About NS ICNG Coradia

[Stephen Lee]

It was mentioned that NS is going to order 2 NS ICNG for services to Germany. I wondered which route they will be used

 

[hexagon789]

It was mentioned that NS is going to order 2 NS ICNG for services to Germany. I wondered which route they will be used

These are prototypes to test 15kV and German safety system compatibility for potential future cross-border operation.

They are designed to be convertible back to standard spec if necessary.

Alternatively further units may be procured for Amsterdam-Hannover-Berlin I believe.

 

[DanielB]

Actually NS has only requested the development of an ICNG version suitable for Germany. They haven't ordered them yet.
The development was requested to speed up production should an order for Germany-capable ICNG be placed in the future.

 

[DanielB]

Passengers will be able to travel quicker between Belgium and the Netherlands as of mid 2024. The new rolling stock for this service (Belgium-capable ICNG) will arrive into the Netherlands on Sunday the 4th of December.
In the coming months NS will use it together with manufacturer Alstom to run tests, ensuring the train will be approved for the Dutch and Belgium networks

This trainset is the very first ICNG in the new NS Flow livery, which in the future will be the livery of all NS stock.

Source: NS press release

 

[rvdborgt]

Passengers will be able to travel quicker between Belgium and the Netherlands as of mid 2024. The new rolling stock for this service (Belgium-capable ICNG) will arrive into the Netherlands on Sunday the 4th of December.

There's been an IC NG train set in Belgium (often seen standing in Schaarbeek) for months. Hasn't it been to the Netherlands yet then?

 

[DanielB]

Probably it has, the set on the photo has number 3303 so there should be at least two other ones. But that first part is just a translation of the press release which seems more focussed on the first one with new livery than the actual first Belgium-capable set.

 

[Stephen Lee]

Actually NS has only requested the development of an ICNG version suitable for Germany. They haven't ordered them yet.
The development was requested to speed up production should an order for Germany-capable ICNG be placed in the future.

What about the ICE-Ls from DB….

 

[AlexNL]

3301/3302 are the ICNG-B prototype units and will go back to the factory for refitting, 3303 should be the first series production unit.

ICE-L is a DB driven project to phase out the last remaining loco-hauled IC1 rolling stock, which is also used on the Amsterdam - Berlin axis. It's unconnected to any plans which NS may have for ICNG-D.

In the past NS International expressed a desire to run an hourly service between Amsterdam and Cologne. Apart from that there's a strong political desire to run an IC service Eindhoven - Aachen. An ICNG-D may be of use for either of these connections.

By ordering two trains now and finishing their paperwork, in a future NS can order these trains and ride along on grandfathered rights.

 

[MisterT]

For those interested: after endless delays, the first 'regular' NS ICNG unit will finally enter service this Wednesday between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The current plan can be found on Treinposities.nl: https://en.treinposities.nl/omloop/WA1/20230419
For the next four weeks it's just one eight-part unit number 3222, starting only on weekdays, and in a few weeks it should be on weekends as well.
Please be aware that this is the last testing phase before the real introduction. The ICNG can be switched last-minute for a regular TRAXX+ICR set, so it's not guaranteed to run.

 

[DanielB]

This thread on Twitter shows some photos of the first ever passenger service with ICNG. Also being the first domestic high speed service at 200 km/h since the Fyra failure.

Instead of the planned single 8-car set the first day in service started with double traction with a 13-car consist.

 

[AlexNL]

They're running 5+8 to provide extra capacity on the Amsterdam - Rotterdam route, as the route over Leiden is still blocked following the Voorschoten crash.

I took the 13:41 from Rotterdam and rode it up to Amsterdam. I quite like the train: rapid acceleration under DC and AC, good ride comfort, I like the seats (although they take some getting used to, ironing boards they are certainly not) and the internal ambiance is enjoyable.

The first couple of trains ran fine, but the 15:41 from Rotterdam had to be cancelled due to a door failure. Its return working, the 16:38 from Amsterdam, was cancelled as well. A renewed attempt was made with the 17:41 from Rotterdam but this ultimately failed as well.

 

[TheHSRailFan]

Something not working on first-day services is normal, but today in my opinion by looking on Twitter and youtube to be a Success.

Can't wait to ride them when I revisit the Netherlands.

 

[MisterT]

It was a minor issue with one of the trains fortunately and is already fixed, so tomorrow the trains should run again as planned.

 

[Trainbike46]

They're running 5+8 to provide extra capacity on the Amsterdam - Rotterdam route, as the route over Leiden is still blocked following the Voorschoten crash.

I took the 13:41 from Rotterdam and rode it up to Amsterdam. I quite like the train: rapid acceleration under DC and AC, good ride comfort, I like the seats (although they take some getting used to, ironing boards they are certainly not) and the internal ambiance is enjoyable.

The first couple of trains ran fine, but the 15:41 from Rotterdam had to be cancelled due to a door failure. Its return working, the 16:38 from Amsterdam, was cancelled as well. A renewed attempt was made with the 17:41 from Rotterdam but this ultimately failed as well.

Would the platforms allow 8+8 or 5+5+5?

 

[MisterT]

Yes. All intercity stations allow for 8+8 or 5+5+5 running, which is also the maximum train length in regular service for NS (340 meters). Some stations allow longer trains up to 400 meters, but that's basically reserved for international services e.g. Eurostar, Thalys and ICE trains.

 

[AlexNL]

Along the route of the Beneluxtrein (Amsterdam - Brussels) there's a few platforms which are a bit shorter than that, but 8+8 running into Belgium is not planned - and I believe platform extensions in Belgium are planned already. It's only a few metres.

 

[Bemined]

Would the platforms allow 8+8 or 5+5+5?

There are a few platforms that are as of yet not long enough as ICNG 8+8 is a few metres longer than VIRM 6+6, but NS has requested these to be extended. The Zwolle - Leeuwarden line which should get ICNG somewhere in 2024-2025 is currently only suitable for ICNG 5+5 but should be extended to 8+5.