This museum has among many other interesting objects a substantial tramway covering the entire terrain. It is a sanctuary for many a landmark tram. So rail lovers: go see it, it is the one distinctive feature that makes it different from all other open air museums I have visited so far.
1 The museum park covers a 44 hectares (109 acres) area and is filled with original old buildings that have been relocated here since 1912 (!). No less than 560.000 visitors each year make it the most visited museum outside Amsterdam. The tramway is indicated in grey on this map. All trams run anti-clockwise The tram depot is on the left (no 2.31) and the halts are indicated by blue tram buttons. Apart from its museum aspect the tramway actually serves as a means of transport for getting around. Use of the tram is free, as much and as long as you like.
2 An Amsterdam tram was in service today. Typical for this type is its third axle in the middle. It is used to guide the two powered axles through the curves by means of its sideward movement.
3 60 motor cars and 50 trailers were built between 1948 and 1950. They had a moderate operating life span, being withdrawn from 1968 to 1983. They were relatively slow, being underpowered, the materials used were of inferior quality (so short WW2 Werkspoor had to content with whatever was available) and therefor they were hard on maintenance, passenger circulation was far from optimal. Various plans to rebuild them came to nought. When the modern articulated trams entered the arena their fate was sealed.
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5 An old shunting locomotor from the Dutch Railways
6 An articulated tram from Rotterdam. Built by Düwag between 1964-1969, totalling 95, single-articulated and double articulated. I travelled a lot on them when I was following the primary school and during my teens. The last one was withdrawn in 2004. By that time I had long left Rotterdam, so this tram type is my one big memory of travelling through the city.
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8 This tram car of the Tramway of the Hague (HTM) was built in a class of 50 strong that was delivered from 1919-1921. It survived as brine car (to salt the roads in case of snow or ice) and was brought back to 1950s condition. In total eight of the class survive today.
9 These photos were taken in the museum tram depot
10 It was possible to take a look under the tram
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14 One of the very few Arnhem trams that survived until today. The battle for Arnhem (famed by the film "A bridge too far") abruptly ended tram operation by loss of power on 17 September 1944. Consecutive shelling of the city and a consequential devastating fire in the depot did the rest. After the liberation the tram services were not resumed and replaced by buses. This motor car was originally an unpowered trailer. Built in 1921, 4 motor cars (30-33) and 10 trailers (69-78).
15 This is what I really came for. I was born and raised in Charlois (pronounce shar-lows, close enough). Spent the first 23 years of my life there. Line 2 connected my home with my school. In the 1960's these cars still ran during peak hours.I have model of it in my collection.
16 The class was but one the most numerous tram class in the Netherlands counting 170 motor cars (401-570) an 20 trailers (1001-1020), built around 1930, later extended by 6 (almost) identical motor cars (301-306). Miraculously all cars escaped the bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940. 6 cars were lost during the war. The last of them were withdrawn around 1968 after a respectable contribution to public transport in Rotterdam.
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19 Another example (the museum has three) was on duty, with a Schindler trailer car (1956)
