Efteling is to electrify its steam train service providing an important step for the climate-neutral ambitions of the Dutch theme park.
Since the arrival of the first steam locomotive Aagje 55 years ago, the trains have been running on coal. As Efteling wants to be climate-neutral by 2030 and aims to be climate-positive by 2032, all of the family of trains are set to become more sustainable.
Efteling will therefore gradually electrify the current steam locomotives, with the first one set to be introduced during the upcoming Winter Efteling.
The appearance of the trains will be retained, only the propulsion will be modified. To approximate the nostalgic experience of a steam train ride as much as possible, show effects will be added. As such, the Efteling Steam Train Company will remain the Efteling Steam Train Company.
Efteling stated that the revamped design “preserves the nostalgic atmosphere and thus the current experience as much as possible.”
The supplier as narrow-gauge specialist Alan Keef Ltd of Herefordshire, UK, who highlight the importance of the train’s nostalgic value. “We are greatly looking forward to putting our many years’ of experience and passion to work on this wonderful project at Efteling,” says Patrick Keef, Managing Director at this family-owned company.
“It really is a special undertaking, where we can put our extensive experience in electrifying trains to good use. Of course, we will undertake this with a keen awareness of the historical value and uniqueness of the steam trains. And ensuring that whatever we remove is preserved for its historical value.”
The Efteling Steam Train Company has a storied history – dating all the way back to 1969. This company covers all steam locomotives, stations, platforms and routes in the Efteling theme park.
In the 1960s, Efteling wanted a train in the park to transport visitors from the entrance to the swimming pool and back. The steam locomotive Aagje, from the Arnhem brickworks IJsseloord, with a 60cm gauge track is just right. She is embellished with extra brass work and the carriages are built by Efteling itself, to Anton Pieck’s designs. He also drew the (two) stations on the then 1800-metre stretch of track. From 1984, prior to the arrival of the Python roller coaster, the track was extended to a circular ride.
Since then, the complete steam train track totals three and a half kilometres. Four locomotives have transported visitors through Efteling: Aagje (1911), Moortje (1907), Neefje (1914) and Trijntje (1991). Neefje retired in 2001 and has since stood as a photo object on the Sint Nicolaasplaetsopposite Marerijk Station.
Image: Efteling
