Steam Pumping Station Halfweg - Halfweg

Steam pumping station Halfweg is a scoop wheel steam pumping station dating from 1852 and is the oldest and largest scoop wheel steam pumping station in the world that is still active. After draining the Haarlemmermeer in 1852, the Rijnland Water Board had nowhere to store the excess water. To be able to drain off that water as quickly as possible, three secondary steam pumping stations were built of which Halfweg was one. The steam pumping station was in operation until 1977. In those 125 years, it moved a total of 14 billion cubic metres of water and used 40,000 tonnes of coal to do so.

Since 1986, the Friends of Steam Pumping Station Halfweg Foundation has been responsible for its maintenance and use as a national monument. Prince Claus reopened the steam pumping station in 1987 after a thorough restoration and since that day, the pumping station has been running under steam for the public several days a year. Add this piece of Dutch history and hydraulic engineering to your cycling route and check the website for the current steam days.