An important step for the climate-neutral ambitions of the Dutch theme park

The steam trains that transport passengers around Efteling theme park will be electrically powered in the future. Since the arrival of the first steam locomotive Aagje 55 years ago, the trains have been running on coal. Efteling wants to be climate-neutral by 2030 and aims to be climate-positive by 2032. To achieve this ambition, it is necessary to ensure the trains are more sustainable. Efteling will therefore gradually electrify the current steam locomotives, with the first one set to be introduced during the upcoming Winter Efteling.

The appearance of the trains will be retained, only the propulsion will be modified. To approximate the nostalgic experience of a steam train ride as much as possible, show effects will be added. As such, the Efteling Steam Train Company will simply remain the Efteling Steam Train Company.

Maintain nostalgic experience
The revamped design preserves the nostalgic atmosphere and thus the current experience as much as possible. That was a key principle in the brief for supplier and narrow gauge specialist Alan Keef Ltd of Herefordshire, UK. “We are greatly looking forward to putting our many years’ of experience and passion to work on this wonderful project at Efteling,” says Patrick Keef, Managing Director at this family-owned company. “It really is a special undertaking, where we can put our extensive experience in electrifying trains to good use. Of course, we will undertake this with a keen awareness of the historical value and uniqueness of the steam trains. And ensuring that whatever we remove is preserved for its historical value.”

Alan Keef Ltd is no stranger to Efteling. In 1991, this British supplier built the fourth and last locomotive for the Efteling Steam Train Company, Trijntje. The family-owned enterprise is an authority on narrow gauge and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.