After giving some information regarding the demands on railway transport in the Netherlands, with special reference to passenger traffic, the author describes the development of electric and Diesel-electric traction. The conditions following the railway strike called by the Dutch Government in London in September, 1944, and the subsequent systematic pillaging by the Germans, are described. Information is given on the measures taken to repair the damage and on the post-war extension of the electrified system. The 1 500-volt d.c. system, which was adopted in 1921, was reconsidered in 1945, and has been retained as being the most suitable one for railway conditions in Holland. Hitherto motor-coach trains have been used exclusively, but in the near future it is intended also to use electric locomotives. The Netherlands Railways purchase electrical energy from municipal or provincial electricity supply companies. A description of the substations, the track-sectioning cabins and the overhead lines is given, as well as some figures for the erection costs of these items. Information is given concerning the rolling stock, including a description of the different train-sets, and train resistance is dealt with. The paper concludes with a comparison of electric and Diesel-electric traction, in which the author gives detailed information with the aid of various financial data concerning both forms of traction. From this it will be clear why the Netherlands Railways have decided in favour of electric traction for the further modernization of their system.
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