The largest collection of model trains (±10,000) in the whole of Europe can be found in Sneek. All kinds of scale train models, many types, old, new, goods trains, many types of wagons and passenger models. Landscapes, stations, freight sheds, signal boxes, yards and many more faithfully reproduced miniatures. Operate wonderful miniature railway tracks yourself or virtually ride on the HSL? The National Model Railway Museum in Sneek is an experience.
Because model trains, and the environment they are in, tell the history of a country in miniature. At the National Model Railway Museum, this is done using the huge collection of Dutch and international trains. Very special are the two so-called factory tracks from Märklin and Fleischmann, the two leading German brands that entire generations have played with.
The Nationaal Modelspoormuseum's extraordinary collection starts with the first locomotive in the Netherlands: De Arend from 1839. Other masterpieces in the collection are famous Swiss Crocodile, the NS Plan D Turquoise with locomotive NS1004, the Blue Brabander, trains of American brand America Flyer, the famous NS Yellow Doghead and the NS 1501.
The museum has the collection of Sneeker antique dealer and valuer Piet Scheltema as its base, but it has expanded massively over the years. There are miniature examples of just about everything that has run on Dutch railways in recent decades. But foreign tracks also find a place there, for instance the so-called Snitser Berg Baan built (referring to the Schweizerische Bundesbahnen) has been recreated. Equally fascinating are the dioramas (lifelike 3D representations). At the National Model Railway Museum, they are there from Rotterdam, from train landscapes in Germany and Norway and other versions.
The National Model Railway Museum in Sneek is ideally suited for children. They are allowed to operate a number of model railways themselves and there is also a Brio model railway available.
Apart from the permanent exhibition, there are regularly attractive themed exhibitions.
The Nationaal Modelspoormuseum Sneek: a fascinating experience for young and old.
Running your own model trains
