October 2018
1) Netherlands Railways DDM first generation standard double deck coach as preserved in the Utrecht railway museum. The second generation of this type of vehicle, called DD-AR, was involved in the Zaandam level crossing crash. Only the later DD-AR type is still in service, after a rebuild into Inter City rather than local stock configuration.
2) the front end of a DD-AR driving trailer/remote control car. My friend Stan Hall took this picture at Utrecht CS to show the obstacle deflecters retrofitted to both front ends of driving vehicles leading sets. This came as a result of the frequent level crossing crashes taking place. It would not have been of use in the Zaandam crash, however, as that vehicle hit the rear bogie/truck of this vehicle at high speed and started a total derailment. Remember in this case also the way the Kerang level crossing crash in Australia developed.
3
Another bit of Ruminating on Railways 