Kesteren is a junction station in Kesteren situated between Wolterskanaal and Wezinge, as well as Peperga. Kesteren also serves general goods with a small yard West of the station.
Station Layout
Main Building
The main building carries design elements and inspired by Neo-Renaissance, with the overall aesthetic of the complex having a strong and expressive character, which can be described as picturesque.
The main entrance is a wide and elongated single-story building, with a gabled roof that has multiple sections adding to the intricate appearance of the design, as well as dormer windows protruding from the roof. The entrance extends into a larger building with the same design elements, albeit with the addition of a pavillion which surrounds the extent of the building.
Service Building
The Service Building is the one standing on the right-hand side of the station building's entrance, with a square facade and a small service extension along with upstairs apartment facilities. Like most other stations it too has a gabled roof, including dormer windows which protrude from the roof.
Signal Box
A small signal box rests just beyond the main station building. A simple rectangular shape with stairs leading up to the second story of the small hut.
Track
The majority of traffic runs on a total of four tracks passing through Kesteren, on two primary lanes for passenger or goods use. As such, many switches are in place for marshalling goods or construction materials through the yard and off to the factory. Several slip switches are utilised to make moving to and from the yard a simple feat.
The basis of Kesteren, that being the real Kesteren Station was initially opened in 1882, when the line running between Dordrecht, Geldermalsen, Tiel, Kesteren and Elst was officially put into service. The line itself being built and operated by the State Railways or Staatsspoorwegen (SS).
View from the platform side of Kesteren Station.
Aside from the station, Kesteren would receive a temporary goods yard Southwest of the then station building, however plans to make a permanent yard were taken into consideration in 1883, with construction beginning to the North and East of the temporary yard. This new yard would subsequently give Kesteren its own engine depot, a shed as well as its own turntable.
However, there was a minor issue when planning for the line heading from Kesteren - Amersfoort, which was planned to connect with the Betuwe line, however this would be delayed. The reason for said delay was due to uncertainty as to who would be the main operator of said line between Amersfoort and Kesteren, however it would later be decided that the Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (HIJSM) would be the ones responsible for running the line, which would subsequently open in 1886. With the opening of the Amersfoort line, the HIJSM received its very own station, by simply building an auxiliary station building, albeit after the completed construction of Kesteren Station, all services would be transferred to the new and current building.
View of Kesteren station, showing the two service buildings to either side of the main station building.
Kesteren itself would be seen undertaking a joint venture between the HIJSM and Staatsspoorwegen (SS), with each having their very ownhalf of station, being split equally between the two, subsequently making the station a junction station.
The station would be severely damaged during the second World War, with traces of shrapnel being present in the station's Eastern facade. Following the war, services to Rhenen, Veenendal and Amersfoort would not be resumed right away, due to the Rhine bridge being too badly damaged, as well as the Northern yard. Between the years 1960 and 1961, the raised unloading bays as well as both locomotive and goods shed being demolished.
A fire would break out during the night on the 24th of March which would drag on to the next day in 1963, which burnt down a large portion of the station building, after which it would only be partially rebuilt, and thus a large part of the building and roof was missing, the station would fully reopen 3 years later on February 22. 1966.
The station originally had two service buildings, one to the East and another West, rounding off with a closed U-shape. Only the Western service building remains to this day.
Trivia
Kesteren was based on the station of Kesteren. Together with Peperga it has retained the name it was based on.
Kesteren used to have two ticket booths and two stationmaster's residences for two railway companies: Staats-Spoorwegen and the Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorwegmaatschappij. One residence was bombed during the war, hence there's only one left.
In 1963 a huge fire destroyed a big portion of the station building. However, in Streamlined it is still intact as the game is situated in the 50s.File:ShiibaStatue.pngThe Statue of Shiiba the Dog in Kesteren
At the real Kesteren the right track used to direct you to the bridge at Rhenen. Interestingly, this has been switched around in Streamlined.
Some time after the 50s, the track was pulled up, although some short sections remain.
Towards the south of the platform, there is a statue of "Shiiba the Station Dog", this could be possible reference to Hachiko, which was a dog that waited for nine years at Shibuya station for his owner to return.
The Statue bares a striking resemblance to the real statue of Hachiko that can be found outside of Shibuya Station.
