Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij

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Two German locomotives of the VSM.

Veluwse Stoomtrein Maatschappij is a steam railroad line running from the city of Apeldoorn to the town of Dieren in the Netherlands. On its way from Apeldoorn, it passes through the following villages: Lieren / Beekbergen, Loenen, Eerbeek on the Veluwe, a region in the Netherlands. The ride on a steamtrain is popular with tourists visiting the region, and that is why the VSM operates mainly in the summer vacation. The VSM is operated by volunteers and was founded in 1975.

As of 2006, the VSM has 18 steam locomotives and 20 diesels. Also more than 20 passenger carriages and several freight cars. The rolling stock usually is stationed at the VSM’s depot Beekbergen. Most of the steam engines originate from Germany, from the Deutsche Bundesbahn and the Deutsche Reichsbahn. There are also 2 loco’s from Poland, and one from Austria. The VSM shows engines from the Baureihen 23, 44, 50, 50.80, 64, 80 and the Polish TKp. Most of these were build in the 1940ies to 1950ies. The oldest loco owned by the VSM is the 80 036 (Baureihe 80) from 1929, and is at the VSM since 1976. The diesel engines are originally from the Dutch state railways, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), apart from one. This way the VSM has a valuable collection of Dutch diesel engines dating from the fifties and sixties from the last century. Present are locomotors (serie 200/300), shunters (serie 500/600 and main line engines (series 2200/2300 and 2400/2500). Passenger carriages available from the NS are six ‘Blokkendozen’ (Mat '24) and ten ‘Bolkoppen’ (Plan D and Plan K), one carriage Plan E and one steel Plan D. Also eight Austrian carriages with two axles and open platforms. Also present are 3 cars from Wagon Lits and 3 cars from Mitropa. Most of these are legally operable on the Dutch railways. Among the other items there are a coaling crane and an accident crane from the NS.

[edit] Terug naar Toen (Back to Then)

Every year in the first weekend of September, the Back to Then ‘Terug naar Toen’ event is held, using everything that will run. Usually some guest loco’s appear too. The highlight of the event was until this year, the last run on Saturday, originating in Apeldoorn. The train was pushed and pulled by all operational steam loco’s. In 2005 and 2006 that were 10 (!) engines and a number of carriages.