It’s a bit strange that we didn’t manage to get an image of another thing Haarlem is famous for: the train station of Haarlem. So, we try to make up for it here!
The first railway in the Netherlands opened in 1839 between Haarlem and Amsterdam. Trains were the planes of the 19th century. It was unheard of how fast one could travel from one town to another. The first train had two locomotives called Snelheid (“Speed”) and Arend (“Eagle”). They could reach 90 km/hr but had an average speed of 40 km/hr. It took 25 minutes to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem on the first trip (source: www.schoolbieb.nl).
Locomotive 'De Arend' © Foto: Spaarnestad Photo/Hollandse Hoogte
Just short of two centuries later, we took the train to Haarlem. It took us longer than 20 minutes, but then we were not coming from Amsterdam or travelling at 40 km/hr. Over time the National Railway services have changed and improved immensely. Though, after its privatisation in 1993, there have been curious incidents with service. Autumn leaves were suddenly turning round train wheels to squares causing trains to break down, as if leaves have never fallen before in autumn. Another one was the company forgetting to turn on track heating when it’s freezing minus 10. Yet trains are still a safe way to travel and they are reasonably on time. In the western part of Holland where the large cities are slowly growing into one big metropolis we call De Randstad, you don’t try to get around by car. I mean, you can, but it will take you twice as long and you pay very, very high parking fees.
Haarlem Train Station 1845. Source: www.stationsweb.nl
Train is the best way to travel and arriving in Haarlem train station is like going back in time. The original art nouveau features from 1906 have been retained. Have a look at this wonderful impression by Truusbobjantoo on Flickr:
Haarlem Train Station © Truusbobjantoo
The former waiting lounges have found new use as well. A salsa dancing company is located in one of them, the public library in another.
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