Spoorwegmuseum

Spoorwegmuseum, the Dutch Railway Museum, is a museum in Utrecht, Netherlands, focusing on the history of rail transport in the country. Located at Maliebaan, the building is a historic railway facility repurposed as a museum. The institution presents a broad overview of Dutch rail history from the earliest steam era to modern traction, with a collection of locomotives, carriages, wagons, and signaling equipment.

Exhibits explore technical development, infrastructure, signaling, timetable organization, and passenger experience. Highlights include preserved steam locomotives and historic rolling stock, as well as signage, documents, and interactive displays that explain railway operations and safety.

The museum is operated by a foundation in collaboration with the Dutch national railway company, with support from other partners. It engages in conservation, research, and education, offering temporary exhibitions, educational programs for schools, and events for rail enthusiasts. The site includes both indoor galleries and outdoor displays, and, on some occasions, operates heritage train rides within the grounds.

Annual attendance places it among the Netherlands’ leading museums. The Spoorwegmuseum serves as a repository for the nation’s railway heritage and as a resource for researchers and a popular destination for families and technology enthusiasts.