On 28 September 2026, PostNL will issue a remarkable new kaderpostzegelvel (stamp sheet) dedicated to the steam locomotives that once powered the Dutch rail network. Titled Stoomlocomotieven, this issue brings together five historic locomotives, each portrayed in two distinct visual styles — a contemporary photograph and a period technical drawing — creating a compelling dialogue between documentation and engineering artistry.
Designed by Jan van Mechelen of Rotterdam-based studio ZEE, with illustrations by Iwo Tuleya (Willem de Kooning Academy graduate), the sheet contains 10 different stamps arranged in five horizontal strips. The perforations run the full width of the sheet, allowing collectors to use entire strips on mail — preserving the complete visual narrative of each locomotive across the breadth of an envelope.
The Five Legendary Locomotives
The selection was made in close consultation with the Spoorwegmuseum (Dutch Railway Museum) in Utrecht, ensuring historical relevance and visual diversity. The five locomotives span the evolution of Dutch steam traction:
Nestor
One of the earliest and most recognizable Dutch steam locomotives, representing the pioneering era of rail transport in the Netherlands.
Blauwe Brabander
Named for its striking blue livery and Brabant origins, this locomotive became a beloved symbol of regional pride.
Blikken Tinus
Affectionately nicknamed "Blikken Tinus" (Tin Can Tinus) for its distinctive sheet-metal construction and utilitarian charm.
De Beul
A powerful workhorse of the Dutch network, known for its reliability and strength on heavy freight duties.
Grote Jumbo
The largest and most imposing of the group — a true giant of the rails that commanded respect on every line it traversed.
Each locomotive appears twice on the sheet: once as a photograph capturing the machine in its physical reality — weathered metal, steam, motion — and once as a technical drawing revealing the engineering precision beneath the surface. This dual presentation invites the viewer to appreciate both the romance and the rigorous mechanics of steam power.
Design Philosophy: A Sheet That Works as a Whole
Jan van Mechelen approached the project with a clear vision: "I wanted to use the entire sheet effectively and arrived at five horizontal strips, where per drawing the front of the locomotive sits at the sheet edge, and on the other side of the strip textual information appears at the edge. I had the perforation run across the full width of the stamp sheet. I hope that someone who needs two stamps will affix the entire strip on the mail piece, so the image of that one locomotive remains intact across its full width."
The alternating orientation of the locomotives — some facing left, others right — creates a dynamic rhythm across the sheet, ensuring that photographs and drawings never sit directly above one another. The result is a sheet that functions both as a practical postal product and as a cohesive visual composition.
How Steam Locomotives Work
A steam locomotive is driven by a steam engine. Water is boiled using fuel (typically coal), producing steam under high pressure. This steam moves pistons, which via a connecting rod system drive the wheels. It is a marvel of 19th-century engineering that transformed the Netherlands — and the world — by shrinking distances and accelerating commerce, migration, and communication.
Quick Facts — Stoomlocomotieven
| Title | Stoomlocomotieven |
| Issue Date | 28 September 2026 |
| Format | Kaderpostzegelvel (stamp sheet) with 10 different stamps |
| Country of Issue | Netherlands |
| Value Indicator | 1 — for post up to 20g within the Netherlands |
| Article Number | 860041 |
| Print Run | 6,000 sheets |
| Stamp Size | 30 × 40 mm |
| Sheet Size | 170 × 122 mm |
| Designer | Jan van Mechelen, Rotterdam (ZEE) |
| Illustrator | Iwo Tuleya, Rotterdam |
| Colours | Cyan, magenta, yellow, black + phosphor |
| Printer | Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé BV, Haarlem |
| Printing Technique | Offset |
| Gum | Gummed (gegomd) |
| Price | €14.00 |
| Themes | Transport, Railway Heritage |
Why This Issue Matters to Collectors
The Stoomlocomotieven sheet sits at the intersection of several collecting interests: railway philately, Dutch postal history, thematic collecting (transport/engineering), and design-focused philately. The low print run of only 6,000 sheets ensures scarcity, while the consultation with the Spoorwegmuseum guarantees historical authenticity.
For collectors of kaderpostzegels (frame stamp sheets), this issue continues PostNL's tradition of innovative sheet design where the selvage and layout are as considered as the stamps themselves. The full-width perforation is a thoughtful touch that encourages use on mail — a nod to the original purpose of stamps, even in a collectible product.
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