On Monday in Maastricht, Limburg, the Dutch railways (NS) installed the first ‘reclining seat’ at the train station for use by train personnel. While on the job, train staff can take a 15-minute nap, sitting on this vibrating seat. The idea is that the seat will lull those hard workers to sleep in order to have them fresh and alert on long train rides across the country.

If a train driver falls asleep on the job, it can have fatal consequences for everyone on board a train. Every year some 250 train drivers from the Netherlands and abroad drive right through a red signal.

This picture is from an accident that happened right in Amsterdam Central Station a few years back.

(Link: depers.nl, Photo: ruudvisser)

Last Saturday, pop star Peter Gabriel’s red double decker tour bus got stuck on the A27 near Lexmond when the motor of the vehicle burst into flames. Peter and friends were en route to a concert in Belgium. The flames went out by themselves and the double decker was towed away. The regional transport company scored them a bus to help them get back on track.

I just happened to see his concert in Amsterdam (last minute invite from a friend, thanks again!) and took a few mobile phone pictures.

(Link: fok.nl)

Two actors from the musical Grease were injured Sunday night during a performance in Almere. The car drove off the podium right into the orchestra pit. Idols star Jim Bakkum, who plays Danny Zuko and was in the car at the time, ended up with a concussion, while his co-star Bettina Holwerda broke her arm. Both were brought to the hospital. The cause of the accident is as yet unknown.

(Link and photo: fok.nl)