An empty historical tram from 1931 derailed at a track switch on the Straatweg near a Rotterdam tram depot on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The vehicle was returning to the depot when the incident occurred, with no passengers on board.
According to reports from Rijnmond and Nieuwslens, the rear bogie left the tracks while the front bogie passed through the manual switch without issue.
The cause is believed to be dirt accumulated inside the switch, which is operated directly by the driver.
Recovery Efforts
Recovery operations required significant time and effort from Rotterdam transport network (RET) employees and the tram driver.
Workers used specialized plates to carefully rock the 18-ton vintage vehicle back and forth multiple times to realign it with the tracks.
The immense weight of the tram caused minor damage to the road surface, though structural impact remains limited.
Police managed traffic flow, directing vehicles alternately past the stranded tram during a partial road closure lasting approximately one to one and a half hours before the vehicle was safely towed away.
