Our trains
NS invests in the purchase, overhaul and upgrading of trains. Proven technology, sustainability and convenience for passengers are given the highest priority.
New generation of double-decker trains
In December 2022, NS and Spanish train manufacturer CAF signed a contract for the supply of 60 new trains. These trains consist of both single-decker and double-decker coaches, combining a floor-level entrance with a high capacity. The train design phase was completed in 2024. Production will start later than planned because CAF was affected by flooding at a subsupplier of aluminium profiles in summer 2024. Production is now scheduled to start in the second half of 2025. The first new trains are expected to become operational around 2029.
Intercity New Generation
Since 2016, NS has ordered a total of 109 ICNG trains from the train manufacturer Alstom. Of these, 77 are destined for deployment in the Netherlands and 32 trains are also suitable for onward travel to Belgium or Germany. In the Netherlands, 31 ICNG trains now operate on the Amsterdam-Rotterdam/Breda and The Hague-Eindhoven high-speed line. Ten trains are now available for the Eurocity Direct connection between Amsterdam South and Brussels South-Midi. The ICNG’s teething problems have largely been resolved and its performance is improving.
Tendering procedure for Sprinter trains
In 2022, NS launched a European tendering procedure for the purchase of Sprinter trains. NS is looking for a comfortable and easily accessible train that can be used as a Sprinter: fast acceleration and deceleration, and suitable for speeds of up to 160 km/h. The new Sprinter should also be able to be used as an Intercity train on a limited number of routes. This will help us to improve flexibility and efficiency in the way we deploy our trains, resulting in an optimum return on investment. NS plans to sign a contract with a supplier in 2025, with the first trains expected to hit the tracks by the end of 2029/2030.
Upgrading Intercity trains
After completing the VIRM1 upgrade, we started modernising VIRM2/3-type double-decker trains in 2021. In April 2024, we completed this process of upgrading a total of 45 trains, with a total of 242 coaches.
The project to upgrade VIRM4 double-decker trains will begin at the end of 2025. We continued with the design process and pre-tryout in 2024. In a pre-tryout, we upgrade one train from the rolling stock series to see whether the design created on paper is feasible in practice.
