The iconic Efteling steam train that transports passengers around the theme park will be electric-powered in the future as per a recent announcement.
Since the arrival of the first steam locomotive Aagje 55 years ago, the trains have been running on coal.
Efteling wants to be climate-neutral by 2030 and aims to be climate-positive by 2032. To achieve this ambition, it is necessary to ensure the trains are 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 trains appearance will be retained only the propulsion will be modified. To keep the experience authentic there will be show effects added and the ‘Steam Train Company’ name will remain.
The revamped design preserves the nostalgic atmosphere and thus the current experience as much as possible. That was a key principle in the brief for supplier and narrow gauge specialist Alan Keef Ltd of Herefordshire, UK.
The Efteling Steam Train Company was founded in 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 Nicolaasplaets opposite Marerijk Station.
I personally feel whilst this is great for the environment it’s one steam train, just one. Couldn’t they just keep the authentic steam train as is? Having it electric is great in so many ways but I can’t help but feel the authenticity and the magic is in the class and history of Efteling and whilst positive in so many ways, there’s a little magic lost here as a result.
