KLM has unveiled its latest Delftware miniature house, as the Dutch carrier celebrates its 104th anniversary.
Every year since the 1950s KLM has produced a new miniature to coincide with the carrier’s birthday on 7 October, which it offers to passengers on intercontinental flights – filled with Bols Dutch genever.
In recent years the carrier has commissioned replicas of the 800-year-old Die Mariaen building located in the city of Den Bosch, Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam, and the Ecury family home on Aruba.
KLM unveils Aruba Delft house to celebrate 103rd anniversary
This year KLM the station building in Valkenburg aan de Geul in the province of Limburg, which is nearly 170 years old.
The station is a national heritage site owned by NS Dutch Railways and railway management company ProRail, and is still used as a stop on the Heuvelland Line between Maastricht and Heerlen.
The castle-like building was designed by architect Jacob Enschedé in early English Gothic Revival style with corner towers and battlements.
It was first put into operation in October 1853 as a stop on the first international rail link between Maastricht and Aachen, and was fully restored in 2005.
KLM recently unveiled renovations at its two international Crown Lounges at Toronto Pearson International and Houston George Bush Intercontinental airports, featuring new display of the carrier’s iconic Delft blue houses.
KLM unveils renovated lounges at Houston and Toronto airports
Commenting on the news John Voppen, CEO of ProRail, said:
“It’s wonderful that Valkenburg Station, the oldest station building in the Netherlands, has been chosen as the latest addition to KLM’s collection. This captures how air and rail traffic are connecting with one another.
“As guardians of this station, we’re also very proud because we feel it is an iconic symbol of sustainability. For many years, we have taken good care of the station here in Valkenburg, which is so close to neighbouring countries.
“Many nationalities pass through our town by train. The fact that replicas of our station will now also be presented to international airline passengers is a great tribute.”
