Museum railway line STAR

The longest museum railway in the Netherlands. Embark on a journey back in time on the border of Groningen and Drenthe! A day out for young and old.

Take a look

Have you ever dreamed of looking into a real steam locomotive? Or do you want to sit in the driver's seat? This is possible in the museum in the carriage shed at the station Stadskanaal.

In our museum we also have an extensive exhibition about the history of our railway line. What was the situation in the past? Which stations were along the railway line? The museum tells you all about it. The cinema hall regularly shows films of the museum rail line STAR.

In 1905 the first people from Gieten could take the steam train to Stadskanaal. The railway line was established and run by the NOLS (North Eastern Local Railway) and the historic STAR (Groningsch-Drenthsche railway company "Stadskanaal-Ter Apel-Rijksgrens"). In the following years, the railway lines were expanded.

There have be…

Have you ever dreamed of looking into a real steam locomotive? Or do you want to sit in the driver's seat? This is possible in the museum in the carriage shed at the station Stadskanaal.

In our museum we also have an extensive exhibition about the history of our railway line. What was the situation in the past? Which stations were along the railway line? The museum tells you all about it. The cinema hall regularly shows films of the museum rail line STAR.

In 1905 the first people from Gieten could take the steam train to Stadskanaal. The railway line was established and run by the NOLS (North Eastern Local Railway) and the historic STAR (Groningsch-Drenthsche railway company "Stadskanaal-Ter Apel-Rijksgrens"). In the following years, the railway lines were expanded.

There have been no passenger trains since 1955 and no freight trains on these lines since 1990. Since 1994, the railway line serves as a museum railway, so that the railway line is preserved as an industrial monument. On special days, historic steam and diesel trains run between Veendam and Musselkanaal. With a length of 26 kilometers, it is the longest museum line in the Netherlands.

Opening times

  • Do you want to take a ride on our historic train? That is possible on various days of the year. Check the website for an overview of all driving days.

    The museum is open on all driving days of the STAR Museum Railway and by appointment.