While searching for a Czech operator issuing its third tender, we also stumbled upon an entry from the Dutch railways (NS) that "intends to conclude a framework agreement for a period of 5 years (with the possibility for extension for an additional 3x1 years) with all selected suppliers capable of providing (a) lease(s) for (a) TRAXX DABNL locomotive(s) that are suitable for use on the Dutch network, including HSL (High Speed Line) and the Belgian Network (including line 4) and suitable for sandwich operation with the existing fleet of NS Traxx DABNL Locomotives and ICRmh Coaches, on all routes."

The end date for interested parties to submit a bid is 03.03.2017.

Railcolor: NS is also looking for more DE/AT/BE/NL configured locomotives for pulling Intercity Direct services. NS already has 66 such machines in its fleet (45 in ownership, 21 on hire from Alpha Trains and Macquarie Rail), of which 61 units are currently available to NS' Intercity Direct program. Three other units are being used for software tests: 186 002, 186 122 and 186 236. The workshops in Dessau have just completed a revision 186 240 and 186 237 is subhired by NS to the Belgian railways to pull trains between Amsterdam and Brussels.

As seen this morning by Hans van Kuilenburg in Amsterdam. Spare part in white?

At this moment, the Dutch railways is using their E186 TRAXX locomotives exclusively for shuttle services on the lines Amsterdam - Rotterdam (- Breda). In April the machines will start to run on the route The Hague - Rotterdam - Breda -- Tilburg - Eindhoven. Between Rotterdam and Breda the high speed line will be used. For these service new 9-car compositions of ICRm coaches are being formed (designated ICRmh9), with which testing has begun.

At this moment, the test trains, top-and-tailed by an E186, run every half hour between The Hague and Breda (there are not enough refitted ICRm coaches yet to test the whole route). The images show E 186 012 ready for departure, next to 186 006 that has just arrived. - Henk Zwoferink

NS 186 044 (and 186 043 at the back of the train) arrives at Utrecht Centraal with the dutch royal train. On board Her Majesty Queen Máxima of The Netherlands and Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium. They will tour the new station building. Waiting on the platform are Prorail president Pier Eringa and NS president Roger van Boxtel. - Roel Hemkes

Last week, Bombardier prepared NS E 186 045 for delivery and got it transported to Bad Bentheim. Today the locomotive arrived in the Netherlands, pulled by Locon 9906. This means that the NS E 186 series is complete. 45 locomotives have been built in 2014 (E 186 001-019) and 2016 (E 186 020-045). (Marco Rodenburg / Christian Klotz)

By the way, Locon 9906 did not go to Bad Bentheim solo. It took Alpha Trains > NS E 186 122 along. This NS-liveried locomotive currently has no NS logos. They were removed during a short adventure with RTB Cargo. (Henk Zwoferink)

On maiden run on 22.11.2016, the very last new NS TRAXX multi system locomotive: unit E 186 045. Photo: Christian Klotz

Maiden run on 15.11.2016: NS E 186 044. Only one to go and the series of 45 units is complete. Photo: Christian Klotz

Today, DB Regio 147 018 and NS E 186 043 had their turn, making a test run from and to Kassel. (Christian Klotz)

From Kassel to Bad Bentheim today: NS E 186 041 and 042. Thank you Christian Klotz, Markus Tepper and Marcus Alf.

Strangely enough, the 042 has check digits (-5) on its fronts. The sticker guy made a mistake here?

Markus Tepper, Roel Hemkes and Christian Klotz caught the new NS E 186 039 with their lenses this weekend. Today it will be delivered to the Dutch railways (NS).

Busy times in Kassel. Again three new machines completed their maiden run on 28. and 29.09.2016. Two silver painted machines for Railpool: 187 310 and 311. Also NS E 186 040 made its obligatory round. Thanks Christian Klotz.

Spoorpro reports: As of Monday, all IntercityDirect services of the Dutch railways (NS) are being operated in sandwich mode; Every consist now has six ICRm coaches and two TRAXX MS (serie E 186) locomotives, one on each side.

Currently there are two IntercityDirect services: Amsterdam - Schiphol - Rotterdam - Breda and Amsterdam - Schiphol - Rotterdam. These trains are underperforming due to operational problems and constant issues with infrastructure and rolling stock. Operating the IntercityDirect in sandwich mode is NS' answer to these issues, adding redundancy to the system and making it easier to change running direction. Over sixty TRAXX locos have been ordered and hired to have sufficient motive power, of which the majority is now available.

NS also wants to operate the loco-hauled trains from Amsterdam to Brussels and its future Eindhoven - The Hague (via HSL) IntercityDirect trains in sandwich.

It is currently red or yellow and blue, what is being delivered by the German locomotive industry ;). This morning NS E 186 037 had its maiden run. E 186 035 left the Kassel factory to start its journey to the Netherlands. Bombardier continues right away with delivering the eight units that have been ordered extra: Batch E 186 038-045. The first three of this batch are already awaiting their maiden run. (Christian Klotz and Marcus Alf)

The first image shows RailAdventure on its way to bring NS E 186 033 and 036 to Bad Bentheim. On 05.09.2016 both engines arrived in the Netherlands and ran to Amsterdam. Of the second bacth of 18 locomotives ordered (E 186 020-037) two more have to come: no. 035 and 037. Thank you Markus Tepper / Rene Klink / Roel Hemkes.

When the delivery of batch two is completed, 8 more E 186s will come.

Mr. Klotz was able to catch the new NS E 186 033 and 036 yesterday/today.

On 27.08.2016, NS TRAXX E 186 034 arrived at Bad Bentheim. It is the next machine to be handed over to the Dutch railways. Akiem > HSL Logistik was awaiting its next freight train at Bad Bentheim, which resulted in this colorful meeting. The 034 is delivered before 186 033 that had its maiden run on 26.08.2016 (see picture below). Our thanks goes out to Christian Klotz and Henk Zwoferink.

Last night, Siemens Vectron 193 902 and NS TRAXX E 186 016 made test runs together. The image shows both locomotives next to each other at Amersfoort, yesterday. (RH)

On 23.08.2016, Martin Voigt was able to capture the new NS E 186 034 during its maiden run. The locomotive was seen in Fulda.

Since today in the Netherlands: NS E 186 031. Thanks to Roel Hemkes.

Today, the next two new TRAXX MS locomotives for the Dutch railways arrived in The Netherlands. E 186 029 and 030 went to Amsterdam today and will be completing their 1.000 km approval run during the next days. Thank you Roel Hemkes and Niels Arnold.

19.07.2016: Maiden run of NS E 186 028 (Marcus Alf). On 21.07.2016 NS E 186 029 had its turn (Christian Klotz).

..to the Netherlands:

The most red it could get! Ascendos Rail (soon Beacon Rail) 145-CL 015 has been overhauled in Kassel (REV 13.07.2016). Today the locomotive left the factory together with the new NS E 186 026/027, that will be transported to the Netherlands over the weekend. - Christian Klotz

This weekend, NS E 186 025 was transported by RailAdventure 139 558, from Kassel to Bad Bentheim. It was done with an impressive transport, as the locomotive was coupled onto a convoy with an ICx/ICE4 train and five EuroExpress coaches. A long long trains. Thanks Jake Langerak, Martin Lauth and René Klink.

Update: After being parked in Munster and Bad Bentheim, the locomotive arrived in the Netherlands on 11.07.2016:

The second one this week. On 05.07.2016, the E 186 025 completed its maiden run, this morning the E 186 026 was next. Thanks Christian.

Seen this morning in Kassel: the future NS E 186 025, thank you Christian.

Not one but two. This weekend Bombardier delivers two TRAXX MS locomotives. Edit: Today they were taken to [edit] Amersfoort by Beacon Rail 561-03. Thank you Christian Klotz, Markus Tepper and René Klink for the images.

For the fans of data:
186 020 - REV 06.06.2016
186 021 - REV 19.05.2016
186 022 - REV 02.06.2016
186 023 - REV 15.06.2016
186 024 - REV 14.06.2016

Yep, not in a logical order, but indeed, on Monday the Dutch railways will pick-up E 186 020 in Bad Bentheim. Thanks René Klink.

NS TRAXX MS E 186 022 arrived in the Netherlands today. Thanks Roel.

On 25.05.2016, the third new TRAXX MS for NS made its maiden run. Unit no. is E 186 020. Meanwhile, the first one delivered, E 186 022 is making its mandatory approval runs in the Netherlands, for example over the Hanzelijn to Zwolle. - Christian Klotz / Ron Groeneveld

Yes, the delivery of the new NS TRAXX locomotives does have a small hick-up for our number fans. It started with E 186 021, which arrived in the Netherlands yesterday (image below). Next one to come is E 186 022, which had its maiden run this morning. We expect E 186 020 to be the third unit to arrive.

Not 18, but 26 supplemental TRAXX MS locomotives will be delivered to the Dutch railways (NS). This means NS will soon own 45 multi system electrics for its passenger services. The operator wants to operate all its trains for which it is using ICRm PRIO stock in sandwich formation (one loco on every end of the train). At this moment this is already done with the IC Direct shuttles Amsterdam - Rotterdam via the high speed line between both cities.

In the end, the NS TRAXX MS locomotives in sandwich will be used for:
- IC Eindhoven - The Hague (incl HSL Breda - Rotterdam)
- IC Amsterdam - Rotterdam (incl HSL)
- IC Amsterdam - Breda (incl HSL Amsterdam - Rotterdam and Rotterdam - Breda)
- IC Amsterdam - Brussels (BE) (incl HSL Amsterdam - Rotterdam, Rotterdam - Breda, Breda - Antwerp or directly from Rotterdam to Antwerp, this is still unclear)

Delivery of a second batch started this week with unit no. 186 021. In the next weeks 186 022 and 020 will come to the Netherlands. NS already owns 19 machines of this type (186 001-019). When delivery is completed, NS will own 45 186 series locomotives. NS will also continue the lease of 12 identically configured TRAXX MS locomotives from Alpha Trains: 186 111-122. These machines have all recently been subjected to a R1 overhaul in Dessau (DE) including a repaint in NS blue and yellow.

NS is also still hiring TRAXX MS locomotives from Macquarie Rail, being 186 142, 144, 148, 149, 236, 237, 238 and 239. Of these machines, 186 148 is currently away to Dessau (DE) for a R1 overhaul. It is not clear if these will be returned as soon as more new locomotives are being delivered.

The delivery of the second batch of TRAXX locomotives to the Dutch railways (NS) has started. First to arrive in the Netherlands is unit E 186 021, next Monday. The machine has already left the factory area, the picture showing it at Kassel Hauptbahnhof with a RailAdventure transport train and good old 139 558.

Jake Langerak was able to catch the brand new 186 021 for the Dutch railways this morning, during its maiden run from Kassel. All 18 new locomotives to be delivered to NS are now available on our website (thanks Dieter), just click the link below:

Tonight, Alpha Trains > NS 186 111 and 112 arrive in the Netherlands, in blue and yellow. They have had their R1 overhaul in Dessau, Germany during the past weeks. This means all twelve Alpha Trains locos that the Dutch railways are hiring (186 111-122) have been overhauled and repainted, no more red and white.

Next month, the delivery will start of a new batch of TRAXX MS locos for the NS, commencing with unit no. 186 020. NS has still 18 units on order.

Thanks to Ron Snieder en René Klink for the images.

There is still going on a lot in the Netherlands, regarding Traxx MS locomotives in service of the Dutch railways (NS). The size of the locomotive fleet is constantly growing and locomotives are being re-equipped continuously. An overview:

All locomotives on hire from Alpha Trains, all in use for IC Direct Amsterdam - Breda vv:
- in red: 186 111, 112, 116 and 120
- in Dessau in revision: 186 115 and 121
- revision completed, in yellow and blue: 186 113, 114, 117-119, 122

All locomotives on hire from Macquarie Rail:
- 186 142: Benelux service Amsterdam - Brussels
- 186 148+149: being modified for hauling IC Direct trains
- 186 144+236: used for IC Direct trains Amsterdam - Breda
- 186 237+238: new, for passenger trains to Germany
- 186 239: used for IC Direct trains Amsterdam - Breda

Property of NS:
- 186 001, 003-006, test locomotives for sandwich service IC Direct
- 186 002, 007, 009-019: used for IC Direct trains Amsterdam - Breda
- 186 008: in Kassel for repair
- 186 020-037 (numbers not confirmed): on order

Locon 9902 passing through in Rijssen (NL) pulling the freshly overhauled (R1 in Dessau) NS E 186 122 and 186 117. (Henk Zwoferink)

Update: The damaged E 186 008 is sent back to Kassel. On 30.07.2015 the machine left the Netherlands. On the morning of 03.08.2015 the machine was first seen in Kassel.

Several NS locomotives are on the move. Back from Hennigsdorf are NS E 186 016 and 017, that arrived in the Netherlands on 02.08.2015. We also expect the overhauled Alpha Trains>NS E 186 117 and 122 soon back from Dessau.

For the next years, this will be a common sight. Two Traxx MS locomotives top and tailing a rake of ICRm coaches. Amsterdam - Rotterdam (AmRo) will be done with such compositions. Currently tests on this route are being performed. Same for future Eindhoven - Den Haag trains. This is why NS recently ordered 18 extra locomotives.

On 23.05.2015, NS E 186 016 and 017 came back to the Netherlands after serving as tast bed locomotives at Zurich for Bombardier. On 24.06.2015, they left the country again, bound to Germany. Let's see where this transport is going. A first image of the transport here.

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.

The E 186 series of the Dutch railways (NS) is complete again. After the return of E 186 016 and 017 (that were used for tests by Bombardier in Zurich (CH)) now also E 186 018 is back in the Netherlands. Last night the machine came back from Wegberg-Wildenrath, towed by Locon 9904.

We showed you the RailAdventure transport with several locomotives two days ago. 187 009 und 193 901 were parked in Mannheim, as shown in the two title images. NS E 186 016 and 017 were taken to Emmerich and continued their journey into the Netherlands, to Amsterdam.

Having the 193 901 back in Germany, means that the tests with double Vectron traction in Switzerland are completed for now. 193 902 was left behind in the Alp country. Beneath an image of the final run together of the two white locomotives:

An exotic transport: RailAdventure transporting various locomotives and coaches up north. Behind the 139 558 one sees the NS Traxx MS locomotives 186 016 and 017 that come from Zurich, were Bombardier used them for tests with new Twindexx Swiss Express trains. Then there is the red Bombardier 187 009 that has been used by Swiss Rail Traffic replacing the SRT 487 001. The Vectron in this train is 193 901, also coming from Switzerland. 193 902 was left behind in the Alp country.

The E 186 016 and 017 have been spotted in Emmerich already.

In April, the Dutch railways (NS) wanted to the start the AmRo shuttle: a direct shuttle service connecting Amsterdam and Rotterdam. But, the introduction of these trains is delayed, as rolling stock envisaged for these services still needs some testing to do.

NS is going to use revised ICRm coaches top and tailed by a Traxx MS locomotive (sandwich composition). Currently, we think 186 001-006 have the software installed to be used in sandwich mode, which means they are no longer available for normal services.

186 001 and 004 are testing with a rake of ICRm coaches in final composition. Routes and dates are rather random. 186 003 and 005 have been seen with the 'Testtrein' rake of coaches. These runs focus for example on bogie behavior.

Today, the NS 1760, pulling the IC from Berlin to Amsterdam lost its heating power. A Traxx came to the rescue and took over from Deventer. A unscheduled first for the NS Traxx hauling this service.

In the upcoming years, these new locomotives will be pulling the new domestic intercity services that will make use of the the high speed line infrastructure between Breda - Rotterdam and Rotterdam - Amsterdam. They will come to Eindhoven and The Hague. Most likely they will also serve as back-up for the Benelux services Amsterdam - Brussels. For this they still need to be granted approval for the Belgian rail network.

First regular workings are expected to start next April, as NS will introduce the Amsterdam - Rotterdam (AmRo) shuttle (1/hour). Combined with the Amsterdam - Breda shuttles NS will then be able to offer three hourly trains between those two cities. - HZ/NS NS TRAXX MS2e

Yesterday, we already saw the two yellow/blue Traxx MS locomotives on transport by RailAdventure. And this image showed the two electrics leaving the Netherlands again, bound for Emmerich on 30.01.2015. - TS/HZ/MB

NS TRAXX MS2e Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3

The 189 and the 186 were added in Kassel Rbf last night. In Lippstadt the transport was splitted again, with the two modern locomotives heading for Bad Bentheim > the Netherlands. 139 558 ran to from Lippstadt to Mönchengladbach with the Desiro ML. Various impressions of the transports today. - HM/HZ/RA/ML/MT

NS TRAXX MS2e

017 is de laatste van dit jaar. (@ Emplacement Watergraafsmeet) https://t.co/Vcrz8VVjrF pic.twitter.com/Hf6SoqpsRA

— Willem vander Houven (@Steelwheelz) December 16, 2014

Nice image huh? This morning, NS E NS E 186 017 arrived at Amsterdam-Watergraafsmeer workshops. The locomoive is that last one of its series to be handed over to NS in 2014. After the holidays, the 018 and 019 will arrive, but then it is already 2015. NS TRAXX MS2e

This images shows SNCB no. 2809 / E 186 201 waiting for its first duty as Benelux service from Amsterdam to Brussels. After a two year break, this 'classic' international trains is back on its original route. And now 16 times a day, instead of 12.

In the past years the service only connected Brussels with The Hague HS after. Originally it was cancelled completely in favour of the new high speed services with AnsaldoBreda's Fyra V250 trains, but after these trains were taken out of service, the Benelux trains were reinstated quickly. But as train paths to Amsterdam were then already taken by other trains, the Benelux had to be shortened.

As from today, it run on its original route again, so it is not using the high speed lines between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp. These faster trains will be introduced in the next years.

For the current services, Dutch ICRm coaches are being used, like before. Many of these still wear the Fyra livery. These stickers will gradually disappear. In the past months, NS has been retrofitting more ICRm coaches, coming from domestic services, for the Benelux services. They are now forming fixed rakes of coaches in the normal NS blue and yellow livery. They got a different door closing system using spanjolets, a demand of the Belgian railways, that approved these additional coaches only last week. The newly formed rakes also have a driving trailer, but this is not used as such. This coach is taken along as it has features a toilet for people with physical disabilities and extra space for service personnel. Locomotives are always pulling the trains.

NMBS/SNCB, the Belgian railways currently have ten Traxx MS locomotives from its freight pool available for the Benelux services: 2802, 2803, 2806, 2809, 2812, 2813, 2815, 2821, 2832 and 2833. But more are needed (especially now the 2821 crashed onto a car last night).

The software of NS lease locomotive 186 142 has already been downgraded so it can assist on the Benelux service. The machine was already seen in Brussels yesterday. NS plans on having the newly delivered 186 001-019 being homologated for Belgium too as back-up. Alpha Trains TRAXX MS2e Macquarie Rail (former CBRail) TRAXX MS2e NS TRAXX MS2e

Meanwhile, Nedtrain, the company that currently adjusting two ICRm driving trailers for push pull operation with these yellow and blue Traxx MS locomotives, has released an image of the new interior of the driver cab. This is only a trial process. Push pull service of Traxx MS and ICRm is something that may become reality in the future when test are successful and costs are justifyable.

E 186 001 and 002: These two machines are no longer available for the Amsterdam - Bred shuttle services. They got new software for testing sandwich traction.

E 186 015: Was expected to be delivered last weekend, but the 016 was sent to the Netherlands in stead. The 015 required some extra work to meet the delivery requirments. It arrived at Bad Bentheim last night and will enter the Netherlands today, if not already happened.

E 186 016: Arrived in Bad Bentheim on 06.12.2014 and arrived in the Netherlands two days later.

E 186 017: completed its maiden run on 08.12.2014

E 186 018: completed its maiden run today: - CK/TO

NS TRAXX MS2e

NS TRAXX MS2e

20.11.2014: The train with with six coaches arrived on Platform 8 at Brussels Midi from the north at around 18:30. Then the loco ran round and departed north around 19:00. The exact purposes of these test runs are yet unknown. - ID

Update: This run was part of the ongoing homologation of the NS Traxx E 186 001-019 for Belgium. Using its Traxx MS locomotives in Belgium has always been a wish of the Dutch railways, but this never became reality. It is also remarkable because the NS purchased its E 186s for domestic services only. NS TRAXX MS2e

MRCE Vectron NS TRAXX MS2e

This week, NS E 186 010 is performing the obligatory acceptance runs in the Netherlands. RvdW NS TRAXX MS2e

NS TRAXX MS2e

Image and video show both locomotives sandwiching three Belgian I6-coaches on the line Louvain - Bertrix. - GB

NS TRAXX MS2e

During the test runs, the longitudinal forces and shear on the first locomotive was measured using a special coupling and cameras. - CR

Both locomotives used, e.g. E 186 149 and 239, are part of the locomotive fleet of the Dutch railways (NS) for some time now, but are rarely seen. The test are being held for the Amsterdam - Breda shuttle service of NS.

Macquarie Rail (former CBRail) TRAXX MS2e NS TRAXX MS2e

Bombardier has hired E 186 007 from the NS for tests with ETCS. NS TRAXX MS2e

NS TRAXX MS2e

Delivery of the first locomotives of the new NS E 186 001-019 batch now make it possible that the hired machines can get their mandatory maintenance in Dessau. We have seen E 186 001, 002 and 003 so far mixing in on the Amsterdam - Breda shuttles in regular service.

When the E 186 114 comes back from Dessau, it will have the same blue and yellow livery as the new E 186 001-019.

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

Alpha Trains TRAXX MS2e NS TRAXX MS2e

Meanwhile, E 186 001 and 002 are regularly seen in normal service between Amsterdam and Breda. Last weekend, E 186 003 made a trip to Maastricht, where the locomotive picked up NS 1748 and a rake of ICRm coaches.

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

NS TRAXX MS2e

Part of the 'modern' parade is the new Traxx MS no. E 186 004. It gave us the opportunity to take a very close look. Remarkable are the many technical markings still being crossed out, and the immediate change of the NVR-number when such a locomotive arrives in NL. For the rest, it is very very yellow, and shiny.

Of course, there was a lot more to see! Curious? Click here for all pictures of today.

And for those, who did not know that Traxx actually also means something, the explanation:

Update: Video report of the first day (in Dutch):

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

NS TRAXX MS2e

Yesterday, Metronom locomotive 246 005 was seen in Ramelsloh. It came Kassel after a R1 revision. - PB

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

Alpha Trains TRAXX MS2e DB Cargo Traxx AC3 LNVG 246 NS TRAXX MS2e

E 186 001 and 002 are meanwhile a regular sight in revenue service. They are often used to pull the Amtserdam - Breda Intercity Direct shuttle.

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

NS TRAXX MS2e

Meanwhile, the NS E 186 007 is ready for departing to the Netherlands: - CK

NS TRAXX MS2e

NS TRAXX MS2e

Today, E 186 002 was used immediately for the Intercity Direct shuttle trains connecting Amsterdam with Breda. That looks like this.

BTW. E 186 004 is doing test runs again today. NS TRAXX MS2e

The locomotive runs with ICRm coaches, some of them in the standard yellow and blue IC-livery, others with the former Fyra-livery, that will disappear. There are also time tables available for the trials, for whom is interested.

Finally, a movie:

More information about these trains:

NS TRAXX MS2e

NS TRAXX MS2e

Many comments were posted, when new images appeared on the net. All had different opinions on the livery of the new machine, both positive and negative, which is okay of course. Taste is totally objective. However, two things were mentioned over and over again: First there are the small NS logos, looking a bit 'lost' on such a large blue surface. Secondly, many people craved for a nice, short Dutch service number.

It inspired us to make two alternative dessins. The first simply answering the two remarks stated before. The second one just a bit more 'out of the box', using the same trick as the Norwegian railways do with the El18 electrics right now: display the nice scenery of the country. What do you think?

NS TRAXX MS2e

There it is! The yellow Traxx. This morning, locomotive E 186 001 started its maiden run from Kassel. It is the first of nineteen locomotives with a DE/AT/BE/NL-package and a top speed of 160 kph, that will be delivered to the Dutch railways (NS) in 2014 and 2015.

These machines are most important to the NS, as they will be at the basis for the Fyra V250 replacement time table, as presented earlier this year.

More information about these trains:

NS TRAXX MS2e

In 2014-2015 nineteen yellow and blue Traxx machines will be delivered by Bombardier from Kassel. They will be used for the Intercity Direct services, using the Dutch high speed line on certain routes. The first coaches are already adjusted (ICRm), waiting for things to come.

More information about these trains:

NS TRAXX MS2e

The new trains will have the Intercity Direct brand name (Fyra belongs to the past). Like the normal NS intercity rolling stock, they will be yellow with blue window areas. So expect Traxx MS locomotives in yellow and blue.

In Maastricht the NS is already preparing the first ICRm coaches for their new services over the HSL. First ones are ready and parked in Amsterdam right now. These coaches do not sport any marks or logos. According to plans, the Traxx locomotives will be used in push pull operation with the ICRm driver trailers, for the first time. NS already had a surplus of these coaches-with-a-cab, so now they can be used again. NS TRAXX MS2e

The Dutch Railways have decided to order 19 new Traxx MS locomotives (DE/AT/BE/NL configuration) for its passenger services that will include the high speed line (HSL-Zuid) in the Netherlands. Loco-hauled trains will be the short term alternative for the long planned domestic services that should have been running with the now troubled V250-trains from AnsaldoBreda. These are now topic of a dispute between NS and the Italian manufacturer.

Delivery of the 19 new machines is planned for the end of 2014. They will be operated on the relations Amsterdam – Rotterdam (as of December 2014) and The Hague - Eindhoven (as of december 2015) via the HSL. The new name for these trains will be most likely Intercity Direct. This name replaces the Fyra brand next week. Their top speed will be 160 kph.

The Traxx MS is already approved for both the Dutch conventional rail network and the HSL. Maintenance will be done at Watergraafsmeer workshop, near Amsterdam. There they have already plenty of experience with the type, as they are already maintaining the similar locomotives that are being leased from Alpha Trains and Macquarie Rail.

More information: The complete plan as proposed by NS in June 2013. - De Koppeling (NS)/Bombardier NS TRAXX MS2e