Radio-dj Erik de Zwart is nu ook trambestuurder

Erik de Zwart loves trains and trams. For years, he's been collecting anything related to rails. When he discovered that women aren't really into train collectors, he started his DJ career at Veronica. Last week, he passed his exams and is now officially a tram driver. Stylish in uniform, De Zwart sits beaming in the cockpit of line 2. His shift started at 6:31 a.m. today, but that's no problem for this former radio DJ. As a young boy from Amsterdam-West, he took line 13 every day to his uncle in the city center. His uncle was crazy about trains, and that's where his collecting passion began. For years, De Zwart recreated actual routes with model trains in his garden. "Well, women are often not impressed at all. A man who collects trains. But it's actually very cool." That he's now behind the wheel at 67 is a boyhood dream. At the controls It's no easy feat, operating all the buttons and switches. The test to become a tram driver isn't easy, and rightly so, De Zwart believes: "There's so much going on in Amsterdam, you really have to be on your toes. Just today, a fat biker skidded across the tracks, right in front of my tram!" His passion for trams rekindled after dining with his family at Tramrestaurant Hoftrammm in The Hague. There, he discovered that you can drive a tram as a volunteer under supervision. He seized the opportunity and signed up with the GVB (Global Public Transport Company). Last week, he passed his exam and from now on, he drives two days a week on various lines. He also runs a digital magazine, 24Trains.tv, where train enthusiasts can find the best train videos, documentaries, and travel reports. 'You look like Erik de Zwart' What does he like most about driving a tram? "Everything," he says. He loves driving, but also the interaction with passengers. According to De Zwart, "an old Amsterdam woman" recently came in and said: "Hey, you look like Erik de Zwart, but prettier." You're only allowed to drive a tram until you're 75. So De Zwart is in good hands for a while yet. ❌ ❌ ❌ AT5 - Real Amsterdam News Subscribe to our YouTube channel here:    / at5   Tips or comments? WhatsApp: 06 511 909 38 Phone: 020 555 1155 Follow AT5: www.at5.nl Instagram: instagram.com/at5.nl Facebook: facebook.com/at5nl Twitter: twitter.com/at5