Nederlands Stoommachinemuseum
Power of Water and Fire!
Nowhere else are there so many working steam engines together as in the Dutch Steam Engine Museum on the IJsselmeer near Medemblik. The museum is located in the former steam pumping station 'Vier Noorder Koggen'. The huge chimney: you can see it from afar. The museum takes you back to the past and is the place to discover what water and fire can bring about.
On steam days we stoke the fire in the boiler to keep the machines running. On super steam days, not only do the machines run indoors, but some machines in the machine garden are also steamed, as well as the coal-fired bucket dredger in the museum harbor. Do you want to know how the steam engines work and what steam meant? Ask our drivers and tour guides, they are happy to explain it to you. You will be amazed at what people have accomplished in the past.
Four Noorder Koggen steam pumping station The pumping station is one of the oldest intact steam pumping stations in the Netherlands. It first came into operation in 1869 as an 'auxiliary steam pumping station' to support the mills in draining the polders. In 1907 the capacity of the pumping station was expanded with a large centrifugal pump and the mills were superfluous. The pumping station has been in active service for over a hundred years. Several times a year there are demonstrations with the original pump installation of the pumping station.
Experience the breakthrough of steam in the Netherlands
In the exhibition 'Nederland op Stoom!', dozens of moving and unique steam models show in an audiovisual show how the steam engine conquered the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. Those who want to take a virtual look can take a tour of the museum and the dredger on the website with NSM Virtual. You can step behind gates where you are otherwise not allowed. But of course nothing beats a real museum visit! (www.stoommachinemuseum.nl)
Interactive museum, fun for young and old With miniature steam engines you can make steam yourself and discover what steam power does. On steam days, you can earn the "Auxiliary Distiller's Degree" by helping the stoker keep the fire burning in the cauldron, and a "Forging Degree" by helping the blacksmith in the old forge at the pumping station. A fun treasure hunt awaits with searches throughout the museum.
Dutch Steam Engine Museum Oosterdijk 4, 1671 HJ Medemblik. Phone: 0227 544732