History

'In the early days of Leireken - before and at the turn of the century - it was mostly the same train driver who operated the train and he regarded the little train as his own property; his name was... Valeir. At a level crossing they didn't shout: "Watch out for the train" anymore, but instead they shout: "Watch out, there is Valeir!"

The train was more and more identified with the train driver and thus became the name in vogue. From Valeir it became "Leire" is there. The diminutive was not only used for the small train driver, but also for the little train itself.'

to be continued ...