Mash-pot ride
2025-12-01 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-08 17:00 - 19:30 UTC
Enjoy the winter landscape and good food? That’s possible on Sundays 8 and 22 February and Sunday 8 March 2026. During a train ride along the border of Groningen and Drenthe, a delicious Dutch mash pot is served. A unique opportunity to dine on a moving train!
Eating on the train used to be very common. Even in the Netherlands, domestic (express) trains had a restaurant car. Nowadays, you’ll only find this in a few international trains. But at Museumspoorlijn STAR, it is once again possible. On Sundays 2 and 16 February and 2 March we serve a tasty mash pot during a train ride on our railway line. Along the way, you can enjoy the winter landscape in the evening twilight in our illuminated and heated historic train. The journey lasts about an hour and a half. The train departs around 17:30 from Stadskanaal station.
Programme

17:00 – entry at Stadskanaal station
17:30 – departure of the train
19:30 (approx.) – train back in Stadskanaal

Prices

Adults: €29.50
Children (ages 4–11): €17.95
Children (0–3): €0.00
Dessert: €7.00

The price excludes drinks; these can be paid after the journey.
Reservations
For the mash-pot rides, reservations are required due to limited seating. Tickets are available in our ticket shop.

Christmas evening ride
2025-12-20 17:00 - 20:30
It may be cold outside, but inside the train it’s wonderfully warm!
Enjoy the steam clouds drifting past while you sit comfortably in one of our historic carriages.
During this special Christmas train ride along the border of Groningen and Drenthe, Santa Claus will be on board, and everything is beautifully decorated and lit.
Would you like to make your train ride even more enjoyable?
You can also book a delicious winter drinks box! (while supplies last)
If you wish to order a drinks box, please first purchase your regular train ticket and then the drinks box — these are two separate items in the ticket shop.
The dinner during the Christmas Eve ride is unfortunately already sold out.
Timetable

Stadskanaal – departure: 6:00 PM
Veendam – arrival: 7:00 PM
Veendam – departure: 7:30 PM
Stadskanaal – arrival: 8:30 PM

Please note: The ride is only possible from Stadskanaal.
No tickets are available from Veendam.
Prices

Normal ticket prices apply for the train ride. Tickets are available in the ticket shop.
Drinks box: €12.00 (incl. 1 drink) – while supplies last.

Driving day with Christmas lunch
2025-12-21 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, our historic steam train runs again between
Stadskanaal and
Veendam.
You travel along the Stadskanaal–Veendam route, on the border of Groningen and Drenthe. Along the way, the train stops at Bareveld and Wildervank (on request). You arrive at the more than 100-year-old and beautifully restored station of Veendam.
Also on this day
In addition to the steam train ride, the following arrangements are also available today:
Combination Ticket: Veenkolonie Express
Your train journey is the perfect match with a visit to the Veenkoloniaal Museum in Veendam — the ultimate way to discover the rich history of the Eastern Groningen peat colonies! Read more about the Veenkolonie Express here.
Christmas Lunch
Besides the regular timetable, we also offer the opportunity to enjoy an extensive lunch on board the steam train today! Delicious food while the winter landscape passes by — all inside our beautifully decorated and heated carriages! The price includes the train ride. Do you have allergies? Please mention this when booking.

The train departs from Stadskanaal at 14:05, and during the journey we serve a delightful lunch.
Steam Train with Lunch – Prices (excl. drinks)

12 years and older: €42.50
4 to 11 years: €19.95
0 to 3 years: €0.00

Booking the lunch in advance is mandatory! Full = full.
Reserve via our ticket shop.

Ticket Sales
For this day, you can purchase your e-tickets in advance. Go to our ticket shop and select the desired date.
Please note: Upon arrival at Stadskanaal or Veendam, have your e-tickets scanned at the ticket office. You will receive an authentic paper ticket, which the conductor checks and punches on board.
Tickets are also available at the stations of Stadskanaal and Veendam.
For arrangements: while supplies last!
Timetable
The train runs according to the timetable below. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure!
Stadskanaal – Veendam

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Stadskanaal – departure
10:50
14:05

Bareveld *
11:11 > on request*
14:26 > on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:22
14:37

Veendam – arrival
11:35
14:50

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Veendam – departure
12:05
15:20

Wildervank – departure
12:18
15:33

Bareveld *
12:29 > on request*
15:44 > on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:50
16:05

Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are waiting on the platform, raise your hand when the train approaches. If you boarded at another station, inform the conductor that you wish to get off at Bareveld.

Driving day - Dutch donuts
2025-12-28 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-30 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, our historic steam train runs again between
Stadskanaal and
Veendam.
You travel along the Stadskanaal–Veendam route, on the border of Groningen and Drenthe. Along the way, the train passes the stops Bareveld and Wildervank. You arrive at the more than 100-year-old and beautifully restored station of Veendam.
Freshly baked oliebollen are available for purchase — perfect together with a hot cup of chocolate or a glass of mulled wine!
Also on this day
In addition to the steam train ride, the following arrangements are available today:
Combination Ticket: Veenkolonie Express
Your train journey is the perfect match with a visit to the Veenkoloniaal Museum in Veendam — the ultimate way to discover the rich history of the Eastern Groningen peat colonies! Read more about the Veenkolonie Express.
Ticket Sales
For this day, you can purchase your e-tickets in advance. Go to our ticket shop and select the desired date.
Please note: Upon arrival at Stadskanaal or Veendam, have your e-tickets scanned at the ticket office. You will then receive an authentic paper ticket. The conductor checks and punches the ticket on board.
Tickets are also available at the stations of Stadskanaal and Veendam.
For arrangements: while supplies last!
Timetable
The train runs today according to the timetable below. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure!
Stadskanaal – Veendam

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Stadskanaal – departure
10:50
14:05

Bareveld *
11:11 > on request*
14:26 > on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:22
14:37

Veendam – arrival
11:35
14:50

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Veendam – departure
12:05
15:20

Wildervank – departure
12:18
15:33

Bareveld *
12:29 > on request*
15:44 > on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:50
16:05

Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are waiting on the platform, raise your hand when the train approaches. If you boarded at another station, inform the conductor that you wish to get off at Bareveld.

Mash-pot ride
2026-02-22 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-08 17:00 - 19:30
Enjoy the winter landscape and good food? That’s possible on Sundays 8 and 22 February and Sunday 8 March 2026. During a train ride along the border of Groningen and Drenthe, a delicious Dutch mash pot is served. A unique opportunity to dine on a moving train!
Eating on the train used to be very common. Even in the Netherlands, domestic (express) trains had a restaurant car. Nowadays, you only see this in a few international trains. But at Museumspoorlijn STAR, it is possible once again. On Sundays 2 and 16 February and 2 March we serve a tasty mash pot during a train ride on our railway line. Along the way, in the evening twilight, you can enjoy the winter landscape in our illuminated and heated historic train. The journey lasts about an hour and a half. The train departs around 17:30 from Stadskanaal station.
Programme

17:00 – entry at Stadskanaal station
17:30 – departure of the train
19:30 (approx.) – train back in Stadskanaal

Prices

Adults: €29.50
Children (ages 4–11): €17.95
Children (0–3): €0.00
Dessert: €7.00

The price excludes drinks; these can be paid after the journey.
Reservations
For the mash-pot rides, reservations are required due to limited seating. Tickets are available in our ticket shop.
