Spoorwegmuseum (Railway Museum), Utrecht (must see)

The Railway Museum in Utrecht is the Dutch national railway museum, offering visitors an immersive journey through the country's rail history. Originally established in 1927, the museum initially housed a modest collection of railway-related photographs, documents, and small artifacts in one of the main buildings of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch National Railway). However, as interest grew, so did the collection, necessitating a more spacious location.

In 1954, the museum found its permanent home in the former Maliebaan station, a site that had been closed since 1939. This move allowed for the public display of full-sized historical railway equipment, including an impressive array of steam locomotives, which remained a defining feature until 2003. Over the decades, the collection expanded to include trams, rolling stock, railway bridges, signal boxes, and various train models, showcasing the evolution of Dutch rail travel.

Several renovations have shaped the museum into the dynamic space it is today. The 1970s and 1980s saw expansions, including the construction of a pedestrian bridge and additional exhibition halls. By 1989, the station building's interior had been entirely redesigned, and the museum grounds transformed into a railway landscape, featuring interactive rides and operational historic trains. In the 1990s, warehouses and a large model railway were added, further enriching the visitor experience.

To enhance accessibility, a rail link now connects Utrecht’s central station with the Maliebaan station, seamlessly integrating the museum into the city’s transport network. With ongoing efforts to restore and protect historic trains, the Railway Museum remains a captivating destination for railway enthusiasts and history buffs alike.