DUTCH association Stichting Trans Europ Express is seeking corporate donors or partners to secure the future of a 1950’s-built five-car DEMU that once operated Trans Europ Express (TEE) services between the Netherlands and Switzerland. The association acquired the train from the now-closed Netherlands Transport Museum near Amsterdam and plans to move it to a new location this summer where restoration and repair work will be carried out.
The Dutch type NS DE IV and Swiss type SBB RAm train is an icon of its era and was designed by Elsebeth van Blerkom of the Netherlands. The train has been granted A status, the highest category of protection for Dutch mobile cultural heritage.
The goal is to restore the train, the only remaining example of its type, to operating condition. “This is an enormous undertaking,” says association chairman, Quintus Vosman. “Donations totalling €50,000 have been received, and the Dutch Cultural Fund is providing €25,000, but we urgently need a further €25,000 by July 1, otherwise the rescue bid could fail."
For further information go to the association website at www.transeuropexpress.info
Potential donors can contact the association at secretaris@transeuropexpress.info
