Efteling Steam Train Company
The Dutch 'Efteling Stoomtrein Maatschappij' or properly translated "Efteling Steam Train Company"[1] is a 600 mm (1 ft 11 5⁄8 in) narrow gauge passenger line in the theme park Efteling, the Netherlands.
History
The line was constructed in 1968 using Second-hand Cockerill rails in a U-shaped track around the park with a station at each end. Both stations had a wye or rail triangle enabling the locomotives to run chimney-first at all times. In 1984 the line was extended to a circular track. Nowadays there are three platforms along the line, at the Adventure and Fairy realms, plus one station for the fairy characters to board. Ride length: since 1984 3 km, covering the inner part of the park in a circle.
Locomotives
- Aagje (1911): The first locomotive bought, 'Aagje' an Orenstein & Koppel, was, at that time, still in operation at the IJsseloord Brickworks in Arnhem. Aagje started her ‘fairy duty’ in 1969.
- Moortje (1908): After hard labor in a Belgian coalmine she became operational in the Efteling in 1974
- Neefje (1914): Originally a fireless steam locomotive. Operational in the Efteling in 1979- retired 2001. This particular locomotive is named after Kees Neve, who rebuilt and delivered Aagje, Moortje and Neefje for The Efteling. He was a well-known person among Dutch narrow gauge enthousiasts.[2]
- Trijntje (1992): Built by Alan Keef,[3] operational in the Efteling in 1992. She is 3.90 metres long and 1.53 metres broad. She weighs about 7,000 kilos and her colour is 'Anton Pieck Red'.
- A Diema (German locomotive manufactorer) diesel locomotive for maintenance purposes.
Each locomotive pulls six carriages which were designed by Anton Pieck. He also designed the locomotive tenders, not an original feature on this type of small locomotives.
References
- ↑ http://www.efteling.co.uk/EN/EN-Home/thepark/thepark-Attracties/Attracties-Stoomtrein.html
- ↑ http://www.nicospilt.com/index_neve.htm 'Locomotieven van de heer Neve' or 'locomotives from mister Neve'
- ↑ http://www.industriespoor.nl/Hoofdstuk29.pdf ALAN KEEF, Ross-on-Wye GB Keef K38 type Bt bwj. 1991 spw. 600 mm, 1991- De Efteling Kaatsheuvel
External links
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