Museum Stoom en Stroom

Museum Stoom en Stroom in Izegem is a small but remarkable technology museum built around the town's former steam-powered electricity plant. It sits at Prins Albertlaan 3, inside the original power station building that supplied the town with electricity for most of the 20th century.

Where did this power station come from?

The story begins in 1901, when the Izegem town council decided to build its own electricity station in order to provide street lighting for the growing town. Over the following decades the plant was expanded to keep up with rising demand, and in 1936 it received what was then a state-of-the-art tandem-compound steam engine.

What is the museum's main attraction?

The heart of the exhibition is that very same steam engine from 1936. Weighing 110 tonnes, it is considered the largest preserved steam engine in Belgium. It was built in the Carels-Van den Kerckhove workshops, while the components responsible for generating electricity came from ACEC. The engine ran continuously, producing power for Izegem, until the station finally closed in 1966. Twelve years later, in 1978, both the machine and the power station building, with its distinctive factory chimney, were granted protected monument status.

What else can visitors see in the museum?

Besides the main steam engine, the museum displays a collection of six unique miniature steam engines. They were handmade by Roger Lobbestael, who produced every single part himself and assembled each miniature from scratch. The models were acquired through the efforts of the Friends of the Izegem Museums and the Eperon d'Or organisation, adding a more intimate layer to the story of industrial technology told at the site.

Who takes care of the museum day to day?

The engine and the exhibition are maintained by volunteers, who keep the historic machine in working order and guide visitors through the story of the town's electrification. It is thanks to their dedication that the museum still operates and regularly opens its doors, even though it does not run on a continuous, walk-in schedule.

How can you visit Museum Stoom en Stroom?

The museum has no fixed opening hours for individual visitors — access is only possible by appointment, always accompanied by a guide. Visits can be booked through the recreation centre at Sint-Jorisstraat 60, by phone at 051 33 73 03, or by email at [email protected]. This format keeps each visit small-scale and personal, giving the guide room to explain in detail how the engine works and how the town's electrification unfolded.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the museum without booking in advance? No — entry is only possible with a pre-arranged appointment and a guide, booked by phone, email, or through the Izegem recreation centre.

Why is the steam engine so significant for Belgium? Because it is the largest preserved steam engine in the country, weighing 110 tonnes, and it powered the town's electricity supply for three decades.

Since when has the power station building been a protected monument? The building, together with the engine and its factory chimney, was granted protected monument status in 1978, twelve years after the station closed.

What else is worth seeing besides the main engine? The collection of six handmade miniature steam engines built by Roger Lobbestael is a definite highlight.