Children's Railway, Train ride attraction at Efteling, Netherlands
The Children's Railway is an attraction at Efteling where young riders control pedal-powered trains traveling on a dedicated track through landscaped areas. Passengers navigate their own journey along the route.
This attraction was established in 1954 by Peter Reijnders as Pedal Trains, originally set within a farm environment with cornfields and a station called Blue Heron. The core concept has remained part of the park's development over decades.
The trains carry names of different bird species, connecting children with nature through the journey. This naming approach adds a playful educational element to the ride experience.
Each ride lasts about two minutes and the attraction handles roughly 750 visitors per hour, allowing families to easily combine it with other park activities. Be aware that children must meet minimum requirements to pedal independently.
During winter months, the track transforms into a cross-country skiing route called the Panting Deer, offering visitors a completely different seasonal use. This transformation shows how the facility adapts to different times of year.
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