Our tracks
On track with 5 inch
Regular visitors to our beautiful park may have noticed already: presently also the “little” little trains are operated on a more frequent basis. That’s right: some of our members discovered the irresistible challenge offered by the 5 inch scale. Models you still can carry around, often very precisely scale built according to the “real” engines. And they do perform pretty well, easily pulling 6 – 10 grown up passengers!
We demonstrate English, German and fantasy models. Just driving around for our own pleasure, though on Sundays and at events we also accommodate our visitors. Many kid (often including mom and dad) in 2009 did his laps behind one of our loco’s. And mind you: 5 inch offers two laps for just one ticket.
Our present track comprises an elevated oval , station and tracks where the models are prepared before entering the main track. Of course, after a while an oval is just an oval, so we do foster some desires:
- A new (and larger) preparation area including turning table
- A (large) groundtrack
- Just maybe our own engine shed
- New trolleys for driving our public around
Quite ambitious, however all tools and materials are there. It’s just the hands that are lacking. So we could use some additional “hands”, people willing and interested in our hobby, willing to take on our challenge with us. And you don’t need to be the proud owner of your own model.
Did we trigger something? Want to know more? Please do not hesitate to contact us. Hope to be hearing from you soon or better still: drop by on a Saturday and see for yourself.
A ride in the park
Most visitors prefer the “ride through the park”. This trip will take you beyond the borders of our club area, right into the Zuiderpark. Traveling in our “Blue Train” we cover about 1350 meters in just over 12 minutes. We cross public roads using a real crossing, follow an extended double track and then circle the pond. Starting 2010 a new bridge will be included. Needless to say: recommended for everyone.
The 7 ¼ inch track
Though we cover various scales, it’s primarily 71/4 inch scale we operate. Weekly we do hundreds of rides using our steam, diesel und electric traction. What makes it really attractive is our choice of tracks which, in combination with the various trains roaming our park presents the visitor with an almost unlimited selection of options for spending your day with us. On a beautiful Sunday we at least operate 4 – 5 trains. Most of them accessible to visitors, though sometimes a freight train will speed along. Or, somebody is just testing his new engine. Furthermore, we recommend you visit our repair shop. You’ll be amazed by what more we have to offer there. If it’s not too busy, we’ll be glad to show you around.
Our gauge-1 table
Gauge 1, the “track –of-the-kings” is part of our club since the early days. We started with track on timber boards, to be installed each time again. Comprising two ovals and switches in between, we soon found out it’s quite time consuming to do this every weekend again. Since some of our members were in favor of actually using the 1 gauge more often, it then was decided to build a semi permanent construction, using concrete instead of wood. This track was built in 1988 where it nowadays still can be found. On top of this concrete construction (which was renovated throughout the years) we built our track in about 15 minutes, using prefab track elements. In 2008 we completed this part with a wooden “Swiss Chalet type” shed, right in the middle of the track. On Sundays you can meet our gauge 1 members there, riding their engines, of which some are home maid. Don’t hesitate to ask them for more information.
