The return of the trains to the supplier is the outcome of the settlements reached between AnsaldoBreda and its customers, NS and Belgian National Railways (SNCB), following the collapse of the Amsterdam – Brussels Fyra service in January 2013, which led ultimately to the cancellation of both orders.

All of the trains currently stored in the Netherlands will be returned to Italy by the end of the year.

AnsaldoBreda is looking to find a market for the rejected trains, with Turkey rumoured as a potential destination. Several test runs have taken place on Italian high-speed lines including Milan – Turin.

If AnsaldoBreda succeeds in finding a new owner NS may receive up to €20m in additional compensation.