National and international railway services at Amsterdam Centraal are provided by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the principal rail operator in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Centraal is the northern terminus of Amsterdam Metro routes 51, 53, 54, and stop for 52 operated by municipal public transport operator GVB. It is also served by a number of GVB tram and ferry routes as well as local and regional bus routes operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS.
Amsterdam Centraal was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1889. It features a Gothic, Renaissance Revival station building[3] and a cast iron platform roof spanning approximately 40 metres.
Since 1997, the station building, underground passages, metro station, and the surrounding area have been undergoing major reconstruction and renovation works to accommodate the North-South Line metro route, which was opened on 22 July 2018. Amsterdam Centraal has the second longest railway platform in the Netherlands with a length of 695 metres. Due to the length, each platform may serve two trains, while one embarks from side "a" of a platform and the other, from side "b".
History
Construction
Amsterdam Centraal station, designed by Pierre Cuypers, c. 1890–1900.Aerial photograph of Amsterdam Central station, 1920–1940.First station roof (1889), designed by L.J. EijmerThe station viewed from the A'DAM Tower (originally the Shell Tower)
Amsterdam Centraal was designed by Pierre Cuypers, who is also known for his design of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While Cuypers was the principal architect, it is believed that he focused mostly on the decoration of the station building and left the structural design to railway engineers.[4] The station was built by contractor Philipp Holzmann. The new central station replaced Amsterdam Willemspoort Station, which had closed in 1878, as well as the temporary Westerdok Station used from 1878 to 1889. The idea for a central station came from Johan Rudolph Thorbecke, then the Netherlands Minister of the Interior and responsible for the national railways, who, in 1884, laid two proposals before the Amsterdam municipal council. In the first proposal, the station would be situated between the Leidseplein and the Amstel river. In the other, it would be built in the open harbour front allowing for the station to be connected to the existing main lines in the area to the west and the south, but also to a projected new northern line.[5]
Cuypers' design of the station building in many ways strongly resembled his other architectural masterpiece, the Rijksmuseum, of which the construction had begun in 1876. It features a palace-like, Gothic/Renaissance Revival facade,[3] with two turrets and many ornamental details and stone reliefs referring to the capital city's industrial and commercial importance. A royal waiting room for the Dutch monarchy (one of three in active use in the country today) was also included in the design.[6] Cuypers' station reflects the romantic nationalistic mood in the late nineteenth-century Netherlands, with its many decorative elements glorifying the nation's economic and colonial power at the time.[7][8]
As with the Rijksmuseum, the station's overall architecture reminded many contemporaries of medieval cathedrals.[4] For that reason, as well as for the fact that it became increasingly clear that the national government wanted the station to be built at the city's waterfront effectively separating the city from the IJ lake, the plan was highly controversial. In his book on the history of city, Amsterdam historianGeert Mak writes that:
Almost all of Amsterdam's own experts and others involved thought this to be a catastrophic plan, 'the most disgusting possible attack on the beauty and glory of the capital'. Nevertheless, the building of the Central Station in front of the open harbour was forced through by the railway department of the Ministry of Transport in The Hague, and the Home Secretary, Thorbecke. Finally, the plan made its way through the Amsterdam municipal council by a narrow majority.[9]
Construction works started in 1882.[10] The station is built on three interconnected artificial islands in the IJ lake. These islands were created with sand taken from the dunes near Velsen, which had become available as a result of the excavation of the North Sea Canal. The islands together are known as Stationseiland (Station Island). Like many other structures in Amsterdam, the station was built on wooden piles (8,687 pieces). The construction of the station was delayed because of the instability of the soil, which set back the completion of the work by several years. The station building was completed in 1884, but the commission to Cuypers did not include the roofwork of the platforms. Therefore, the station did not yet feature its distinctive station roof. This roof, consisting of 50 curved trusses and a span of almost 45 meters (147 ft 8 in), was designed by L.J. Eijmer, a civil engineer with the private railroad company Staatsspoorwegen. The roof was manufactured by Andrew Handyside and Company of Derby, England.[11] Cuypers did design the decorations for the trusses and the gable ends. On 15 October 1889, the station was officially opened, drawing large numbers of crowds. The visitors were charged 0.25 guilders to see the station; in the first two days after the opening, several dozens of thousands paid.[12] The opening of the central station marked the city's transition from a waterfront city to an inland city, spurring further redevelopment activities in the city centre which included the realignment of streets and the filling up of canals. The waterways would soon be replaced by tramways and cars as the primary modes of transport in the city.[5]
In 1920, the East Wing of the station (the lower end of the building) was demolished and replaced by "The East", a postal service building designed by Cuypers' son Joseph. A second, narrower and longer but similar roof on the north side of the station was completed in 1922.
Early expansions and modernization
In the 1950s, a pedestrian tunnel was created between the station and the road in front of it, which terminated inside the station. With the construction of the metro tunnel in the late 1970s, both the pedestrian tunnel and the road in front of the station disappeared. In the early 1980s, the central hall and middle tunnel were considerably widened and modernized. In the 1990s, a new signaling post was built on the western side of the station. In addition, the number of tracks on that side was expanded in order to increase capacity in the direction of Sloterdijk station. In 1996, a third, 'centre roof' designed by Jan Garvelink, architect at Holland Rail Consult, was built between the two existing roofs, whereby all platforms at the station were now covered.
Later reform and expansion
IJzijde station hall
Since 1997, the station has been continuously undergoing reconstruction works because of the development of the North-South Line of the Amsterdam Metro, which was originally planned to be completed in 2014. Due to several setbacks, some at the Amsterdam Centraal building site, the line was fully completed in 2018. Construction works at the station include a renovation of the station building, including the reconstruction of original station features which had disappeared over the years, a redevelopment of the Stationsplein (Station Square), and a new bus station on the north side of the station. In 2000, the new western passenger tunnel opened replacing the main tunnel in the centre of the station which was shut down enabling the construction of the new metro line. In 2004, platforms 10-15 were extended to accommodate international high-speed rail services. Construction works for the bus station commenced in 2003, opened in 2009 and finished in 2014. It includes the construction of a fourth station roof and a station hall with space for shops and restaurants. It replaces 5 small bus stations and several isolated bus stops across the Station Island. With all buses eventually moving to the new bus station on the north side, the Station Island should only be accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and trams.
The three passenger tunnels underneath the station were upgraded and provided with convenience stores and kiosks. In addition, two new passageways were created enabling the hosting of larger retail stores, geared towards passengers who have more time to spend at the station.
From 2017 there will be further reconstruction works at the station. A number of platforms will be widened making use of the tracks which do not currently have platforms. This means that alterations will be made in the tunnels under the platforms again. Furthermore, the eastern tunnel will be made wider, based on the example of the middle tunnel. The old railway bridges to the east of the station will also be replaced.
Amsterdam Centraal has 15 tracks, 11 of which are alongside a platform: four island platforms with tracks along the full length on both sides (tracks 4/5, 7/8, 10/11, 13/14); one side platform with one track along the full length (track 15); and one bay platform with two tracks (tracks 1/2). Platforms 2-15 have an A-side (to the west) and a B-side (to the east). This means that there are 21 places where a train can be positioned for passenger access, with scissors crossings in the middle enabling trains to pass each other. Track 1 terminates short of the western end of the station building, which fronts track 2. Tracks 3, 6, 9, and 12 have no platform.
As of December 2014, Amsterdam Centraal is served by 8 international rail routes and 22 national rail routes.[18]
From Amsterdam Central Station, one can travel by train to most major destinations in the Netherlands and surrounding countries. In the 2024 timetable, the station will be served by the following train series:
National rail services at the station are provided by NS, the principal rail operator in the Netherlands. NS offers four types of rail service from Amsterdam Centraal: Intercity Direct operating on the HSL-Zuidhigh-speed rail line, long-distance Intercity services, local Sprinter services, and the Nachtnet night service.
Amsterdam Centraal metro station (called Centraal Station on the Amsterdam Metro system) opened in 1980. It is the terminus station of three routes: Line 51 (Amsterdam Centraal - Isolatorweg), Line 53 (Amsterdam Centraal - Gaasperplas), and Line 54 (Amsterdam Centraal - Gein). In July 2018, the new Line 52 (Noord Station - Zuid Station) opened.
The metro station is only accessible with an OV-chipkaart smart card, the national fare system for public transport in the Netherlands. Disposable cards for one-hour, one-day or multiple-day use are available at ticket machines in the metro station hall.
As of 2018, the following metro services call at Centraal Station:
Tram stop for routes 2, 12, 13 and 17 on the west side (Westzijde)
Tram services at Amsterdam Centraal are provided from two tram stations on Stationsplein (Station Square), situated in front of the station's main entrance. Tram routes 2, 12, 13 and 17 call on the west side (Westzijde, Platform B) of the square, the other routes call on the east side (Oostzijde, Platform-A).[19]
6 to 10x per hour. 6x per hour (Saturdays). 4 to 6x per hour (Sundays)
Bus services
City services
A GVB route 43 bus on platform E
As of July 2018, GVB city bus routes 18, 21 and 22 and 48 depart from the new bus platform G on the lake side of the station (IJzijde or 'IJ side').[19][20]
Night bus services operate daily, starting around midnight and running until around 6 AM. From Monday to Thursday, night buses run once per hour. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, they run twice per hour. As of December 2014, all night buses depart from platform G on the lake side of the station and call at all main entertainment areas in Amsterdam's city centre, including Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.[20]
Bus Service
Operator
From
To
N01
EBS
Centraal Station
Purmerend Overwhere
N04
EBS
Centraal Station
Purmerend Purmer-Noord
N10
EBS
Centraal Station
Edam
N14
EBS
Centraal Station
Hoorn
N23
Keolis
Centraal Station
Station Almere Centrum
N47
Connexxion
Centraal Station
Uithoorn, via Amstelveen
N57
Connexxion
Centraal Station
Aalsmeer, via Amstelveen
N81
GVB
Centraal Station
Station Sloterdijk
N82
GVB
Centraal Station
Geuzenveld
N83
GVB
Centraal Station
Osdorp de Aker
N84
GVB
Centraal Station
Amstelveen Busstation
N85
GVB
Centraal Station
Gein
N86
GVB
Centraal Station
Station Bijlmer ArenA
N87
GVB
Centraal Station
Station Bijlmer ArenA
N88
GVB
Centraal Station
Nieuwe Sloten
N89
GVB
Centraal Station
IJburg, via Muiderpoort Station
N91
GVB
Centraal Station
Nieuwendam
N92
Connexxion
Centraal Station
Zaandam Station
N93
GVB
Centraal Station
Molenwijk
N94
Connexxion
Centraal Station
Westzaan
N97
Connexxion
Centraal Station
Nieuw-Vennep, via Schiphol Airport
Noord Holland services
An R-Net EBS bus at the new bus station.
EBS (part of Egged) regional bus services depart from a new bus station on the IJ lake side of the station (beyond platform 15). This can be reached from the main central walkway via escalators. Connexxion bus services depart from the Kamperbrug bus stops on the city centre side of the station.
Bus Service
Operator
Route
305
EBS R-Net
Amsterdam Centraal – Ilpendam – Purmerend – De Rijp
314
EBS R-Net
Amsterdam Centraal – Monnickendam – Edam – Station Hoorn
316
EBS R-Net
Amsterdam Centraal – Monnickendam – Volendam – Edam Busstation
Free-of-charge ferry services from Amsterdam Centraal to the borough of Amsterdam North across the IJ lake depart from the quay on the northern side of the station at the De Ruijterkade. Just behind the station is the EYE Film Institute Netherlands, easily accessible with a free ferry.[21]
Due to the completion of the Stationseiland project and the implementation of the Entree plan, the station has had two indoor bicycle parking station and two station bicycle parking stations around the station since 2023. After moving both car traffic and bus traffic from the station square to the rear of the station, the municipality has further reduced the large number of bicycles parked on the street around the station with the construction of these two large station bicycle parkings at the station, whereby cyclists have to park their bicycles in the sheds and no longer on the street.
The Stationsplein Bicycle Parking, the largest bicycle shed in Amsterdam, opened on 26 January 2023 at Central Station. The bicycle shed is located under the water of the Open Havenfront, between Stationsplein and Prins Hendrikkade. The main entrance is at the Martelaarsgracht. Access to and from the station is via the central metro hall. The bicycle parking has space for 7,000 bicycles. There is no space for cargo bikes, fat bikes and scooters.
Construction started in the summer of 2018 and was completed after more than four years. During this period, the water from the Open Havenfront was pumped away and part of the Prins Hendrikkade, with the former Prins Hendrikplantsoen, was excavated. The storage facility was built in the construction pit, after which the water returned. Above the storage facility there are now jetties for tour boats.[22][23][24]
On 22 February 2023, the IJboulevard Bicycle Parking was also completed and put into use on the north side of Central Station, which was built in the water of the IJ and will be located under the new IJboulevard along the De Ruijterkade (construction started in March 2021). 4,000 bicycles can be parked here.
^Wintle, Michael. 'Visualising Commerce and Empire: Decorating the Built Environment of Amsterdam', in: de Waard, Marco (ed.). Imagining Global Amsterdam: History, Culture, and Geography in a World City. Amsterdam University Press 2012.
^Robert Thorne, "Handyside, Andrew (1805–1887)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 9 Jan 2008
^"Stations in aanbouw". Spoor (in Dutch). 2014 (3). Nederlandse Spoorwegen: 50–51. September 2014.
Groß, Lothar (2012). Made in Germany: Deutschlands Wirtschaftsgeschichte von der Industralisierung bis heute Band 1: 1800 - 1945. Books on demand. ISBN978-3-8482-1042-8.
Mak, Geert (1999) [1994]. Amsterdam, A Brief Life of the City. Translated from the Dutch by Philipp Blom. The Harvill Press.
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