4. Amsterdam Central-11.07.18

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2018 > 48. Holiday in Brussels & Amsterdam-05-13.07.18 > 4. Amsterdam Central-11.07.18
I finally gained access to the gated Amsterdam central station by using one of their key cards available from a ticket seller. He was more than happy to issue one and was interested in what I was doing. I was able to use the same ticket to access the station next day too by simply scanning it in and out.
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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

186 038, 15.37 Amsterdam Central-Breda (IC 948), Amsterdam Central station 186 038 brings up the rear of the 15.37 to Breda as it leaves Amsterdam Central station. This is a very smart rake of stock with a pair of matching locomotives, we could learn a lot from how the Dutch state railways operate their services even though they have their finger in many of our UK private operations that are not run quite so successfully! Keywords: 186 038 15.37 Amsterdam Central-Breda IC 948 Amsterdam Central station
186 043, 15.49 Amsterdam Central-Rotterdam Central (IC 1050), Amsterdam Central station Things are not what they seem here! This is not 186 043 hauling a single coach into Amsterdam Central station! It is in fact going over the crossover from platform 15 to 14 with the rest of the train out of view! Amsterdam has double length platforms that can accommodate two trains on each except for when one of them is a Eurostar, they are too long. This service was the stock for the 15.49 to Rotterdam Central. Keywords: 186 043 15.49 Amsterdam Central-Rotterdam Central (IC 1050) Amsterdam Central station
1778, 16.06 Amsterdam Central-Enkhuizen (IC 4550), Amsterdam Central station 1778 is ready on the rear of a short rake of double-decker stock to work the 16.06 to Enkhuizen. Enkhuizen is a picturesque town of about 18 000 people in the region of West-Frisia. It has a regular train service to and from Amsterdam with the line ending up as single track by the time it reaches the town. Keywords: 1778 16.06 Amsterdam Central-Enkhuizen IC 4550 Amsterdam Central station
186 226, unidentified working, Amsterdam Central station Siemens built 186 226 enters Amsterdam Central with an unidentified working. A formation such as this arriving at this side of Central station would normally be a working from Brussels but, unless this one was about six minutes early, this was not it! Belgian and Dutch railway punctuality, be it early or late, appeared to be much better than in the UK throughout my stay. Keywords: 186 226 Amsterdam Central station
2986, 14.52 Rhenen-Uitgeest (NS 7450), Amsterdam Central station These class SGMs are referred to as Sprinters. Whilst they bear no resemblance to the UK trains of the same name their function is similar. They were introduced in the mid-1970s but were heavily refurbished in the early 2000s by NedRail so are still in frontline service. This working is a cross-Amsterdam service, the 14.52 from Rhenen to Uitgeest. Rhenen is a small town that saw a lot of World War 2 action where the Dutch army tried valiantly to resist the German invasion in 1940, also, it is on relatively high land being a lofty 140ft above sea level! Keywords: 2986 14.52 Rhenen-Uitgeest NS 7450 Amsterdam Central station
406 007, 16.32 Amsterdam Central-Frankfurt Hbf (ICE 129), Amsterdam station DB ICE 129, the 16.32 Hi-speed working from Amsterdam to Frankfurt stands under Amsterdam Central station's impressive arch. This service is being worked by 406 007. These class 406s were built in the early 2000s specifically for the cross-border operations and are not quite as fast as their class 403 counterparts. This view emphasises the scale of Amsterdam Central station. The cast iron platform roof span is approximately 40 metres. Inside, following extensive refurbishment, the station is light and airy. Keywords: 406 007 16.32 Amsterdam Central-Frankfurt Hbf ICE 129 Amsterdam station
374002, 16.48 Amsterdam Central-Brussels Midi (Eurostar 9177), Amsterdam Central station These class 374 Eurostars are so long that they occupy about 3/4 of the length of Amsterdam Central's extra long platforms. As can be seen here, they extend a considerable distance over the crossovers (under the fourth carriage back) that mark the half way point of the platforms. 374002 waits to leave Central station with the 16.48 to Brussels Midi. Keywords: 375002 16.48 Amsterdam Central-Brussels Midi Eurostar 9177 Amsterdam Central station
1761, 17.00 Amsterdam Central-Hannover Hbf (Int. 241), Amsterdam Central station 1761 waits to leave Amsterdam central station heading the 17.00 International train to Hannover HBf. This really is a 'proper' European train being loco. hauled, crossing international borders and having long rake of comfortable coaches. Also, many of the coaches (both first and second class) were compartment stock. I was very envious looking through the windows, the comfy compartments reminded me of a era on the UK network that has long gone! It was interesting to note that these DB coaches were not ancient throwbacks from the 1960s but were built in the mid 2000s. Keywords: 1761 17.00 Amsterdam Central-Hannover Hbf Int. 241 Amsterdam Central station
Key card for gates This was the key card that was issued to me allowing access to the station. Simply scanning it at the gate line permitted me in and out with no questions or explanations required. The ticket seller who issued it to me spoke perfect English, was interested in what I was doing and was himself a railway enthusiast! How TOTALLY different to the UK where access to gated stations is such a hit and miss affair, where you are looked at with suspicion and have to cow down in order to get on the platform; we have so much to learn with regard to this!

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.