Dutch state rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) has decided to order 18 extra Traxx MS for its future passenger services over the HSL (high speed line). Things brings the total of E 186 series locomotives in the fleet of NS to 37. Nineteen are already delivered (E 186 001-019). Start of the delivery of this second batch is envisaged for May 2016.

This second order comes from an option taken from the original contract NS closed with Bombardier in 2013. NS first wanted to explore the possibilities to use the new Traxx MS in combination with existing driving trailers (type ICRm BDs), but a pilot project (two coaches have been adjusted) has shown that rebuilding the coaches in order to make them communicate with the new locomotives is not feasible. So push-pull operation is a no-go.

This means that NS will use its Traxx MS locomotives in sandwich-operation (one locomotive on each side of the train), thus needing many more machines. Sandwich operation is planned for the Amsterdam - Rotterdam shuttles and for the new services between Eindhoven and The Hague over the HSL. The new machines will also be needed for InterCity services to Brussels.