Between the parades, visitors can obtain their train driver’s diploma, board one of the trains themselves as a passenger and explore the area or take a look at the radio-controlled trucks of the Noord Nederlandse Modelbouw Groep.
Many children can’t believe their luck if they can operate the buttons of those old locomotives themselves. “I was on the train because I was going to get my diploma,” says Joas when he just got out of the locomotive. “I liked it. I got to do all kinds of things.” Thije also waits his turn. “I think I’m going to get my umpteenth diploma,” he says with a wink. He really likes the trains. His favorite is a blue-yellow-red colored train in which visitors can take a tour.
Bjorn and Berber also traveled to Erica. They come from Friesland, but are at the campsite in Zuidlaren. “I’m here for my brother to watch trains,” says Berber. She likes it a bit herself, she says while her brother is eagerly waiting behind her. Soon they will drive together with the locomotive. Brother Bjorn thinks the trains are cool, especially the steam trains, he says. “I just think it’s really cool because it seems like it’s all steaming up.”
Organizer Strijker notices that more and more younger people are coming to help with the museum. “There is a club of about eight men my age who are working here now,” he says. “But also a lot a bit older. There is more and more young growth. The youngest is now 15.” Stringer is completely at home here. “It’s a nice club that works with old equipment. I’m quite technical myself. Nice old simple technique. And a nice club of youth.”
Strijker hopes that the new form of the Train Parade will catch on. That will become apparent not only today, but also tomorrow during the parade.