Tram stop at the Miracle of North Holland - Barsingerhorn

A stop of remembrance: this shelter was once part of the tram line between Schagen, Hoorn and Van Ewijcksluis. From 1912 to 1936 a tram puffed here daily through the North Holland landscape. In 2000 the shelter was restored. It now serves as starting and resting point for walkers. And although the track has disappeared, the route is still visible: with a bit of imagination you can almost see the tram running again.

And then there is something else special, right near this spot. Once it was known as ‘the miracle of North Holland’, but it turned out to be a technical feat from the ground: brongas. In 1895 farmer Wouter Sluis from the Beemster discovered by chance that his water pump not only brought up water, but also flammable gas. This methane, also called swamp gas, could easily be collected and used as fuel.

The inventive entrepreneur Lankelma from Purmerend saw big opportunities. He started to build brongas installations at farms in, among others, Anna Paulowna, Wieringerwaard and Winkel. In 1937 Wieringerwaard counted no less than 50 official gas sources, and probably quite some unofficial sources too. With a simple system water and gas were pumped up, after which the gas was collected in a barrel or reservoir. This way farmers provided themselves with energy, long before natural gas or electricity became the norm.

With the arrival of modern facilities brongas slowly disappeared from sight. One old installation is still visible, at short distance from this point. Curious? Then follow the path and turn left onto the Heerenweg. On your left-hand side you find ‘the miracle of North Holland’.