An exceptional convoy could be sighted in the streets of Rotterdam on Wednesday. A historic metro carriage was transported from Kleiweg to the Kootsekade depot in Hillegersberg. This was arranged by the RoMeO foundation, of the Rotterdam Transport Museum, which maintains historic elements of Rotterdam’s public transport network. 

Built in 1981 by the German manufacturer Düwag, this T/SG2 type metro and express tram carriage numbered 5217, was one of the first on the line towards Ommoord and Zevenkamp. It has since travelled nearly 2.5 million kilometres, through the city, over four decades. It survived a collision with a truck in 2005, and a fire at De Akkers station in Spijkenisse. It’s last ride was in an exceptional convoy to its final resting place at the museum.

This model series originally consisted of 71 carriages, built by Düwag between 1980 and 1984. The carriages, measuring 29,8 metres in length, with one articulation, were originally intended for the Caland line and extension of the Erasmus line to Spijkenisse. Because this metro ran as an express tram in the Prins Alexanderpolder, it was equipped with a pantograph on the roof, to draw power from the overhead wires. Additionally, the carriages are equipped with direction indicators and brake lights.

Though the 5217 was painted green and grey, with red trim in the late 1990s, the museum volunteers have restored its original colour scheme of dark blue with vermilion red. The signature yellow ‘M’ will be painted on later on.

The 5217 can be admired from Saturday 2 July on, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the museum depot at Kootsekade 19.