STEAM TRAIN WORKER
The doors of the shed open. An impressive and elegant silhouette is slowly wheeled out. Gradually the beautiful details of this ancient piece of heritage emerge. It has been prepared by the steamers and while smoking and hissing it is coupled to the long line of wagons to transport guests from Hoorn to Medemblik.
This is exactly how it has been done since 1887 on this railroad track. After the mid-20th century many locomotives were dismantled to be replaced by electric trains, the realization quickly dawned that this special piece of heritage had to be preserved and continued.
Although it makes sense to opt for the sustainability of electric trains, old-fashioned locomotives still have enormous value for today’s society.
They remind us that steam trains were foundational in shaping our industry and building our machines. Moreover, they show that the beauty of what we consider a ‘simple’mode of transport today truly has value. High-quality, beautiful products are something that too many manufacturers and architects nowadays pay very little attention to.
On the iconic railway line from Hoorn to Medemblik, the steam train passes numerous authentic stations, romantic bridges and a vast tulip landscape. A large number of passionate twenty-somethings work on this railway line, some of them even fulltime. These young people highly value the cultural and historical aspects and even work in traditional clothing. They are an inspiration for the new generation to work in traditional crafts with an understanding of the importance of preserving Dutch culture.