Moerputtenbrug

Den Bosch - The Halve Zolenlijn used to be a train connection between 's-Hertogenbosch and Lage Zwaluwe. Because the route ran through the De Moerputten peat bog, a 600-metre-long railway bridge was built in the 19th century: De Moerputtenbrug. The railway has not been used for years and the rails are largely broken - except at the photogenic Moerputten Bridge. This part of the route is now popular with walkers, runners and cyclists.

Shoe industry in Waalwijk

The Halve Zolenlijn refers to the time when this railway line was built to transport raw materials for the shoe industry in Waalwijk. The plans were grand, because there is even room for a second bridge. But when freight transport was taken over by trucks, the railway line became obsolete. The railway was broken up. What remained was the railway embankment and the monumental iron Moerputten Bridge. Now walkers and cyclists have ample space here!


The Moerputten Bridge near Den Bosch is popular with local cyclists and walkers

Mosquito infestation

The construction of the railway to Lage Zwaluwe was started in 1888. Floods and mosquito infestations delayed construction, but from 1890 onwards 5 trains ran a day. After the railway had become unprofitable, the scrapper was given permission in 1987 to break up the lot. Of the Langstraatspoorweg only the Moerputtenbrug (and the Venkantbrug) were spared. Nowadays the Moerputtenbrug is managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The bridge was restored in 2011 and several hiking trails have been created in the area.