Hercules

J.F.T. Steenbergen

J.F.T. Steenbergen, a modeller in Amsterdam, built a realistic wooden model of the broad-gauge locomotive ‘Hercules’ in 1843, and later another one named ‘Aquarius’. The Nederlandsche Rhijnspoorweg-maatschappij (NRS) purchased the real steam locomotive from the British locomotive builder Sharps, Roberts and Company in 1841. It is unclear whether the NRS commissioned Steenbergen to make this model or he did so of his own volition. There may have been a connection to the Dutch manufacturers Paul van Vlissingen and Dudok van Heel, who also built two steam locomotives from the series for the NRS.