Illustrations of Dutch post-war rolling stock operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen, created entirely using HTML and CSS by Chun Fei Lung, who is not a huge fan of trains (or CSS). This page is best viewed in modern web browsers.
NS Intercity Nieuwe Generatie (ICNG)
Intercity Nieuwe Generatie (ICNG). Also known as the “Wasp”. NS placed an order for these new intercity trains in 2018 in anticipation of growing passenger numbers, but a pandemic and a plethora of service disruptions (due to strikes and staff shortages) have turned that growth into a very sharp decline. In service 2023–present.
NS Sprinter Nieuwe Generatie (SNG)
Sprinter Nieuwe Generatie (SNG). Has blue ceiling lights that look just as gaudy in real life as they do on pictures (and in the Star Trek: The Next Generation logo). Newer trains have a yellow nose rather than the blue one depicted here to make them stand out more against the blue/grayish skies. In service 2018–present.
NS Verlengd Interregiomaterieel modern (VIRMm)
Verlengd Interregiomaterieel modern (VIRMm); a refit version of the VIRM with seats that offer an insane amount of leg room (even in second class!) and a surprisingly good view of everyone else due in the compartment, so be prepared for awkward staring contests with other passengers! In service 2017–present.
NS Flirt
Flirt. Also known as “Flirt Fast Forward” or “FFF”. Rush-ordered by NS when they had to retire old trains before their replacements could be delivered. Mostly used in parts of the country where people are incapable of pronouncing the letter “g” correctly, like Nijmeggghhhhhen. In service 2016–present.
NS/NMBS V250 (Fyra)
V250. Also known as “Fyra”, “Albatros”, “Spaghettiboemel”, “ALDI train” and “expensive piece of shit”. Capable of reaching speeds of 250 km/h. Technically a high-speed train, but in practice often limited to top speeds of up to 0 km/h. In service 2012–2013. To be precise, from 9 December 2012 until 18 January 2013 (40 days).
NS Dubbeldekker Zonering (DDZ)
Dubbeldekker Zonering (DDZ). Refit version of the DD-AR. Looks old and new at the same time, kind of like an old person with copious amounts of botox and makeup. Its boxy shape and colours also reminds you a bit of IKEA. In service 2012–present.
NS Sprinter Lighttrain (SLT)
Sprinter Lighttrain (SLT), known primarily for its “prullenbakklepjesterreur”. Requires more unscheduled reboots than your average Windows machine. Passenger information displays use stone coal English? In service 2009–present.
NS Class 186
Class 186 locomotive. Used for international passenger trains and the Intercity direct (also known as Intercity defect due to its “Fail fast” philosophy). In service 2008–present.
NS Intercitymaterieel modern (ICMm)
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Intercitymaterieel modern (ICMm); an updated version of the ICM. It’s prettier than the original, but lacks most of the features that made the original so beloved. In other words, it’s basically the train version of consumer software. In service 2007–present.
NS Stadsgewestelijk Materieel modern (SGMm)
Stadsgewestelijk Materieel modern (SGMm). Also known as “Vlaflip” (a Dutch dessert that’s just as boring as the Dutch flag). Looks like a McDonalds’s restaurant from the 90s, but without the smell. Also evokes strong feelings of disappointment when you see this instead of the airconditioned SLT you were expecting. First modern NS train with a predominantly white livery. In service 2003–2021.
VDL Futura
VDL Futura and other types of coaches, operated by the Jan de Wit Groep and Transvision on behalf of NS. This is what your “train” often looks like during the summer holidays, during autumn, the weekend, or when there are major disruptions. The clock in front of the bus never shows the right time.
ICE 3M
ICE 3M (Baureihe 406). An actual high speed train that never reaches its full potential due to the disappointingly small size of the Netherlands, where you can always literally just walk to the next station if you really want to. Kind of like that one ex who’s sexy, but always late. Don’t forget to wear earplugs when it brakes. In service 2000–present.
NS Verlengd Interregiomaterieel (VIRM)
Verlengd Interregiomaterieel (VIRM); technically a longer version of the dubbeldeksinterregiomaterieel (DD-IRM). Sounds like a crying whale when it departs. Originally known as “Regiorunner”. Some units were called “Doedelzak” (“Bagpipes”) due to the obnoxious sound of their engines. Probably the last train type in the Netherlands which still lets you pee and shit through a hole in the floor. In service 1994–present.
NS Dubbeldeksmaterieel (DDM)
Dubbeldeksmaterieel (DDM). First double-decker train in the Netherlands. Visually similar to the later Dubbeldeksaggloregiomaterieel (DD-AR). Looks, feels, and smells like a convection oven that has not been cleaned in years. Seats are so green that you suspect they might be radioactive. In service 1985–2019.
NS Class 1700
Class 1700 locomotive. Used to tow and push passenger trains. Sounds like a moving refrigerator. In service 1991–2023. It is visually similar to its predecessor, the 1600, which has been in service since 1981.
NS Intercitymaterieel (ICM)
Intercitymaterieel (ICM), the Boeing 747 of Dutch trains. One train was even painted in KLM colours in celebration of the opening of the Amsterdam–Schiphol railway line. Alternative names include Plan Z and “Koploper”. The latter name refers to the “heads” of the train, which could open to reveal a gangway that made it possible to connect two ICMs with each other. In service 1977–2011.
NS Stadsgewestelijk Materieel (SGM)
Stadsgewestelijk Materieel (SGM), the OG Sprinter. Also known as Plan Y, because why would you name trains after anything other than letters of the alphabet? Primarily operated in the Randstad area. Some trains were apparently used as CityPendel. I have no idea what that is. In service 1975–2009.
NS Mat ’64
Materieel ’64 or “Apekop”. Includes Plan T and Plan V models. The latter is depicted here. Comfortable seats in an otherwise uncomfortable train. Extremely hangry for electricity, but was often the only train type that still functioned during harsh winters. It’s fortunate that climate change has made these trains completely unnecessary. In service 1967–2016.
NS Mat ’54
Materieel ’54 or “Hondekop”. Includes Plan F, G, M, P and Q, and train set 747. Primarily used for express services. Older trains were painted green. Some trains had red noses and were thus nicknamed “Bloedneus” (“Nosebleed”). In service 1956–1996.
NS Class 1300
Class 1300 locomotive. The boxiest and boringest of locomotives. Also the locomotive with the biggest NS logo. Basically copy-pasted from the French CC7100 series. In service 1952–2000.