Centurion MK 5 treinlading

Product description

The Centurion Mk. 5 was one of the most important main battle tanks of the Royal Netherlands Army for many years. To transport these heavy tracked vehicles, a series of special Ct-DML heavy transport wagons was built in 1954. The designation referred to the Directoraat Materieel Landmacht (Directorate of Army Materiel) and was soon shortened in practice to DEMEL. The four-axle wagons were based on the German SSy 45 and were specially designed for transporting Centurion and other heavy tanks.

During exercises and mobilisations, the Centurions were transported by rail, including to army corps areas in West Germany. The Centurion and DEMEL wagon together formed a characteristic sight of Dutch military rail transport during the Cold War.