Nederlandse Spoorwegen: Vintage Photos of the Dutch National Railways in the 1950s

In the 1950s, the Dutch National Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) played a central role in the everyday life of the Netherlands. It was the primary mode of transportation for people and goods, and it was a crucial link between cities, towns, and villages.

These photos capture the unique ambiance that surrounded the Dutch National Railways in the 1950s. The images showcase the bustling train stations, the locomotives and carriages, and the diverse cast of characters who passed through them. The photos also provide a glimpse into daily life in the Netherlands during this time period. People from all walks of life can be seen waiting for trains, boarding carriages, and disembarking at various stations.

These vintage photos offer a fascinating look at the Dutch National Railways in the 1950s. They capture a time when the railways played an integral role in Dutch society and showcase the unique ambiance and character that was present at train stations throughout the country.

#1 A standard train waiting for Nieuwersluis. Due to the strong backlight on this February day, it is somewhat difficult to see, but for this line there is a lot of crowds on the platform, February 22, 1950

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#2 A view over the yard that protrudes above the bare polder plain to the workshop and locomotive shed of Uithoorn with the coal park, wagons with and for coal and the water column, February 22, 1950

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#3 Enschede station, one of the most eastern stations in the Netherlands, March 1, 1950

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#4 From behind the station building, the train to Amsterdam has been prepared, Aalsmeer, circa 1950

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#5 Into the locomotive shed, where the 7009 has been stored cold above the pit for maintenance or repair of a small defect. On the right is the 7706, a type that was also used on the Haarlemmermeer lines, February 22, 1950

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#6 Mijdrecht, a name that arouses mixed feelings among railway enthusiasts, February 22, 1950

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#7 On the way to Amsterdam, just such a standard composition passes one of the many guard houses along the track. It is no.33 on the Karselaan in Amstelveen, circa 1950

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#8 Oosteinde station is opened in 1915. In 1930, to avoid confusion with a nearby hamlet, the name was changed to Aalsmeer Oost. Goods traffic was still possible until 1972, after which the last remnant was also broken up, circa 1950

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#9 Such a “multifunctional” building was not very common at the HESM Look south from the Amsterdamseweg in Amstelveen, February 22, 1950. This stop was last operated in September 1950. The building was demolished in 1986

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#10 The 7001 departs from Amstelveen station in an impressive way. Given that he is on the right track, he will head towards Aalsmeer, February 22, 1950

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#11 The 7003 is ready for the train to Amsterdam, blowing small clouds of smoke over the platform, Uithoorn, February 22, 1950

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#12 The 7008 puffing in Bovenkerk. The train, again assembled according to the 1+1 standard, is on its way to Aalsmeer, February 22, 1950

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#13 The first locomotive arrives on July 7, 1950 in Tilburg, to arrive 2 days later to Amsterdam Zaanstraat

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#14 The station Legmeerpolder is lonely in the thick black clay – so no stop, February 22, 1950. This station was also in service until September 1950. It was demolished in 1963

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#15 The ultimate tranquility that the Haarlemmermeer lines radiated when there was no train in sight, February 22, 1950

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#16 Train with no fewer than three carriages ready for departure to the capital. The locomotive personnel have arrived at their machine packed and ready to go, Aalsmeer, circa 1950

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#17 Vinkeveen station with the station master annex signal box keeper stood a bit stiffly in front of the door of his Post B, February 22, 1950

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#18 A box full of bottles is being transferred into baskets, Schiedam, 1951

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#19 A loose three-axle marble carrier car at the Maarn Goederen yard. The car carries the code 92316mw and can load 30 tons of the precious stone, July 16, 1951

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#20 In front of the warehouse of the Werkplaats Zaanstraat, October 29, 1951

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#21 The carriage cleaner in the Amsterdam Werkplaats Zaanstraat, October 29, 1951

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#22 An inspector (or other high-ranking official) has arrived by service bicycle to discuss things critically with the local farmers, Broek op Langedijk, August 21, 1952

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#23 Pernis, August 14, 1952

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#24 Remnants of the Haarlemmermeer railway lines, which were still just in passenger service, February 1950

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#25 The then brand-new ELD2 train set 296 in Den Bosch, October 11, 1952

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#26 Entrance, Haarlem, November 11, 1953

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#27 Advertisement along the first platform of Station Utrecht Centraal, February 8, 1954

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#28 Hotelplan Expres (here with one ‘s’) which goes from The Hague Central to Switzerland, Austria and Italy, September 18, 1954

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#29 Goodbye to acquaintances, family and loved ones at a departing train on track 8a (then- 3rd platform west side) on the D train drawn by an 1100 to Paris, De Wallen, 1955

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#30 AEG ticket printer at the counter of Amsterdam Centraal Station, July 1956

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#31 The service telephone with which the drivers could contact the signal posts along the track and at stations, Velp, November 13, 1956

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#32 Takers at exit check at the brand new Sloterdijk station, March 8, 1957

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#33 The most famous steam locomotive in the Netherlands from the waiting room in Roosendaal, December 1, 1957

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#34 A Hondekop no.747 departing from the old station, Schiedam, June 12, 1958

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#35 The Rijnenburger mill near Hazerswoude, a tow of Interfrigo cars on the way to Leiden Lammenschans, where the refrigerated trucks may be unloaded at the auction, July 22, 1958

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#36 At the Schiedam station, July 14, 1959

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#37 Fish load. Until 1994, fish was transported by rail from IJmuiden, September 12, 1959

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#38 Lady gets coffee from a vending machine at Amsterdam Central Station. The device is placed against the back of the freight elevator, October 19, 1959

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#39 The BDk 806 in the Hoofdwerkplaats Haarlem was being finalized in order to be able to send the train set material ’40 back into service as good as new, October 20, 1959

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