Decauville Museum

Paul and I paid a farewell visit to the Decauville museum on the premises of the military training camp Harskamp. This museum collects everything related to 600 mm and smaller utility railways often used for on farms, construction sites, sugar plantations or as in this case transport of military good on the camp. I mentioned it a farewell because this weekend was the last weekend that the museum was open to the general public. The Ministry of Defence has terminated the contract with the museum within a cost saving program. The museum faces an uncertain future and is currently looking for other locations.

Map A general impression of the museum's layout.

1 A general impression of the museum's layout.

DSC01737 First we headed for the workshop. The track of this kind of railways is light and easy to lay. Rolling stock is correspondingly simple and robust. Loco no 12 rests is quietly purring in front of the workshop.

2 First we headed for the workshop. The track of this kind of railways is light and easy to lay. Rolling stock is correspondingly simple and robust.
Loco no 12 rests is quietly purring in front of the workshop.

3 Simple

4 and robust

6 Sharp curves are typical

DSC01728 Loc 22 , built in 1933 by Moës (Belgium) has a stark resemblance to a steam locomotive. It was the general idea of how a locomotive should look like that clearly persisted in this "design". Both in design and construction this locomotive signifies the transition from steam to diesel

7 Loc 22, built in 1933 by Moës (Belgium) has a stark resemblance to a steam locomotive. It was the general idea of how a locomotive should look like that clearly persisted in this "design".
Both in design and construction this locomotive signifies the transition from steam to diesel

11 Loco 21 is very similar

DSC01734 Loco 10, from 1932, was under repair but was running later in the day.

13 Loco 10, from 1932, was under repair but was running later in the day.

DSC01742 By diligent collecting the stock of spares is abundant

15 By diligent collecting the stock of spares is abundant

DSC01744 A serious pile of rails is baking in the hot sun. It was well over 30C (85 F)

16 A serious pile of rails is baking in the hot sun.
It was well over 30C (85 F)

DSC01745 A curious looking double switch

17 A curious looking double switch

DSC01746 The track through the woods. My GPS got a fix now. You can use the link below to spot the location on Google Maps.

18 The track through the woods.
My GPS got a fix now. You can use the link below to spot the location on Google Maps.

20 Ruston loco no 21 wooshing by

21 Another Ruston

DSC01805 An Arnold Jung from 1955. About 900 of this class were built

29 An Arnold Jung from 1955. About 900 of this class were built

DSC01807 Instruction in switch operation

30 Instruction in switch operation

DSC01817 A small passenger train was circulating and stopped every now and then for some explanation.

35 A small passenger train was circulating and stopped every now and then for some explanation.

DSC01832 This particular stop was at the open rolling stock shed.

36 This particular stop was at the open rolling stock shed.

DSC01821 This is what very much looks like a mine locomotive

40 This is what very much looks like a mine locomotive

DSC01826 This carriage is said to be used to carry prisoner gangs to their place of work

44 This carriage is said to be used to carry prisoner gangs to their place of work

47 All kind of lorries

DSC01819 I was picked up by another passenger train, although everything on the entire location is very well within walking distance

54 I was picked up by another passenger train, although everything on the entire location is very well within walking distance

DSC01839 An old crane, probably dating from somewhere between 1850 and 1880

55 An old crane, probably dating from somewhere between 1850 and 1880

60 While riding a train I cast a view in a shed and much to my surprise I thought to see the profile of a steam locomotive

DSC01848 And indeed, it was a Brigadelok. A standard locomotive built in 1915 for the German troops

61 And indeed, it was a Brigadelok. A standard locomotive built in 1915 for the German troops

S-curve

S-bocht

DSC01894 There was also a small exhibition

77 There was also a small exhibition

DSC01904 By now the normal visitors had gone. As this was one of the last riding days preparations start for large line up of serviceable locomotives. A lot of shunting and shouting started.

84 By now the normal visitors had gone. As this was one of the last riding days preparations start for large line up of serviceable locomotives. A lot of shunting and shouting started.