The Leireken

Somewhat in the shadow of brewery Palm lies the former station of Steenhuffel, now called Leireken. Today it is believed that the station got its name from a vanished steam train. This train was said to be named after a popular engineer: Valère or Leireken. The station was built starting in 1880 to serve the railway line Londerzeel-Steenhuffel-Opwijk-Aalst. In 1952, the station of Steenhuffel was closed. In 1978, there was good news for cyclists and walkers: the former railway track between Londerzeel and Opwijk was transformed into the cycling and walking route Leirekensroute. The municipality of Londerzeel, of which Steenhuffel is a part, became the owner of the station, but this did not prevent the building from gradually deteriorating. In 1984, the non-profit Leireken received it on a 35-year lease. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and the operation of a weekend café, the former station has evolved into one of the most well-known meeting and resting places for cyclists and walkers in Flanders. In the cozy café and on the terrace overlooking a train carriage from 1935, recreational users will certainly find their enjoyment.

Lannoo