the German Emsland layout of the Spijkspoor club, “Die Welt in 80 Spuren” and changing layouts from the “Grote Kleine Treinencompetitie”.
Highlights
- Largest collection of Dutch model railways (Piet Scheltema collection)
- Collection of the author Appie Baantjer with LGB garden railways
- Layouts such as the Kenneth Smit railway and the Emsland layout
- “Knopjesmuseum”: children start trains and scenes at the push of a button
- Large play corner for building your own tracks
Permanent exhibitions
- Sammlung Piet Scheltema – Part of the collection of Dutch model trains belonging to the Sneek antiques dealer, who was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest collection of its kind.
- Sammlung Appie Baantjer – The LGB garden railways and accessories of the crime writer, who bequeathed them to the museum.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Stichting Collectie Scheltema
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €8.50free up to age 2 · Children and young people aged 3 to 17; children up to 2 years free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more, please enquire by email or telephone; school groups pay €3 per person. |
| Group tour with one drink (from 10 people) | €14.50Per person. |
| Group tour with a drink and Oranjekoek (from 10 people) | €18Per person. |
| School groups | €3Per person; programme “De Talententrein” for primary-school groups from €5 per child, accompanying adults free. |
Free with the Museumkaart. €1 discount with a library card and with a Märklin, Trix or LGB club card. A surcharge may apply for special exhibitions. Tickets at the box office only (no reservation), payment in cash or by card. Annual passes are available.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entire museum is accessible on one level. Dogs are not allowed, but assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Certified as “kidsproof”; buttons for starting trains and lights throughout the building, a large play corner for building tracks, additional activities during school holidays. Children’s birthday parties with a museum guide, treasure hunt and lemonade (guide price €8.50–10 per person).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pieter Zeemanstraat · 10-min walk · 700 m
From Sneek Centraal station take bus 99 to the stop Pieter Zeemanstraat, then walk about 10 minutes (700 metres) to the museum.
By car
Parking available
Own car park; if it is full, there is a car park opposite with about 200 free spaces (1–2 minutes on foot).
The centre of Sneek is about a 22-minute (1.7 km) walk away; there are free car parks there.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Station restaurant with toasties, cheese and sausage rolls, and hot and cold drinks at family-friendly prices. Museum shop with wooden trains, Majorette models, books, postcards and second-hand model railway material (no web shop).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 50 guests.
Cinema room with a 100-inch screen for about 50 people and a small kitchen; meetings can be combined with a museum tour.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is welcome; photos can be emailed to the museum (for Facebook and the website). |
| Good to know | Volunteers tell visitors about the layouts every day; at each layout there are texts and QR codes with further information. Group tours (from 10 people) including a look into the repair workshop with library (by arrangement only). No reservation required for individual visitors. |
