The first day of testing was successful and the train completed the full scheduled test programme.
Speeds were incrementally increased to 160km/h and brake testing was also carried out. During its visit to Velim the train will be tested at 200km/h, the maximum speed for the ICNG.
The five-car train completed its transfer from Alstom’s plant in Salzgitter, Germany, to Velim on May 4. A second five-car set is expected to arrive at the test centre soon and two eight-car ICNG sets will also visit Velim for testing.
The test programme will generate data needed for the train to obtain an Authorisation to Place in Service (APS), the permit required for passenger operation.
The train’s yellow and blue livery will be applied using vinyls before entry into service.
In July 2016 NS awarded Alstom a contract worth more than €800m to supply 79 trains based on the supplier’s Coradia Stream platform for use on both the conventional network and the HSL South high-speed line. The order comprises 49 five-car and 30 eight-car sets.
The order for new trains for domestic services on HSL South stems from the return of the ill-fated V250 Fyra trains to manufacturer AnsaldoBreda. The 250km/h trains withdrawn in December 2012 just weeks after their introduction and replaced by Bombardier class 186 Traxx MS2 locomotives and ICRm coaches, which have a maximum speed of 160km/h.
Most of the trains will be dual-voltage (1.5kV dc and 25 kV 50Hz ac), although two sets will also be equipped to operate on the Belgian 3kV dc system. This will enable authorisation to be obtained for operation in Belgium in advance of a potential future order for multi-system trains for cross-border operation.
The ICNG fleet will be equipped with ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3 and the Dutch ATB train protection system.