Stoomgemaal Hertog Reijnout, Steam pumping station in Nijkerk, Netherlands.
Stoomgemaal Hertog Reijnout is a steam pumping station in Nijkerk that uses two large scoop wheels to move water and operates as a protected industrial monument. The building displays the heavy machinery and piping systems that were needed to drain a large expanse of land.
The facility was built in 1883 to replace an earlier windmill that served the same purpose. It operated continuously from its construction until an electric system took over the work in 1983.
The station shows how communities solved water problems through engineering innovation in the 1800s, a solution that shaped how people think about managing landscapes in flat regions. Visitors can observe how steam power made settlement possible on land that would otherwise have remained underwater.
The site includes a visitor center where you can learn how the steam engine worked and its role in drainage. The best time to visit is when the historical equipment is operating or when guided tours are available.
During extreme flood conditions, the heritage steam installation is still activated today and assists the modern electric pumping system in controlling water levels across the farmland. This shows that older technology can remain practical when properly maintained.
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