Miljoenenlijn Steam Train - Simpelveld

Experience an old-fashioned steam train on the Miljoenenlijn! Since 1853 Simpelveld has a railway station. It was the first Dutch border station and developed into an important economic centre. At the beginning of the twentieth century the building became too small and was extended. There came a 100 meter long building with two upper houses and a roofed platform. This made Simpelveld the largest station building in Limburg at one time.

Unfortunately, not everything of the building has been preserved. In 1975 a part was demolished and 38 metres remained. This is the present station building. Since 1995, the Stichting Zuid-Limburgse Stoomtrein Maatschappij has taken care of the station and Simpelveld is the central station of the Miljoenenlijn: a popular tourist attraction.

Let yourself be carried along by the steam locomotive through the hilly landscape. While the steam whistle blows on the way, you look out over the hills of South Limburg. In total there are 29 kilometres of track with eight stops. You can take a ride in the direction of Valkenburg and Maastricht, or in the other direction towards Kerkrade and Heerlen. It is also possible to make a ride to Germany, you will then go to Bocholtz and Vetschau.

The construction of this railway was not easy. Because of the hilly landscape, land had to be raised in many places, so that the train did not have to make too many height differences. All this made for a difficult and expensive route, hence the name 'Miljoenenlijn' (Line of Millions)!