The Netherlands (Holland) has flat and densely populated land. This condition is suitable for development of the railway system. Express bus services are not popular there, and NS takes major transport among cities. As is common in European cities, tram system is developed as well.
* Click each photo to see the detail.
NS EMU IRM
IRM are series of new comfortable rolling stocks for InterCity. It has a double-deck body and air conditioning system.
NS ICR
ICR is a passengers car with a cab, and is driven by a locomotive. It is also used for international services to Belgium.
NS EMU ICM
ICM is an older EMU type for IC, having a connecting door in front.
It is mainly used in routes that do not reach Amsterdam.
DDM - DDAR
DDM and DDAR have a similar double-deck body, and sometimes mixed together. The only difference is that DDM is an EMU while DDAR is towed by a locomotive.
The motor stock of DDM has 3 bogies, unlike normal stocks with 2 set of bogies.
Materieel 64
Materieel 64 (dognose), characterized by its round bonnet, is perhaps the most famous trainset in NS.
NS EMU SGM
SGM can be seen everywhere near Amsterdam. It has rather small bonnet comapring to Materieel 64.
* Click each photo to see the detail.
Metro type M1, M2, M3
Although only one metro line is connected to the Amsterdam Centraal station, it plays a great role in the city transport. Most of the part is constructed above grade (not underground). After the testing of prototype M1 vehicles, type M2 and M3 are introduced for Metro lines.
Sneltram type S1, S2
e is called Sneltram ("snel" means "fast" in Dutch). At 1991, sneltram 51 was opened, and hybrid vehicles S1 and S2 introduced to this line. They are equipped with movable steps, pantographs and collector shoes.
Metro type S3, M4, M5
One line is even categorized into trams. In 1997, part of the metro line (line 50) was opened and M4 vehicles are prepared. Although line 50 is classified into pure metro, M4 can run sneltram with small modification. To increase frequency on sneltram line 51, S3 vehicles are put into service. It has almost identical with M4, but is equipped with panraph.(Thanks to Mr.Epema, for the advice about M4/S3)
Combino Low-floor Tram
While sneltram offers fast LRT-like services, most of tram lines in Amsterdam are very orthodox trams, which mainly run beside streets. Usually conductors are on the trams, checking tickets.
* Click each photo to see the detail.
Metro in Rotterdam
Rotterdam has longer undergroud lines than Amsterdam. Two types of stocks are used, and most of them can collect electricity both from overhead and third rail supply.
Tram in Den Haag
Although Den Haag does not have an individual Metro line, it has a broad tram network. Tram cars run elevated railways at the central station, then they climb out to the underground. After some stops, they finally appear in the surface of the street.
Sneltram in Utrecht
Utrecht has an LRT line, which is called Sneltram (fast tram). The line seems to be new, and everything looks still clean.
