The annual Steam Train Festival will take place at the Maldegem Museum Station over the weekend of 3 and 4 May, celebrating two significant anniversaries: 200 years of railways worldwide and 100 years of regular bus services in Belgium.
Six steam locomotives will be showcased, including a British locomotive symbolising the first passenger train journey in 1825 between Stockton and Darlington. Railway operator Infrabel will also participate with a large diesel locomotive.
Flemish Minister of Heritage, Ben Weyts, attended the official opening and ceremonially drove a steam locomotive into the protected Maldegem station, breaking a ribbon to mark the recognition of the Maldegem-Eeklo railway line as "open heritage."
In celebration of the centenary of Belgian bus services, around fifteen historic buses will be on display and available for short rides, in collaboration with the NostalBus association.
The festival is open from 10:00 to 18:00 on both days. Visitors can enjoy rides on historic trains, explore a fair with books, DVDs, and toys, and marvel at miniature and LEGO trains. A narrow-gauge railway with open carriages is available for children.
Since 2024, the museum station has been recognised as Open Heritage. The site includes historic buildings, 1930s carriages, and part of the original Orient Express.
