Two of the Netherlands' oldest villages, stunning tulip fields,
iconic windmills, and beautiful coastlines are the backdrop for a
rail journey aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. Whistles blow, coal
is shoveled. The unmistakable sound of wheels against the rails
makes it easy to imagine that the journey is taking place centuries
ago when steam engines and tramways were the premier way to get
from one destination to the next.
Between stations, the route is a feast for the eyes. Fields of
tulips overtake the landscape in the spring months, and vast
meadows offer a tranquil contrast to the hustle and bustle of the
cities and villages through which the train passes. Unrestricted
views of traditional Dutch windmills delight travelers, as do the
pretty lakeside scenes in Medemblik on the shores of Ijsselmeer
Lake. The scenic journey takes about an hour to complete. After the
Medemblik Steam Train stations at the unique, elevated Medemblik
Station, passengers have the choice to ride the train back to Hoorn
or board the museum's historic steamship, the Friesland, for a
cruise across the lake to Enkhuizen. A standard NS Railway Service
train returns guests to Hoorn from Enkhuizen - thus completing the
"Historic Triangle."
The journey is just part of what makes the Medemblik Steam Train so
impressive; indeed, the beautifully restored rolling stock are
attractions in and of themselves. Authentic steam trains from the
early 1900s or late 1800s head most excursions on the line. All
other trains on the timetable utilize bogie tram cars featuring
wooden bench seating or padded chairs. Some train carriages feature
operable windows, while others use large picture windows instead.
Each train's composition makes the trip unique.
