Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway

The Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway is a railway line in the Netherlands running from the port of Harlingen to Bad Nieuweschans, passing through Leeuwarden and Groningen. The line was opened between 1863 and 1868. It is also known as the Staatslijn "B". At Bad Nieuweschans, a connection with the German railway network is provided through the Ihrhove–Nieuweschans railway.

Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway
Map of the trajectory
Overview
StatusOperational
LocaleNetherlands
Termini
Service
Operator(s)Nederlandse Spoorwegen
History
Opened1863–1868
Technical
Line length127 km (79 mi)
Number of trackssingle track (rail), two sections double track
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrificationno
Route map
Km
-0.2
 Harlingen Haven
1.1
 Harlingen
North Friesland Railway
9.6
 Franeker
15.5
 Dronrijp
21.9
 Deinum
to Stavoren
North Friesland Railway
Arnhem–Leeuwarden railway
to Zwolle
24.9
 Leeuwarden
28.0
 Leeuwarden Achter de Hoven
29.7
 Leeuwarden Camminghaburen
36.1
 Hurdegaryp
40.2
 Veenwouden
43.6
 Zwaagwesteinde
50.9
 Buitenpost
61.9
 Grijpskerk
68.7
 Zuidhorn
to Delfzijl
80.4
 Groningen
82.0
 Groningen Europapark
Meppel–Groningen railway
to Zwolle
  freight line to Assen
92.4
 Kropswolde
93.7
 Martenshoek
95.6
 Hoogezand-Sappemeer
97.2
 Sappemeer Oost
102.2
 Zuidbroek
to Veendam
109.7
 Scheemda
114.6
 Winschoten
126.8
 Bad Nieuweschans
Ihrhove–Nieuweschans railway
to Leer (Germany)

History

The Frisian Port of Harlingen was meant to be a segment in an international transport-chain between Great Britain and Eurasia. Already in 1845 some Belgian engineers Xavier Tarte and Castillion Du Portail projected and developed a Pan-European Railwayjunction between Spain via Paris, Wallonië Maastricht- Arnhem- Zwolle onto Harlingen via Leeuwarden, and from Harlingen via Leeuwarden, Groningen and the German border, Nieuweschans onto the Northern German ports Bremen-Hamburg.

It was not until the 1860s before a part of this plan could be completed by the former Dutch government, the administration of mister Thorbecke and the Law to reorganise the statal debts, mr Van Hall. This administration committed the railway-constructions all over the Netherlands outside the so-called pre-occupied presumen 'Economical heart' the 'Randstad-Holland' including the political advanted main-seaports Rotterdam and above all, Seaport Amsterdam-IJmound. Benearth the junction (vlissingen-port)-Breda- Tilburg, With the railway junction Harlingen-Leeuwarden (1863) and Leeuwarden - Leer Germany (1867) Harlingen was the very first harbour that by Administration of the Dutch government directly had been connected with the European hinterland.

Although Harlingen-port was advanced in connecting seaways at the time (until the 1850s) Harlingen did not have any changes to develop its Port and direct Railway connection with Northern Europe, Russia Scandinavia and Baltic States. Moreover, by this time, Harlingen Port must take her opportunity, to get better connected by Railway because of the Law 'Natura-2000' and 'Geomorfological regulations seabed biothope'. The present administration of the ministry of Infrastructure and Environment (I&M) refuses any co-operation in developing Port Harlingen as a partner-port of Randstad ARA-Mainports.

Stations
Leeuwarden railway station in 2013
Groningen railway station in 2008

The main interchange stations on the Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway are:

All stations and stops on the railway are:[1]

References
  1. Overzicht van de spoorlijn Harlingen-Leeuwarden-Groningen-Nieuweschans, Stationsweb. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
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