Unlike the previous trains, the 18 sets will be suitable for operation in both the Netherlands and Belgium, and will be designated Intercity New Generation Belgium (ICNGB).
They will be capable of running under 1.5kV dc, 3kV dc and 25kV 50 Hz ac, with the latter used on both the Dutch and Belgian section of HSL South, on Belgium line 4 between the Dutch and Belgian border, and the outskirts of Antwerp.
NS ordered two ICNGB EMUs as test vehicles when it placed the order for the 79 ICNG trains to allow a fast and smooth authorisation to place in service application in both the Netherlands and Belgium. Following the completion of the order, NS will operate a fleet of 20 ICNGB trains.
The three-system ICNGB trains will enter service from 2025 and operate Amsterdam - Brussels South direct inter-city services, replacing the 160km/h trains operated with 35+ year-old ICRm coaches and four voltage Bombardier Traxx locomotives from both NS and Belgian National Railways (SNCB). NS leases these locomotives from Akiem, Macquarie Rail and Alpha Trains, while SNCB is using Traxx locomotives from Alpha Trains.
The ICNG is based on Alstom’s Coradia platform, and is largely being manufactured at Alstom’s facilities in Katowice, Poland. The first EMU made its debut run on the VUZ test track at Velim in the Czech Republic on May 8. The 49 five-car trains and 28 eight-car trains are due to enter service at the end of 2020.
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