Mash-pot ride (Sold out)
2026-03-08 17:00 - 19:30 UTC | Stadskanaal Station, Stationsstraat 3, Stadskanaal, Groningen, 9503AD, Netherlands
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
The mash-pot rides are sold out.

Spring Ride with Dinner
2026-03-29 17:00 - 20:30
This spring it is once again possible to travel back in time to the era of luxurious train journeys! Dining on board these luxurious long-distance trains used to be completely normal and even a standard part of a long trip.
With our Spring Ride on 29 March 2026 we give you another chance to experience such a dinner on a train, this time on our beautiful route through the Veenkoloniën! During the Spring Ride a spring dinner will be served, consisting of four courses.
The programme for this ride will be announced at the beginning of February. Tickets will be available from that moment on.

Riding Day (Easter)
2026-04-05 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below.
Start of the steam season
The trips during Easter mark the start of the steam season. During the winter months, STAR did continue to run, but with a historic diesel locomotive. The winter months are used to carry out maintenance on the steam locomotives.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange on arrival at the ticket office for an authentic train ticket! Tickets are also available at the Stadskanaal and Veendam stations. The conductor checks and clips the ticket on the train.
Please make sure you are always present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times
Stadskanaal – Veendam – Yellow timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
10:30
13:50

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:22

Veendam – arrival
11:15
14:35

Veendam – Stadskanaal – Yellow timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:05

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:18

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand when the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then let the conductor know that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Riding Day (Easter)
2026-04-06 10:00 - 17:00
On this day the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below.
Start of the steam season
The trips during Easter mark the start of the steam season. Although STAR did operate during the winter months, this was with a historic diesel locomotive. The winter months are used to carry out maintenance on the steam locomotives.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop; upon arrival you can easily exchange it for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office! Tickets are also available at the stations Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and clips the ticket on the train.
Tickets for these trips will be available from early March!
Always make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times
Stadskanaal – Veendam – Yellow timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
10:50
13:50

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

Wildervank – departure
11:22
14:37

Veendam – arrival
11:35
14:50

Veendam – Stadskanaal – Yellow timetable

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 halt: The train stops here only on request! If you are on the platform, raise your hand when the train approaches. If you boarded at one of the other stations, inform the conductor that you wish to get off at Bareveld.

Riding day (May holiday)
2026-04-26 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-29 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-03 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange on arrival for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office! Tickets are also available at the stations in Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and clips the ticket on the train.
Make sure you are always present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Yellow timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
Stadskanaal – departure
10:30
13:50

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:22

Veendam – arrival
11:15
14:35

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Yellow timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:05

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:18

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand as the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then inform the conductor that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Mother’s Day - High Tea on the train
2026-05-10 10:00 - 17:00
Looking for something special for Mother’s Day? You can find it at Museumspoorlijn STAR. On Sunday 11 May, the train will run especially for Mother’s Day. And to make it even more special, you can enjoy a High Tea along the way!
During the train journey through the Veenkoloniale landscape, you can enjoy many sweet and savoury treats. So give mother or grandmother a special gift: High Tea on the rails!
Programme
The train departs at 2.00 pm from Stadskanaal station. You will be back around 3.55 pm.
Prices

12 years and older: € 38,45
Children aged 4 to 11: € 21,45
Children aged 0 to 3: free

If desired, you can book a glass of prosecco with your reservation
Ticket sales
Tickets are available (while stocks last) in our ticket shop. Sold out = sold out, so be quick!

Heritage Freight Day - National Steam Train Day (Ascension Day)
2026-05-14 10:00 - 17:00
Order at the press of a button … and often you have your order at home within 24 hours. Parcel services are working overtime. But in the past there was no internet. The transport of parcels also looked very different, with many goods transported by rail, not only very large items but smaller parcels as well. But how did that work exactly? Museumspoorlijn STAR will show this on Thursday 14 May 2026 (Ascension Day) during ‘Heritage Freight Day’.
Many trains: National Steam Train Day
Ascension Day has been National Steam Train Day for many years. Most railway museums in the Netherlands are open on this day. Naturally, STAR will also run steam trains on this day according to an extended timetable.
Timetable and programme
The timetable and programme will be announced in spring 2026
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange on arrival for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office! Tickets are also available at the stations in Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and punches the ticket on the train.
Only day tickets are available for this day!

Riding Day (Whit Sunday)
2026-05-24 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange on arrival for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office! Tickets are also available at the stations in Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and clips the ticket on the train.
Make sure you are always present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times
Stadskanaal – departureStadskanaal – departure10:3013:50Veendam – arrival11:1514:35

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Yellow timetable

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:22

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Yellow timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:05

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:18

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand as the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then inform the conductor that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Operating Day (Whit Monday)
2026-05-25 10:00 - 17:00
On Whit Monday, the Teddy Bear Express traditionally runs. This day is once again entirely dedicated to our young visitors. With a teddy bear, they can travel free of charge on the STAR train on this day!

Of course, a life-sized teddy bear also travels on the train on this day to greet all the children and their cuddly toys. With all the children’s small teddy bears, it is naturally very cosy on the train as well. Is your teddy bear ill? No problem. The teddy bear doctor will examine your bear and make it better again.

On this day, the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange on arrival for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office! Tickets are also available at the stations in Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and clips the ticket on the train.
Make sure you are always present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times
Stadskanaal – departureStadskanaal – departure10:3013:50Veendam – arrival11:1514:35

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Yellow timetable

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:22

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Yellow timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:05

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:18

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand as the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then inform the conductor that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Riding day
2026-07-05 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-19 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-22 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-29 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-05 10:00 - 17:00 and 5 more dates

NK/EK Train Pulling - Start of the summer season
2026-07-05 12:00 - 17:00
On this day the train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below.
NK Train pulling

It’s that time again on Sunday, July 6. During the 11th edition of the NK Treintrekken, strong men and women take on the task of pulling a 21-ton locomotive. Men are given an additional 10 tons to deal with. Who-o-who will get the locomotive moving… and who is the fastest? The NK treintrekken starts at 12:30. Location: Stadskanaal station. This event is organised in collaboration with O-S-O, Organisatie Sterke mannen Oldambt.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange for an authentic train ticket at the counter upon arrival! Tickets can also be purchased at Stadskanaal and Veendam stations. The conductor checks and clips the ticket on the train.
Always make sure you are present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Timetable

Yellow timetable

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Steam

Steam

Stadskanaal – Departure
10:50
14:05

Bareveld *
11:11 *
14:26 *

Wildervank – Departure
11:22
14:37

Veendam – Arrival
11:35
14:50

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Steam

Steam

Veendam – Departure
12:05
15:20

Wildervank – Departure
12:18
15:33

Bareveld *
12:29 *
15:44 *

Stadskanaal – Arrival
12:50
16:05

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are on the platform, raise your hand when the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then tell the conductor that you want to get off at Bareveld.

Tickets

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Riding day
2026-07-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-26 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below. Between Stadskanaal and Nieuw-Buinen, a historic diesel train runs on this day.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office upon arrival! Tickets are also available at the stations Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and punches the ticket on the train.
Make sure you are always present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Red timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
10:30
13:50

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:22

Veendam – arrival
11:15
14:35

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Red timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:05

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:18

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand as the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then inform the conductor that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Stadskanaal – Nieuw Buinen

Red timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
13:00
15:00

Nieuw Buinen – arrival
13:20
15:20

Nieuw Buinen – Stadskanaal

Red timetable

Nieuw Buinen – departure
13:30
15:30

Stadskanaal – arrival
13:50
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand as the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then inform the conductor that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Driving day
2026-08-09 10:00 - 17:00

Riding day
2026-08-23 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, the steam train runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam according to the timetable below. Between Stadskanaal and Nieuw-Buinen, a historic diesel train runs on this day.
Ticket sales
Buy your ticket online via our ticket shop, which you can then easily exchange for an authentic train ticket at the ticket office upon arrival! Tickets are also available at the stations Stadskanaal and Veendam. The conductor checks and punches the ticket on the train.
Make sure you are always present at least 30 minutes before departure!
Times

Stadskanaal – Veendam

Red timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
10:30
13:50

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:22

Veendam – arrival
11:15
14:35

Veendam – Stadskanaal

Red timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:05

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:18

Bareveld *
on request*
on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
15:50

* Bareveld stop: the train only stops here on request! If you are standing on the platform, raise your hand as the train approaches. Did you board the train at one of the other stations? Then inform the conductor that you would like to get off at Bareveld.

Stadskanaal – Nieuw Buinen

Red timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
13:00
15:00

Nieuw Buinen – arrival
13:20
15:20

Nieuw Buinen – Stadskanaal

Red timetable

Nieuw Buinen – departure
13:30
15:30

Stadskanaal – arrival
13:50
15:50

Dinner Train
2026-10-03 17:00 - 20:30
On Saturday 27 June, it is possible to travel back in time to the era of luxurious train travel! Dining on board these luxury long-distance trains used to be completely normal and was even a standard part of a long journey.

With our Dinner Train, we offer you the unique opportunity to experience such a luxurious dinner on a train yourself, on our beautiful route through the Veenkoloniën!
Programme and ticket sales
The programme will be announced in May 2026.
