Samenvatting
This paper begins with a brief description of how the light rail mode has been developed in several West European countries, especially in the Federal Republic of Germany. The basic features if the light rail vehicle and how the vehicle was derived from the streetcar and the subway or heavy rapid transit car are explained. Finally, the various attempts at standardization of light rail vehicles in West Germany after World War II are discussed. Several modern light rail vehicles are described, and it is explained why standardization could only be partially achieved.