The Siemens-built "Combino" tram, with 155 now delivered, dominate the tram system in Amsterdam. This single-ended version of a 100% low-floor design concept sold to numerous tram systems worldwide has proven its suitability for the tough conditions of the Amsterdam network : tight curves, steep gradients crossing canal bridges, and frequent pointwork. Although there was a scare with Combinos recalled for remedial work after cracks were discovered in many examples, the newly-strengthened cars are giving fine service. First in revenue service in December 2001, the design was carefully chosen by the GVB not only to reduce maintenance and running costs of an ageing fleet, but to include elements intended to enhance passenger security - a major consideration in Amsterdam where trams had become the haunt of unsavoury characters in recent years. There is no place to conceal yourself in Combinos with their clear sight lines along the entire car - and there is always a conductor on board to keep an eye out for mischief.

9G and 10G : Nos 780-815
Delivered 1979-1981 by Linke-Hoffmann-Busch
Electrical contractor : Siemens and Holec
Length : 25.5 m - Width : 2.32 m





 

11G : Nos 901-920
Delivered 1989-1990 by BN (Brugeois et Nivelles)
Trucks : RMO Werkspoor
Electrical contractor : HOLEC
Length : 25.63 m - Width 2.35 m
Double ended trams with low-floor (280 mm) centre section. Built especially for the extension of line 5 to Amstelveen on which certain stations have centre platforms and whose terminus at Amstelveen Binnenhof is a stub terminus.

12G : Nos 817-841
Delivered 1991 by BN (now part of Bombardier)
Dimensions as 11G
Single-ended version of the 11G tram for general use on the Amsterdam network, whose design was based on trams in operation in Den Haag



 

Between 1948 and 1950, Amsterdam took delivery of 60 trams of an unusual 3-axle design, 12 metres long and 2.2 m wide. it proved to be problematic in service and, with the rest of the tram fleet well life-expired by the mid 1950s, led to serious thoughts of totally replacing trams with buses. As it happened, the 3-axlers survived into the early 1980s as Amsterdam retained its tram system.

Tram 640 is from the so-called 4G series of trams built by Beijnes, 23.5 m long and 2.35 m wide, with Schindler trucks and Siemens electronics in 1962 and numbered 635-652. These suppliers were responsible for the earlier 1G, 2G and 3G series between 1956 and 1961 - articulated trams which modernised the fleet and secured the future of the tramway in Amsterdam.

After more Beijnes (later taken over by Werkspoor) tram series of similar basic design with mechanical enhancements, 5G (653-669), 6 and 7G (670-724), the 8G model came from Linke-Hoffmann-Busch in Germany in 1974 and 1975. This car was 23.95 m long and also the new standard of 2.35 m in width and the 55 cars were numbered 725-779.

Some Amsterdam trams have survived after being withdrawn from service in their home city : Classic Amsterdam Werkspoor trams are now operating effectively in magnificent green and yellow livery in Poznan, Poland (Poznan 805 is seen in the summer of 2006, left)

Ex Amsterdam trams are Poznan 800-810 (formerly 615, 619, 621, 622, 605, 610, 613, 623, 624, 626, 630. They are from Series 3G of 1960-61.