There is almost nothing left of the Haarlemmermeer railway lines: "Hope to find a ticket"

Cor Wies did not always delve into Haarlemmermeer's past: "At a funeral we talked about a few old photos of Hoofddorp. That's how it started." That moment was already 30 years ago, but it turned Cor Wies into a collector.

From that moment on, the 62-year-old plasterer started looking for the history of his municipality. It makes him a great expert on Haarlemmermeer history. He still scours fairs, flea markets and antique shops looking for old photos, books or topographical maps. "The fact that no one else is crazy enough to collect this makes it easier," he says jokingly.

First Stone

Although the largest part of his collection consists of paper, he also has a nose for other special things. For example, he is the proud owner of the foundation stone of the first 'secretary' of Haarlemmermeer, laid on June 28, 1856 by the first mayor; Matthijs Samuel Petrus Pabst.

It was built into a house that had to be demolished for the construction of one of the Calatrava bridges. Cor knew the owner of the house and was allowed to chip the stone from the facade. He sometimes lends it to the Historical Museum Haarlemmermeer for an exhibition, but then it has to be returned quickly. Just like a number of commemorative medals in honor of the reclamation of the Haarlemmermeer: ​​"They would like to have those at the museum, but that doesn't happen. I'm too much of a collector for that."

Unique piece of film

Almost nothing can be found of the Haarlemmermeer railway lines, which were in use between 1912 and 1935. In addition to two former stations, only in some places is the void left behind when the track was closed. The cut in the Geniedijk, for example, where the railway cut through. Or the dike where the railway was located and which is now not allowed to be built on because a clean water pipe was laid through it in the 50s.

Cor can still bring the last ride on the track to life. He owns a piece of film from 1935 in which you see the train driving through the landscape. By chance he came across this special find: "I was looking for old photos in an antique store in Haarlem. I didn't find any, but the owner then came up with this 35mm recording. That felt like finding a treasure."

It is one of the oldest films of the railway that still exists. Some of those original images can be seen in this broadcast of 'Used Stones'.

Unused ticket

No matter how full Cor's house is, there is always room for that one special find that is yet to come. It is impossible to predict what that will be, but he cautiously dreams of a train ticket for that very last trip. In a newspaper article from that time, he found that there were people on that last ride who bought a ticket but did not get on. "They weren't taken at the time. So I hope to find them again!"

Sugar factory

There is more industrial heritage in Haarlemmermeer that is worth seeing. The sugar factory is located in Halfweg. Sugar hasn't been made there for a long time. One of the things you can do there now is buy clothes. The iconic silos have undergone a metamorphosis years ago, but many rooms of the complex are still in their original state. These will also be given a new purpose. Preferably without losing the industrial atmosphere.

Watch the episode

Did you miss this broadcast of Used Stones? Then watch it now website of NH News or through the YouTube channel of NH News.