Museumspoorlijn STAR

Stadskanaal under Steam
2025-09-20 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-21 10:00 - 17:00 UTC
The third weekend of September is traditionally dedicated to the largest steam spectacle in the Northern Netherlands: Stadskanaal Under Steam.
Enjoy steam trains, historic boats, and various other steam engines at and around Stadskanaal station! On both days (September 20th and 21st), there will be an extended timetable between Stadskanaal and Veendam, and Stadskanaal and Nieuw-Buinen. A model railway fair with various traders and a large model railway will be held in the carriage shed on both days.
So come along on Saturday, September 20th, or Sunday, September 21st. For all ages!
For all information and tickets, see the special Stadskanaal Under Steam pages!

Driving day (October Children's Month)
2025-10-19 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, our historic steam train will once again be running between
Stadskanaal and
Veendam.
You will travel along the Stadskanaal – Veendam route, right on the border between Groningen and Drenthe.
Along the way, the train passes the stops Bareveld and Wildervank.
In Veendam, you will arrive at the more than 100-year-old and fully restored station.
October Children’s Month
It’s **October Children’s Month**, which means that **children can travel for free on this day** — of course only when accompanied by an adult.
On these days, children receive a free Bear Hunt or Railway Quiz, available at the ticket desks at the stations or in the souvenir shop in Stadskanaal.
In the carriage shed in Stadskanaal, there are additional activities such as face painting and various games.
Several other organizations in Groningen and Drenthe also offer special activities.
Visit the special October Children’s Month website for an overview.
Also on this day
In addition to a ride on our steam train, the following **arrangements** are also available:

Combination Ticket: Veenkolonie Express Your trip with our train can easily be combined with a visit to the Veenkolonial Museum in Veendam — the perfect way to discover the rich history of the East-Groningen peat colonies!

Tickets
For this day, you can purchase your **e-tickets** in advance. Go to our online ticket shop and select your desired date. You can then purchase your tickets directly.
Please note: Upon arrival at Stadskanaal or Veendam station, have your e-tickets scanned at the ticket counter.
You will then receive an authentic paper train ticket, which the conductor will check and punch during the journey.
Train tickets are also available at the Stadskanaal and Veendam stations.
For arrangements: available while supplies last!
Timetable
The train will run according to the timetable below. Please make sure to be at the station **at least 30 minutes before departure!**

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 – 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 stops here only on request!
If you are waiting on the platform, please raise your hand when the train approaches.
If you are already on board, inform the conductor that you wish to get off at Bareveld.

Driving day (October Children's Month)
2025-10-22 10:00 - 17:00
On this day, our historic steam train will once again be running between
Stadskanaal and
Veendam.
You will travel along the Stadskanaal – Veendam route, located on the border between Groningen and Drenthe.
Along the way, the train stops at Bareveld and Wildervank.
In Veendam, you will arrive at the more than 100-year-old and fully restored station.
October Children’s Month
It’s **October Children’s Month** – which means that **children can travel for free on this day**, of course only when accompanied by an adult.
On these days, children receive a free Bear Hunt or Railway Quiz, available at the ticket desks at the stations or in the souvenir shop in Stadskanaal.
In the carriage shed in Stadskanaal, there are also extra activities such as face painting and various games.
Several organizations in Groningen and Drenthe also offer additional activities.
Visit the special October Children’s Month website for a full overview.
Also on this day
In addition to a ride on our steam train, the following **arrangements** are also available on this day:

Combination Ticket: Veenkolonie Express Your trip with our train can easily be combined with a visit to the Veenkolonial Museum in Veendam — the perfect way to discover the rich history of the East Groningen peat colonies!

Tickets
For this day, you can purchase your **e-tickets** in advance. Go to our online ticket shop and select your preferred date. You can then purchase your tickets directly.
Please note: Upon arrival at Stadskanaal or Veendam station, please have your e-tickets scanned at the ticket counter.
You will then receive an authentic paper train ticket, which will be checked and punched by the conductor on board.
Train tickets are also available at the Stadskanaal and Veendam stations.
For arrangements: available while supplies last!
Timetable
The train will run according to the timetable below. Please make sure to be at the station **at least 30 minutes before departure!**

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 – 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 stops here only on request!
If you are waiting on the platform, please raise your hand when the train approaches.
If you are already on board, inform the conductor that you wish to get off at Bareveld.

Driving day Teddy Bear Day (October Children's Month)
2025-10-26 10:00 - 17:00
On Sunday, October 26, the Teddy Bear Express will be running again!
This special day is entirely dedicated to our youngest visitors.
Children can travel for free on this day when they bring their teddy bear along.
A life-size teddy bear will also be walking around that day.
With all the children’s teddy bears on board, the train ride promises to be cheerful and fun.
Is your teddy bear feeling unwell? No problem!
The Teddy Bear Doctor will have a look at your bear and make it feel better again.
Birthday of the Bears
The teddy bears are celebrating their birthday – and of course, that calls for a party! On this day, there will be a **Bear Disco** in the carriage shed from **1:00 PM to 1:30 PM**.
And furthermore…
In the **carriage shed**, children can play games, get their faces painted, and have fun on the **bouncy castle**. You can also enjoy a short ride on the **handcar (pump trolley)** inside the shed. Tokens for these activities are available at the **museum shop** or in the **station café in Stadskanaal**.
Also on this day
In addition to a ride on our steam train, the following **arrangements** are also available on this day:

Combination Ticket: Veenkolonie Express Your trip with our train can easily be combined with a visit to the Veenkolonial Museum in Veendam — the perfect way to discover the rich history of the East Groningen peat colonies!

Tickets
For this day, you can purchase your **e-tickets** in advance. Go to our online ticket shop and select your preferred date. You can then purchase your tickets directly.
Please note: Upon arrival at Stadskanaal or Veendam station, please have your e-tickets scanned at the ticket counter.
You will then receive an authentic paper train ticket, which will be checked and punched by the conductor on board.
Train tickets are also available at the Stadskanaal and Veendam stations.
For arrangements: available while supplies last!
Timetable
Stadskanaal – Veendam – Special Timetable

Stadskanaal – departure
10:30
14:15

Bareveld *
10:51 > on request*
14:36 > on request*

Wildervank – departure
11:02
14:47

Veendam – arrival
11:15
15:00

Veendam – Stadskanaal – Special Timetable

Veendam – departure
11:45
15:30

Wildervank – departure
11:58
15:43

Bareveld *
12:09 > on request*
15:54 > on request*

Stadskanaal – arrival
12:30
16:15

* Bareveld stop: The train stops here only on request!
If you are waiting on the platform, please raise your hand when the train approaches.
If you are already on board, inform the conductor that you wish to get off at Bareveld.

Autumn evening ride
2025-11-09 17:00 - 20:30
This autumn, you can once again travel back in time to the golden age of luxury train journeys!
Dining aboard these elegant long-distance trains used to be completely normal — even a standard part of a long trip.
With our Autumn Evening Ride on Sunday, November 9, 2025, we offer you another chance to experience such a dinner on board a train — this time along our beautiful route through the Veenkoloniën!
During the ride, a four-course dinner with an autumn theme will be served.
Times
You are welcome from **5:00 PM** at **Stadskanaal Station**. The train departs around **5:30 PM**, and the journey will last approximately **2.5 hours**.
Prices

Adults (12 years and older): €49.50
Children (up to 11 years): €26.50

Prices exclude drinks, which can be paid for after the journey.

Vegetarian options are available upon request — please mention this under “Remarks” when making your reservation.
Other dietary requirements — please specify under “Remarks” when making your reservation.

Tickets
Buy your tickets online in our ticket shop! Be quick — seats are limited!

Sinterklaas Express (Veendam)
2025-11-16
Travel with Sinterklaas and his helpers on the train!
On 16, 22 and 23 November 2025, it’s that time again – Sinterklaas and his Pieten will visit the Museum Railway STAR, in Veendam (on 16 November) and Stadskanaal (on 22 and 23 November).
For many years it has been a wonderful tradition for Sinterklaas to visit the Museum Railway STAR at the end of November.
And this year, he has once again managed to find a gap in his busy schedule to take a train ride!
Of course, Sinterklaas and his helpers don’t want to travel alone – they would love to have lots of children join them!
For young and old alike
Together with the children, parents, grandparents, and families, Sinterklaas and his Pieten will take a cheerful train ride on the STAR line. What surprises might happen along the way? It promises to be a fun, festive and exciting journey!
Programme
On 16 November, the **Sinterklaas Express** will run twice from Veendam Station.
Programme 1

11:00 AM – Reception, Veendam Station opens
11:10 AM – Programme starts
1:00 PM – Programme ends

Programme 2

1:30 PM – Reception, Veendam Station opens
1:40 PM – Programme starts
3:30 PM – Programme ends

Tickets
Tickets are available in our online ticket shop. **Reservations are required**, as seating is limited.
Prices

Children up to 11 years: €12.50 (including a small surprise)
From 12 years and older: €16.00

Sinterklaas Express (Veendam)
2025-11-22
Travel with Sinterklaas and his helpers on the train!
On 16, 22 and 23 November 2025, it’s that time again – Sinterklaas and his Pieten will visit the Museum Railway STAR, in Veendam (on 16 November) and Stadskanaal (on 22 and 23 November).
For many years, it has been a wonderful tradition for Sinterklaas to visit the Museum Railway STAR at the end of November.
And this year, he has once again managed to find a gap in his busy schedule to take a train ride!
Of course, Sinterklaas and his helpers don’t want to travel alone – they would love to have lots of children join them!
For young and old alike
Together with the children, parents, grandparents, and families, Sinterklaas and his Pieten will take a cheerful train ride on the STAR railway line. What surprises might happen along the way? It promises to be a **fun, festive, and exciting** journey!
Programme
On **22 and 23 November**, the **Sinterklaas Express** will run twice from **Stadskanaal Station**.
Programme 1

11:30 AM – Reception, Stadskanaal Station opens
11:40 AM – Programme starts
1:30 PM – Programme ends

Programme 2

2:15 PM – Reception, Stadskanaal Station opens
2:25 PM – Programme starts
4:15 PM – Programme ends

Tickets
Tickets are available in our online ticket shop. **Reservations are required**, as seating is limited.
Prices

Children up to 11 years: €12.50 (including a small surprise)
From 12 years and older: €16.00

Sinterklaas Express (Stadskanaal)
2025-11-23

Mash-pot ride
2025-12-01 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-08 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’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.
