Welcome

The steam-service starts in April 2012

Nostalgia comes to life with the FStM

Traveling from Sneek to Stavoren powered by steam you will experience the return of a piece of nostalgic technology on existing railway tracks. At the same time you will also experience a wonderful part of Fryslân. This dream of steam has excisted for quite some time now with the people of the FStM. It all started in 1999. This is the year when serious talks are started to start an independently owned steam-powered train service in the Southwest of Fryslân travelling from Sneek to Stavoren.

In 2003 the Foundation Steam Train Fryslân (SSF) was founded. The Frisian Steam Train Society (FStM) is a part of this foundation.

Why have a steam train travelling from Sneek? As a touristic centre in the Southwest of Fryslân this city is an ideal starting point. Also there are still existing tracks of a regular (diesel)train and there are excellent parking facilities. There is also the Nationaal Modelspoor Museum (National Model Railway Musem) which is housed in the restored railway station.

The goal of the SSF is to return the steam train to Fryslân. The operation of the steam train is housed with the FStM. The train will travel along a fixed route from Sneek to Stavoren and back. With this project the SSF wants to make a substantial contribution to the sustainable development of the touristic attraction of this province. Furthermore the SSF wants to mobilize knowledge and skills in steam technology.

The SSF wants to offer day trippers and holidaymakers a unique and surprising experience. The SSF is a non-profit organization. During the operation and realization of all this there is close cooperation between the SSF, different governments and entrepreneurs in the region Sneek-Stavoren. The SSF has chosen to use newly built stock. Starting point is old (steam) technology with attention to environment and safety. In this respect we have managed to construct state-of-the-art (green) solutions.

The steam train in Fryslân offers a combination of attractive aspects. Traveling by steam train is a very special way to experience the southwest of Fryslân. It connects the attractive cities of Sneek, IJlst, Workum, Hindeloopen, Koudum-Molkwerum and Stavoren in a unique way. With this the longest touristic steam path of the Netherlands will have become a reality.