Train Cab Ride NL / Amsterdam - Utrecht - Leiden - Utrecht / Empty Train + DDZ Intercity / July 2020

Welcome on board of the DDZ double decker working for the Dutch Railways! Today we get to ride this beautiful train as an empty train from Amsterdam via Hilversum to Utrecht. After arrival in Utrecht we take the same train for a ride with passengers to Leiden and back to Utrecht.

Amsterdam - Hilversum - Utrecht:
We start the day with an early shift. It's still dark outside but the first light of the sun is already showing so it won't be complete darkness. Also the lights in Amsterdam will give you a good impression of where we're going.

Because of construction works between Amsterdam en Utrecht we will be diverted via HIlversum instead. The train is planned with a lower speed as we will run the train. This causes us to drive ahead of schedule. I did this on purpose to have some extra time to change the trains direction in Utrecht.

At arrival in Utrecht our arrival platform is occupied by another train waiting for its first ride. All according plan and there's enough space left for our train. Because the track is occupied we must drive on sight from the last signal (flashing-yellow) to the platform.

Utrecht - Leiden:
After arrival in Utrecht we change the trains drivers direction and make the train ready for its first ride with passengers for the day. I always like driving on this route because I don't drive here a lot. The route will take us to Woerden and after that station we keep right to get to Bodegraven, Alphen aan den Rijn, Leiden Lammenschans and Leiden.

It's a relaxing ride with no difficulties. Just before Leiden Lammenschans there's a temporary speed limit. This speed limit is marked by the yellow with the L and the 10. This means slowing down to 100km/h. At the next signal with the A the speed must have been reached. The green E is the signal for the end of the temporary speed limit on this track.

Because the train from the opposite direction is still blocking our way we also hit a red signal. This is causing and even lower speed for our train. And the lowest speed is always the one that counts! With a small delay we arrive at Lammenschans. In Leiden Central Station we're back on schedule.

Leiden - Utrecht:
In Leiden we change the drivers direction again and then get back to Utrecht with the same train. Just before Lammenschans you can see the signs for the temporary speed limit again. But as soon as we have reached the junction after Lammenschans you can see the green E while we didn't reach the temporary speed limit yet. This is because that speed limit is only valid for the other track. Since the junction doesn't lead to that track we may speed up our train to the normal speed again.

Just before Woerden we get behind on schedule because there's a train ahead of us with a small delay. From this point on you can see it's a very busy line with sprinters and intercity's. As soon as we hit the first yellow sign (limit to 40km/h) we can't speed up until we have reached the station. Just after departure we can speed up the train to the maximum allowed track speed again.

Then, just before Vleuten we must change tracks to pass the delayed sprinter. But also the intercity's you just saw passing by were delayed. That's why we hit the red light that change to flashing-green with an 8 later because that's the maximum speed for the junction ahead.

With a small delay we reach the final stop for this video. I hope you enjoyed the ride. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments and of course I will come back to you! :D Thank you all for showing interest in my channel. Tell the word, stay safe and have a wonderful weekend! Cheers!

All ride info:
78812: no info available
8812: https://treinposities.nl/ritinfo/2020...
8823: https://treinposities.nl/ritinfo/2020...

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