Dream journeys

Activity: Presentation
Age: All ages

In ‘Dream Journeys’, you are transported into the world of the ‘Belle Époque’. During this era, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the train became an increasingly accepted and widely used mode of transport. As long distances could be covered in less time, travellers were able to journey to ever more distant and exotic destinations. Tourism began to take off, although during this period it was still the preserve of the wealthy traveller.

Entrance

Above the entrance, you can see a painting inspired by the fairground theatres and circuses of the late 19th century. Before you enter a travel agency dating from around 1900, you pass photographs of famous international railway stations. Inside the travel agency, you can see old travel guides, posters, paintings, an old telephone exchange, telegraph machines and a remarkable clock (‘the keeper of time’). On the left is a beautiful model railway of Amsterdam Central Station from 1889.

Look at the Amsterdam CS Modelrailway 1889

Platform

Step onto the platform in the next room and imagine yourself in Paris. On the right stands the dining car of what is perhaps the most famous train in the world: the Orient Express. The tables are laid; it was here that wealthy travellers enjoyed sumptuous dinners during their three-day journey to Constantinople. On the left is another gem: a carriage from the Dutch Central Railway Company (NCS) dating from 1902. This train ran between Utrecht and Baarn, and between Utrecht, Bilthoven and Zeist, carrying affluent commuters from the Gooi region.

Kasbah

The Orient Express travelled from Paris to Constantinople in three days and nights. On the right, you can see an Oriental kasbah. Here, you can really feel the atmosphere of an Oriental city; don’t forget to watch the videos of the Orient Express’s faraway destinations.