Station Wilnis

In 1914, a charming train station arose in the quaint village of Wilnis. Station Wilnis, a standard design of the Haarlemmermeerspoorlijnen, opened its doors on December 1, 1915. This station wasn’t just a stop on the Aalsmeer – Nieuwersluis-Loenen railway line. It held a unique distinction. Its station chef was the only female station chef in all of the Netherlands. Imagine the bustling activity, the hiss of steam engines, and the determined presence of this pioneering woman amidst the traditionally male-dominated railway world. Station Wilnis served the community for 35 years before its closure on September 3, 1950. Though the trains no longer stop, the station building itself remains. A testament to a bygone era. It stands proudly at Ingenieur Enschedeweg 14, a listed municipal monument in De Ronde Venen. A stroll along the former railway line reveals more of Station Wilnis’s story. The Bellopad, a walking path named after the NS 7742 locomotive that once graced these rails, passes right by the old station. An information board tells the tale of the station and the Bellopad, inviting visitors to step back in time. In 2006, a unique art installation was erected along the former track, east of the station. A white frame displays the numbers “20” and “06,” mirroring the distinctive font used on the old Haarlemmermeerspoorlijnen watchtowers. This modern addition subtly connects the past with the present, reminding us of Station Wilnis’s enduring legacy in the heart of Wilnis.