Zwolle to Den Haag | Across the lowlands of Flevoland
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- čas přidán 8. 02. 2024
- Zwolle in Northeastern Netherlands is the capital of the province of Overijssel and it is beautiful, surrounded as it is by canals and waterways.
The line to Den Haag takes the rail traveller through the man-made island of Flevopolder in the region of Flevoland. This place was only reclaimed from the sea in the 1950s and 60s and I wondered what a land so new and a land that exists mostly below sea level might be like.
Join me to find out!
Departure: Zwolle, The Netherlands
Destination: Den Haag, The Netherlands
Operator: NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
Date of Travel: December 2023
Total Distance: 154 km / 96 miles
On train duration: 1 hr 39 mins
Average speed: 104 km/h 65 mph
Motive power: NS ICM 'Koploper' electric multiple unit (1983-1990)
Example Costs:
+ First Class single €42,84 / £36.50
+ Second class single €25,20 / £21.50
+ I was travelling with a 1st Class Interrail 10 days in 2 months ticket
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!
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For the title centraal the city needs to fulfil some criteria: the city needs to have 100.000 people living in it, the station needs to have 40.000 passengers per day and and there must be at least two other stations in the city. Also the local council needs to pay for the change, new signs and changes in the computer systems. Costs around 100.000 to 150.000 euro’s
For why our trains are dirty, cleaners are under staffed and our train washing installations are old and break often, plus we have to few of them.
Just came across your videos and binged the Netherlands ones. I really like them and I always find it interesting to see what other people think of the trains and stations i see every work day.
Thomas (train driver NS)
Hi Thomas! - thank you so much for that very helpful comment and for watching the videos. It is a real shame that the trains are so dirty as the NS livery is so smart when the trains are new/clean! I will return soon as I didn't get a chance to ride on one of the new ICNG trains.
Best wishes to you 👍
Unfortunately, you didn't have time to leave the train in Leiden. Behind the modern offices at the station is one of the nicest cities in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, most tourists don't get any further than Amsterdam, but smaller cities such as Leiden, Delft, Utrecht, Haarlem, Zwolle or Amersfoort are definitely worth a visit!
My daughter went to Leiden recently and was telling me how lovely it is. I have been to Amsterdam, but I have no desire to fight through all the crowds again. As you say, there are so many other wonderful places in The Netherlands!
Thanks for watching too 👍
If there's more than one station "centraal" tends to be used whereas "centrum " means the centre as in city centre. E.g. "Ik ga naar de centrum" means "I'm going into the city centre"
Thannks! 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels Also the number of people using the station is a criterium for giving the station the suffix Centraal. For example it is Arnhem Centraal in Arnhem, but Breda (which has more inhabitants but less passengers) does not have Centraal.
@@wpjo74 Thanks 👍
I like how the conductor is telling the driver in Leiden that they are "too early. Don't know if you realized that".
Ah no. I don't speak any Dutch. Interesting!
Thanks for watching 👍
As a student (Dutch students got free train travel back in the day) I used this train a lot. It's still the same, only a bit shabby and worn out, when we used it in the early 90s it was brand new if it was one of the later ones commissioned in 1990.
I have great memories in these trains, I lived in the east of the Netherlands, and went to Utrecht or Amsterdam or Rotterdam for all the things those cities have that smaller ones don't, and these trains always brought me safely back at 01:00:am (or 06:00 am if we missed the last one)
Those sound like very good nights out!
Thank you again Johnny for yet another very interesting video. You obviously take the time to research these areas and places which is always appreciated, it’s like having travelling history and geography lessons 😊
Thank you, so very kind. I just make videos about things that interest me. I'm so please that you find them interesting too! 👍
Memories of "Please Sir" and Mr. Hedges, or was it Mr. Hoover?@@JohnnyHooverTravels
@@colinriley123 I'd like to think my viewers are not that rabble from Please Sir! 😉
I have been loving these videos through the Netherlands. A really interesting journey sandwiched between two lovely stations. I have limited experience of travelling by train in the Netherlands but was very impressed by Utrecht Centraal when I visited last summer. It is a transport hub in the true sense of the word - buses, trams, bicycles work seamlessly along with a station reaching all parts of the Netherlands. The underground bicycle parking is absolutely huge - 3 levels and room for over 12,000 bicycles; unbelievable. I hope to be back in the Netherlands this summer so I may have to adapt my itinerary somewhat after watching your recent videos. Keep them coming.
Yes, I went to Utrecht with my wife a few years ago, so didn't include it on this trip, but we really liked it for sure.
I really enjoyed my time in the Netherlands and there were definitely a lot of places I only passed through or places I completely missed that I really should go back and visit. So it won't be the last time in NL
Thank you for watching and for. the lovely kind words 👍
It's a funny thing that the main stations in Flevoland are named "Centrum", in 1999 Almere CS was renamed to Almere Centrum. But when the "Flevolijn" (Weesp-Lelystad Centrum) was built in the 1980's, Lelystad was already named "Centrum" wich refers to City Center. I think Almere CS was renamed because there are so many stations in Almere.
Cool. Thanks for all that added background. and also, thanks for watching 👍
7:19 The reason why Lelystad and Almere have the name "Centrum" and not "Centraal" is because of daily passengers on those stations. Centraal stations need to have at least 40000 daily passengers, which Lelystad and Almere do not have, so they get named Centrum instead.
The difference between "centrum" and "centraal" lies in the meaning of the term centraal station ,as an international stopping station,on an international trainroute,centrum is the innercity trainstation.
Very True. "Centrum" is more indicating a place, the "centre" of the town. "Centraal" is a moniker for the largest (and oldest) stations in NL. Something meaning like "main".
Thanks to all of you on this thread for the explanation. And thanks to you all for watching. 👍
Another great journey, Johnny :-) Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure. Thank you for watching 👍
Thanks! What a lovely watch
Very kind of you to say so. thank you so much for taking the time to watch 👍
Interesting to me to see the Zwolle station which I saw a number of years ago when it was being remodeled.
Pleased I could give the chance to see it finished. thanks for watching 👍
Nice journey, really enjoyed watching
Thanks Simon 👍
I do like what the trams do in Den Haag, just casually popping in and out of buildings. 😊
Yes, it's nuts! Thanks for watching 👍
Not at all......
Seeing how much you enjoy Benelux (as do I) I wonder if you might start a little adventure from Luxembourg then down to Augusta Treverorum (Trier) and along the beautiful Mosel to Koblenz? Wherever you go my wife and I will enjoy sharing your experiences..keep up the good work please. 🤗
Thanks! I shall make a note of that route!
And thanks for watching this one and following the videos on the channel. It is very much appreciated 👍
Zwolle was a rich Hanze city in the past and it's still the capital of the province of Overijssel .
The Hanseatic League was a major trade union in northern europe, from Flanders to the Baltics. The Dutch wealth is based on this, Our 'Golden Age' in the 17th century is more centered around the trade with the Far East and the Age of Colonization, but that was only possible to do with the massive profits from the Hanze Trade in the previous period 13th-15th century.
Zwolle has some of the most iconic medieval churches in the Netherlands, outside Holland, well worth a visit
thanks for that extra information. yes, I loved Zwolle and would wish to return and spend more time there. 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels If you are in the neighbourhood you might want to take one train further and go to Kampen. Also a Hanseatic city with an arguably even more preserved city centre
@@CheekyCheeky i shall remember that if i return to the region. Thank you. And thanks too for watching 👍
Indeed Interrail QR codes work in the Netherlands. As a matter of fact my experience is that they work everywhere in Europe (or at least in the countries where I was) except.... wait for it.... the UK! :D
Haha - yes certainly the UK is a dead zone for reading the QR code. It didn't work in Portugal either.
Thanks for watching 👍
it was decided that the Centraal label should only be given to stations that meet certain criteria regarding passenger throughput and the number of other stations serving that same city, it also needs to serve Intercity trains (obviously). Almere Centrum, Lelystad Centrum, Schiedam Centrum, Veenendaal Centrum and a few others were named as such because they did not meet the criteria, but were still intended to serve sizeable urban centers. It's a naming convention from the 1980s and 90s when most cities had already suburbanized extensively, so it makes sense.
Indeed, 100.000 inhabitants, two other stations in the same place and a minimum of 40k passengers per day
Ah. Thank you for clarifying the rules.
...and, of course, thank you too for watching 👍
Great stuff, cheers. Zwolle looks like a fine city.
Yes. It was really nice. I will definitely go back 👍
To receive the title of 'Centraal' (or Central )a station has to fulfill certain requirements (population of city, there must be at least three stations in the city and there is minimum of passengers required). It basically indicates to anyone that its a in important transport hub and city. Centrum (or city centre) usually indicates the station is the most nearest to the city centre. Considering Almere has six train station, its a logical choice to give this title to the station located in the city centre. Lelystad Centrum received its name when more stations were planned in the city, but these were never build as the development of the city never really took off as planned.
Thanks for the background information. Very helpful.
And thanks too for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels The exception is Leiden Centraal. Leiden only has two stations (because De Vink isn't officially a Leiden station) but simply paid a sum of money to be a "Centraal" station. Given that it's the sixth station of the country in terms of passenger numbers, and an important hub, it's not wholly unjustified.
Excellent again JH
Thanks 👍
Excellent ciseo as always, great acenery, hope all is well, take care
Thank you. nice of you to say.
All is good here. Best wishes to you from Devon 👍
Great Video
Thank you. Much appreciated. And thanks also for watching! 👍
Another good video. Zwolle looks nice I'll try and go next time I'm in Rotterdam
Yes, do. I highly recommend it and it would not be a difficult train ride from Rotterdam.
Thanks for the kind words 👍
I prefer the ‘koploper’ trains to the newer stock.
I did enjoy the ride. I've yet to try the new ICNG trains though.
Thanks for watching 👍
As iconic as the ICM koploper is. It’s clearly an aging train, it’s quite slow in gaining speed, it makes an awful lot of weird noises now (especially if you are sitting near the pantograph) and it has compared to modern trains a difficult boarding procedure especially when traveling with a buggy or wheelchair.
The ICNG is a new modern train for the 21st century, level boarding, big toilets, can travel up to 200km/hr and easily cross borders with Belgium and Germany.
Interrail works on Dutch barriers because NS put forward some of their systems to help the interrail team out (and Interrail HQ is close to NS’s HQ in Utrecht!)
Ah - that makes sense. It is very useful that they do. Everywhere else it is sometimes a struggle to find someone to let you through the barriers!
Did you notice the 'dip' in the railwayline at 03:47? The railwayline was pushed to the south from it's original proposed route so the Oostvaardersplassen (do not try to speak that out) stayed as a natural reserve in 1 peace. The line has on that point the nickname "badkuiptracé" (bathtub route) like it's form. Nice and well edited video!
Yes, indeed I did notice that "diversion" to avoid the wild area.
Thank you for watching and for the kind words 👍
Madurodam model village is well worth a look if you have any free time in Den Haag , The Netherlands in minature
Only highlights from the Netherlands........like Rotterdam Harbour........nothing more
I have vague recollection that someone like Tim Traveller went there on one of his videos 🤔
Thanks for watching too 👍
As you mentioned in the video, the Dutch helped to drain the fens and made a total transformation of the landscape and turned the cathedral of Ely to a ship visible from all over
Indeed they did - and then by a twist of circumstance, my latest video goes through Ely!
I just noticed that you have released a new video
@@Kulla1berg like to keep you on your toes 😉
Lleystad has a very pleasant airport with a good aviation museum. They also have an annual flight simulation conference for those who might be interested. Weesp is also a great small town that makes an excellent half day trip from Amsterdam.
Oh thanks for that extra information 👍
Nice video and an interesting little question, Centraal or Centrum, what is the difference?
I think it has to do with the importance of the railwaystation.
For instance, Almere Centrum is a relatively small station, on the line, it indicates that the station is situated in the centre of the town.
But Den Haag Centraal means that is is a main station with lines from and to all directions. And a Centraal Station is always situated in the centre of town, that is obvious.
I hope it is a little clearer now.
Greetz from Martin, your new subscriber! 😊
Thanks Martin. Yes, that reflects what others have said too.
Welcome to the channel and thank you for watching... oh and there's about 100 other videos too if you need some distractions 😀
Den Haag centraal ligt niet in het centrum noch centraal.
In the Dutch language "centrum" means the middle point or centre (Het hotel Ibis Styles staat in het centrum van Arnhem/The Ibis Styles hotel is in the centre of Arnhem) while "centraal" means the biggest or most important even though it may not be physically in the middle (Amsterdam Centraal ligt in het noorden van het stadcentrum/Amsterdam Central is in the north of the city centre)
PS. "Het centrum" is a neuter gender noun, "centraal" is an adjective.
Makes sense!
Thanks for replying 👍
Some places like amersfoort have a central and centrum station
@@murk9696 In Exeter, here in the UK we do have one station called Exeter Central, because it is placed in the centre of the city. However, the main station is actually "Exeter St. David's" which is less central but has more express trains to more destinations. I understand now that (in a NL sense) this is the station that would be called "Centraal" 😁
Yep exactly
Centrum = city centre.
Centraal = central.
Both Den Haag CS and HS are in the Centrum, but only one is the “central” station.
Thanks 👍
Lelystad got it's name from Cornelis Lely who has made the plans for creating Flevoland (and the Afsluitdijk)
Oh thanks for that gem! Cornelis gets a city/town named after them! I suppose it is fair given they made the plans.
Thanks so much for watching 👍
I don't remember that elevated Tram platform in Den Haag, but it has been more that 10 years since I was there.
There is even an elevated metro station at The Hague CS. Metro line E, runs to Rotterdam South via Rotterdam CS.
haha - yes, this all does look maybe a bit newer than 10 years! Cinematically, those elevated lines make for great shots! 😀
Thanks for watching another 👍
Good to watch. We had a camping cycling holiday years ago near Blokzijl and were amazed how assertive Dutch cyclists were: No prisoners!
Yes, I've winced at how fast they ride with a lot of other cyclists and pedestrians around. Hopefully there are comparably few accidents
Just wondering if "cycling holiday" is an oxymoron ;)
Another lovely trip, thank you. We were struck by how neat and orderly the Netherlands looks - maybe it`s because it`s flat, hmmm.
@@ampersand. Well it being flat makes the cycling a bit easier for sure. And maybe the flatness means it is easier to push the vacuum cleaner round each morning to keep it tidy... although that doesn't seem to include keeping the trains clean and free from graffiti...
Another good video. Your staff is growing…voiceover guy, that guy that is sometimes waiting on the platform to say a few words to viewers, and you. #memyselfandi
Yes. The wage bill is getting really big. And don't forget the team working in the edit suite too!
Thanks for enjoying another. Going to be a bit of sunshine on the channel soon, as I'm just back from Portugal 🌞
Oh yes! The editing and special effects department. How could we forget them! Our apologies to the entire crew.
@@peonycottageboutique4154 Don't worry. I'll make it up to them at the office Superbowl party tomorrow...
Centraal is a honorary title given by the Commissie Stationsnamen of Prorail. I think Arnhem was the last one (of 8) to get the title.
I do like to now know there is a Commissie Stationsnamen of Prorail. Thank you 👍
Amersfoort was. I think.
@@thevoid5503 Amersfoort and Eindhoven were the last two.
Reason for centrum vs centraal: centraal has rules (minimum 3 stations in the same city, and the city/province needs to pay part of the update of the on board systems), while centrum doesn’t have any rules as it didn’t exist. Lelystad Centrum is the only station in Lelystad even!
Also, welcome to Zwolle (again)! Good that you’ve enjoyed your stay! The rebuilding of Zwolle railway station has been going on for quite some time now, and when the new bridge that they’ve just started is finished it should be done. The square you were on at the start is the most recent project, finished around last year!
@@chielmeiberg thanks for chipping in on the Centrum/Centraal instruction. And I really did like Zwolle - I will definitely return and stay longer!
Maybe a nice addition to the centrum or central question is Antwerp Central Station, which actually was called Middenstatie (literally: middle station). It was an obvious attempt to ban any French influence in dutch-speaking Antwerp, but this name never became usual. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antwerpen-Centraal_railway_station
Thanks. And, whatever it is called, I really must go and visit it someday!
And thank you for watching too 👍
The trainshed sadly isn't the original one which could not be renovated anymore. Instead they built this one around 1995.
Ah thank you. Now you mention it, it does look a little too modern to just be a refurbishment of an older one.
Thank you for watching and adding that clarification 👍
If you want a real challenge, find 5 good things about Almere...
Ooo... you won't be popular in Almere 😀
Thanks so much for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels I love the Netherlands, but Almere is possibly the worst place I've found there. A vacant concrete bland nothingness...
@@truckerallikatuk I confirm.
Your train engine has more than a passing resemblance to a Deltic , or is that just me 🤪
Yes, I see where you are going with that...
...thanks for watching 👍
When I first say this I wandered why you were taking a train from their to the Man United Manager. Doh. Glases on time
hahahaha!! 🤣
How can you rewild a man made island?
Ah yes. Good point! I should maybe have said something like "creating a wilderness".
Great pedantry 😀 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels you love to see it!
It's an exercise in futility. Plus the animals ? Had to be imported. The cows ? They are called Highland cows for a reason.
These trains now called ICM or ICMm.......Koploper is their old name, btw these trains go now out of service and they will replaced by ICNG........find out yourself what this is and make a video about it.......just like what you can find in Den Haag.............i hope to see it in your next video !
When the train pulls in, I refer to it as InterCity Meterieel, with Koploper in italics. As you say ICM is the official title with Koploper being effectively a nickname.
I saw a few ICNGs on my travel in December, but none of the services I chose to ride this time were provided by one of them. I shall be returning in the future to ride the ICNG just as you advise.
Thanks for watching 👍
That's not correct. It always has been an ICM since 1977.. The name Koploper was added on the trainset in the year 1989 on trainset 4083. Due to a revision it is called now Koploper ICMm (little m for modernised). 😉
Flevoland, the least beautiful province of the Netherlands
you are probably right there, given that it is so young and therefore doesn't have such a mix of architecture. Even so, I did enjoy passing through to take a look.
I can’t agree to that. (Slightly biased, because I live there)
@@fkb9490 everybody likes there own town thats natural👍👍😜
Citizens of the Netherlands don't like it when you call their country Holland. Holland only consists of two counties in the west. They get even more 😮annoyed when you call them Dutch. I live in Kansas. I got all this information from my phone. I love your videos. I watch them over and over.
firstly, thank you so much for the kind words and the repeated views! That is so lovely of you 👍
I think I was careful to refer to The Netherlands as the country and to Holland when the train actually crossed out of Flevoland into Holland. As you say, Holland is an actual region of The Netherlands and the people of the country would not like it to be all called Holland.
As you live in Kansas, I'm sure you know many Americans that think the UK is "England". As you can imagine, people from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland find this particularly annoying, so I agree we should be careful about these things.
wrt referring to the people from The Netherlands with the demonym "Dutch", that is what it says on wikipedia. I'm not sure I'd know what to call them if "dutch" is wrong!
gone on a bit there... mostly though, thank you so much for watching and for taking an interest. It is very much appreciated. 👍
@JohnnyHooverTravels It was just something I read on the internet. In this country, most of what you see on the internet is misleading or just lies. I don't have Facebook or Twitter, nor do I have a TV. I find your channel delightful.
@@brianrosson5659 Thank you for the kind words. It is a delight to make the videos, so I'm pleased you enjoy them 👍
Zuid-Holland and Noord-Holland are 2 of our provinces@@JohnnyHooverTravels
Centrum is the Dutch word, Central is the 'Everything Must Be enGliSh fOr ThE ToURIstS ' word. so Touristy Cities might use Central, and down to earth cities just use the original word.
Incorrect, 'Centraal' was used long before English became the dominant language it is after WWII
Your all wrong here..........Flevoland is not an island and there is no Holland ! It is all the Netherlands......next time do some Google before you travel !😮
He's talking about the province of Holland. Do some Google research before you leave a comment ;)
@@bowrisz5806 well yes. In the video I refer to the provinces of Overijssel, Flevoland and Holland. Although to be correct, there are two provinces of North Holland and South Holland.
I also refer to the island of Flevopolder, which is a large part of the overall province of Flevoland.
Check out the TWO provinces of Noord and Zuid Holland.
@@JohnnyHooverTravels Yeah I know man. You've done your research well. Apparently Jan bauke Oelstra thaught differently about that ;) But the video was great! I'm looking forward to see more.
Hoover is 100% right!