It was announced on Monday that the historic steam locomotives at Efteling amusement park are set to be converted to electric operation after 55 years of service. This decision has been met with significant opposition from heritage groups.
Background of the Decision
The steam railway at Efteling is to undergo an environmentally friendly upgrade. The locomotives, previously powered by coal, will be converted to electric power. This change affects three steam locomotives, each over a century old.
Resistance from Heritage Groups
The Mobiele Collectie Nederland (MCN) Foundation and the Historisch Railvervoer Nederland (HRN), two associations committed to preserving mobile cultural heritage, have expressed strong opposition to the electrification. In a joint statement titled “The Fairy Tale of Steam Dissolves,” they express their concerns that the locomotives will lose their character and historical significance due to the modifications.
Loss of Authenticity
The associations emphasize that a steam locomotive only deserves its name through the use of steam. Replacing the steam engine with an electric motor would eliminate the characteristic sounds and smells and render the traditional crafts of the engineer and the stoker invisible. According to critics, this leads to an irrevocable loss of the locomotives' authenticity.
Proposals from Heritage Groups
Instead of retrofitting the old locomotives, MCN and HRN suggest purchasing new electric locomotives designed to look nostalgic and donating the original steam locomotives to museums. They criticize the park for choosing a different path, despite these proposals.
Reactions and Outlook
The decision by Efteling to retain the name “Steam Train Company” is viewed by the critics as misleading and unfair. They advocate for a renaming to “Electric Rail Company Efteling” and call on the park management to reconsider their decision.
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