A narrow-gauge railway journey takes you through a peat area, mostly along an original route once used to transport peat. In Erica, a historic locomotive shed, a peat-litter factory and local canals also tell the story of this industrial past. There is also a nature area, a walking route and buildings that show different sides of the town.
Narrow-Gauge Railway and Industrial History
The Industrieel Smalspoor Museum offers a narrow-gauge railway journey through the peat area. Its extensive collection includes narrow-gauge locomotives, carriages, tools, photographs and other materials. Accompanied by an experienced locomotive driver, children can drive a narrow-gauge locomotive themselves and then receive a personal locomotive driver’s diploma.
The museum grounds include a four-track narrow-gauge railway shed dating from 1910. It is a Rijksmonument and is considered the only surviving building of its kind in the Netherlands. The Fijnfabriek is also a Rijksmonument: the peat-litter factory is still partly operational and is associated with the production of peat litter. The shed and factory complement the train journey with two tangible examples of the peat area’s industrial heritage.
Peat Area, Nature and Trails
The museum’s circular route passes through a nature area described as a special biotope because of its diverse flora and fauna and more than 70 bird species. The area is part of Geopark de Hondsrug, which has held UNESCO Global Geopark status since 2015. Nature and industrial history are closely intertwined here: the railway line runs through a landscape that was once also used to transport peat.
Another way to explore the landscape on foot is the Niemandlandsroute. It runs along arrow-straight canals, old peat reclamation areas and deserted sandy tracks, and can be followed using the walking junction network. Griendtsveenpark lies in the Amsterdamscheveld, on the border between Erica and Schoonebeek. The route and the park offer different ways to take in the landscape around Erica.
Canals and Local History
Erica was founded shortly after 1860 as a buckwheat colony on sandy soils in the peat area below Zuidbarge. An important step in the town’s development followed in 1867, when the Verlengde Hoogeveensche Vaart was extended from Nieuw-Amsterdam to beyond Erica. Houses and businesses subsequently sprang up along the canal. The history of the canal is therefore also part of Erica’s settlement history.
In the center, at the intersection of Verlengde Vaart and Havenstraat, stands the steel sculpture De Kanaalgravers by Willem Kind. It commemorates the hard work of digging the peat canals and was installed on the site of the former harbor, which has since been filled in. The present-day Roman Catholic church, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Onbevlekt Ontvangen, stands on Kerkweg. It dates from 1933 and was built because its predecessor had become too small. Designed by C. Hardeman, it is in the Traditionalist style.
The canal is also important for boating: the waterway from Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord to Ter Apel is known as the Veenvaart. The opening of the King Willem-Alexander Canal between Erica and Ter Apel made it possible to travel by boat throughout Drenthe.
Discover more destinations: Roswinkel, Emmer-Compascuum, Schoonebeek, Weiteveen, Zwartemeer, Emmen, Nieuw-Amsterdam.
Go to the main travel overview: Emmen.
