The engine whistles and the fireman shovels coal into the firebox. An adventurous trip to days gone by is about to begin, when steam trams connected ancient towns like Hoorn and Medemblik. Seated in the antique coaches, we listened to the clickety-clack of the wheels, heard the escaping steam and felt the tram move through the timeless Westfrisian countryside.
A friend told me about the steam tram rides between Hoorn and Medemblik, and I immediately booked tickets. We were fortunate to catch one of the trips that passes by the tulip fields in bloom.
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| Hoorn Tram station |
At Hoorn Tram station which is converted in museum we discovered the story of steam trams in Netherlands, covering the 1878 - 1966 period.
The Timeline exhibitions takes us back into history. Small objects, film images, photos and documents tell the story about the steam tram in the Netherlands. The common thread is a timeline in which the highlights of Dutch steam tram history are central.
We were filled with excitement, our hearts racing like those of young kids on a grand adventure. This is an activity that will enchant everyone, from the wide-eyed wonder of children to the nostalgic adults.
The one-way trip takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. During this time, we savoured a traditional apple pie along with some coffee and tea. Fortunately, we had reserved a slice of pie when we bought our tickets; otherwise, there would have been none left.
Along the line there are still eight out of ten old station standing, each one with its special features and quirks. We had a short stop in one of these old stations where we could take a look at the waiting room, the office for the station master, the warehouse for freight transport.
In Medemblik we stopped for one hour and we had the option to go explore the town or have lunch. Guess what we chose? Lunch!!!
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| Medemblik tram station and our tram waiting to take us back to the present moment |
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| Bello - one of the most famous locos in the Netherlands |
In addition to the steam tram ride, it's also possible to take a steam boat, or even enjoy both experiences.
After returning to the present day in Hoorn, we went for a walk through the town. Hoorn used to be the capital of West Friesland and it was one of the main harbours of the VOC (The Dutch East India Company). The riches from abroad brought prosperity to this seaside town although Hoorn declined in significance over time.
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| De Waag |
The Waag is a stunning building in the historic center of Hoorn that was built in 1609. It was used historically as a weigh-house where goods bought and sold could be assessed for its value. It’s now a cozy cafe and it’s worth taking a peek inside! It’s located in the most ‘famous’ square of Hoorn, de Roode Steen.
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| De Roode Steen |
The Roode Steen was named for the blood that once flowed upon these stones. It was the main square used for capital punishments in the past, however now it’s just a lovely market square.
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| The Hoofdtoren |
The Hoofdtoren is a tower used for defense purposes dating back to 1532. Located in Hoorn Harbour, it is an iconic symbol of Hoorn.
With hearts full of joy, we departed, carrying cherished memories of this timeless experience.
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