Visiting the "Stoomtrein Katwijk Leiden" narrow gauge museum in Valkenburg

Following my increasing interest in narrow gauge industrial railways I recently visited the "Stoomtrein Katwijk Leiden" museum in Valkenburg (Zuid Holland). The collection of steam and, mainly, diesel engines (locomotors) was a great inspiration, most of them are in excellent and running condition. It's a vibrant museum and I admired the dedication of the many volunteers that keep the museum going in these Covid-19 influenced times. The steam engine on the train that travels up and down the short line was replaced by a diesel, as the footplate on the steamers is too small for two people needing to keep distance.

Here a few impressions, more pictures can be found on flickr. The museum has a website with detailed descriptions of all engines of the collection.

Photo shoot in "Klein Schwarzenbach"

My new Roco 2095.014 made an excursion to my friend Rob's home and his layout "Klein Schwarzenbach" for a photoshoot with other Austrian narrow gauge rolling stock. The below images were taken by Rob who also has a photostream on flickr.

Engine shed with inspection pit

Late night views into the engine shed, now in its position on the layout above the inspection pit.

Noordhollandse Modelspoordagen in Alkmaar

Last weekend, I have exhibited Valkenveld together with the modules "Looseinde" and "Ergernisse" of friends Marco and Jasiu at the Noordhollandse Modelspoordagen in Alkmaar. This time we used a lot of "Period IV" material, like the new Sik from Roco and the 2200 from Piko. Especially the new Roco Sik drew lots of attention and all visitors were amazed by the model.

Overview of Valkenende, Looseinde and Ergernisse in Alkmaar.

For the first time we introduced a corner module, built by Jasiu, to good effect, as the fiddle yard is now more hidden.

MTD event in Edegem, Belgium

Valkenveld in the 1970's

In the run-up to the exhibition in Edegem, Belgium on the next weekend, here a shot from Valkenveld in the 1970's. Photo by Marco van Zelst

Sometimes the small yard on the Valkenveld industrial line is used as overflow storage for the busy Valkenveld Goederen yard. Here NS 2256 drops seven N.A.M. tank cars.

Delft in the 1960s. Image by W.N.T. Jansen. Source: beneluxspoor

EUROSPOOR 2018

I really enjoyed the three (and a half) days at Eurospoor in Utrecht. It's great to be able to exhibit your layout and even greater if it is coupled to modules of fellow model railroaders. As in 2016 and at other shows, Valkenveld was linked to the modules "Looseinde" from Marco and "Ergernisse" from Jasiu, plus a small fiddle yard. My son Milo and (another) Marco helped with operations during some of the days. We enjoyed each compliment we got and received three(!) invitations for future shows!

People especially commented on our trains running at prototype speeds, the effect of depth on a layout that is just 30 cm deep and the general atmosphere of "less is more".

Here a few impressions from build-up to break-down.

Ready for the show.

Build-up.

All modules coupled together.

Overview of (from left to right) Ergernisse, Looseinde and Valkenveld under the banner of the "Omroep Modelspoor Club".

Secret back view. All tidy and ready to go for the show.

Jasiu switching in Valkenveld and talking to the interested public.

Three days of continuous switching action.

Milo at the throttle helping with operations (and an unusual visitor in the form of NS 6480 - in general we stuck strictly to our early 1960s theme).

Marco at the fiddle yard end.

Milo runs a "border-crossing" train with DB V100 from Looseinde into Ergernisse yard with Marco observing the operations.

Milo is asked if it is allowed to run trains. Well, unfortunately, ...

Jasiu, Milo and Marco ensuring all runs safely and on time.

Overview of Valkenveld.

The two Marco's and Milo before the opening of the final day.

Marco answering the questions of a young railfan.

A loooong train just for fun as the show draws to an end.

Sunday is "family day" with more children visiting Eurospoor. You immediately recognize the future model railroader when he is not bored but fascinated by trains creeping rather than flying over the rails.

NS 2297 in Valkenveld.

NS 2437 switching the PAM car on the team track.

Organized break-down chaos.

(Almost) all loaded and ready to go home.