National infrastructure manager of The
Netherlands
PRICB
- ProRail B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2016):
- 3434km standard gauge, 1917km electrified at 1500V= and 300km at
25kV 50Hz
ProRail operates and maintains the Dutch rail infrastructure. The
company originates
from Railinfrabeheer (track maintenance), Railned (capacity management)
and
Railverkeersleiding (traffic control) that were combined into ProRail
in 2005. ProRail owns 4 road/rail vehicles (Unimog from Zagro) for
hauling defective passenger trains. Track management is delegated to
other companies.
Website: https://www.prorail.nl/
Railway Operators in The Netherlands
Veolia Cargo Nederland, rail4chem Benelux and ITL Benelux were taken
over
by SNCF Fret Benelux and now operate as Captrain Netherlands.
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NS -
Nederlandse
Spoorwegen
Network length, gauge and electrification (2016):
- standard gauge, electrified at 1500V= and
25kV 50Hz
NS Reizigers operates passenger trains (both InterCity and local) over
the core railway network in The Netherlands. Regional networks have
been tendered, and some private operators have taken over
parts of the network. Since 2007 (high-speed) international trains were
operated by NS Hispeed, at the end of 2013 NS Hispeed was
integrated with NS Reizigers again. International trains are now simply
branded NS International. Using the brand name Abellio, NS operates
passenger trains and busses mainly in the UK and in Germany.
In December 2017 operation of Zwolle-Almelo-Enschede and Zwolle-Kampen
was taken over by Keolis. These lines were electrified in 2017 and
NS withdrew its last diesel trainsets by the end of 2017.
Former semi-independent train maintenance company Nedtrain is now part
of NS again, as NS Onderhoud en Service (O&S).
In 2023 1.085 million passengers a day travelled with NS, producing
15.5 billion passenger-km. This is still some 10% below 2019 pre-covid
levels.
Website: http://www.ns.nl/
Stock Tables:
ALTR -
Alstom Traction BV (former
Shunter Tractie B.V.)
Network length, gauge and electrification (2023):
In 2021 Alstom bought rolling stock maintenance company Shunter.
Alstom does not operate its own trains, but has a major repair shop in
Rotterdam for locomotives. They also have a fleet of diesel locomotives
and shunters that can be hired, by main line operators and by
industrial users.
Website: https://www.alstom.com/
Stock Tables:
AN - Arriva
Nederland
Network length, gauge and electrification (2020):
- 253km standard gauge, not electrified (Leeuwarden/Groningen)
(ProRail)
- standard gauge, not electrified (Achterhoek/Rivierenland)
(ProRail)
- standard gauge, partly electrified at 1500V= (Vechtdal) (ProRail)
- standard gauge, partly electrified at 1500V= (Limburg) (ProRail)
In 1999 and 2000 private railway Noordned took over the operation of
local trains on the lines radiating from from Leeuwarden and Groningen
(Leeuwarden-Harlingen, Leeuwarden-Stavoren, Leeuwarden-Groningen,
Groningen-Roodeschool, Groningen-Delfzijl and Groningen-Nieuweschans).
Noordned was later acquired by Arriva, and since December 2005 the
service is operated as Arriva Nederland. New stock has been ordered for
the lines, including the line from Nieuweschans to Leer in Germany. In
2017 Arriva won the tender again and will now operate these lines until
December 2035. 18 new hybrid (bio-diesel/battery) FLIRT3 trainsets from
Stadler have been ordered, the existing trainsets will be rebuilt to
hybrid drive.
In December 2020 the new concession started with an extra express train
Leeuwarden-Groningen (now twice per hour) and extra rush hour trains on
Leeuwarden-Sneek and Groningen-Winschoten. The express trains
Groningen-Winschoten will be extended to Leer once the new bridge over
the Ems in Germany has been built.
In 2006 Arriva also won the tender to operate the Merwede-Lingelijn
Dordrecht-Gorinchem-Geldermalsen from December 2006. In the beginning
hired trainsets from NSR were used, later electric trainsets were
ordered from Stadler. This service was lost to Qbuzz who took over in
December 2018.
In December 2012 Arriva has taken over operations from Syntus/NS on
Zutphen-Winterswijk, Zutphen-Apeldoorn, Arnhem-Winterswijk,
Arnhem-Tiel, and from NS on Zwolle-Emmen. In late 2013
Almelo-Mariënberg
(now operated by Syntus on behalf of Connexxion) followed. In 2016 this
service was extended from Mariënberg to Hardenberg. This concession
will run until December 2025. In 2024 Arriva has won this concession
again and will operate it until December 2035. The trainsets of Breng
for the Arnhem-Doetinchem weekday trains will be taken over by Arriva.
From December 2016 until 2031 Arriva operates all regional public
transport in the Limburg province. This includes all lines until then
operated by Veolia, plus Roermond-Maastricht and Sittard-Heerlen
Sprinter services formerly operated by NS. The cross-border section
Landgraaf-Herzogenrath(D) is was electrified in 2018 and
also
Nijmegen-Roermond will be electrified. In 2024 Arriva finally started
operating the "three country train"
Liège(B)-Maastricht-Heerlen-Aachen(D) which was planned for several
years.
Since December 2017 Zwolle-Emmen and Almelo-Hardenberg (Vechtdal
concession) is operated under the "Blauwnet" brand of Overijssel
province. In December 2023 Arriva has taken over operation of
Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal (ZHO) - also Blauwnet - from Keolis for 4
years
(opt. +1 year).
In October 2023 Arriva was sold by DB to USA investment company I
Squared.
Website: http://www.arriva.nl/
Stock Tables:
CXXN
-
Connexxion
Network length, gauge and electrification (2006):
- standard gauge, electrified at 1500V= (ProRail)
For many years Connexxion ran passenger trains on
Almelo-Mariënberg, but these were actually operated by Syntus until
taken over by Arriva in December 2013. In
December 2006 Connexxion took over the passenger trains on
Amersfoort-Ede=Wageningen from NSR. New trainsets have entered service.
Under brand name Breng the company operates half the passenger trains
on Arnhem-Doetinchem (the other half and all weekend service is
operated by Arriva). In December 2025 these trainsets will go to Arriva, that has won the new concession.
Since December 2023 Amersfoort-Ede=Wageningen is operated by Keolis
using its RRReis brand. All electric trainsets have transferred to
Keolis.
Website: http://www.connexxion.nl/
Stock Tables:
DBC (RN) -
DB
Cargo
Nederland N.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2003):
After the split-up of the "old" NS, freight was handled by NS Cargo. NS
Cargo merged into Railion, and became Railion Benelux. In September
2003 this name was changed again into Railion Nederland (RN). In
February
2009 the "final" name became DB Schenker Rail Nederland N.V. In 2016
this was replaced by DB Cargo.
In 2007 Railion Nederland transported 31.9 million tonnes of freight,
0.8 million tonnes more than in 2006 (+2.5%). In tonne-km the amount of
freight was 4.68 billion.
Website: https://nl.dbcargo.com/
Stock Tables:
HSLN - HSL
Netherlands B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2020):
HSLN is the Dutch operating arm of HSL Logistik from Germany. The
company operates international trains, mainly to the port of Rotterdam.
It mainly uses leased electric locomotives from its German parent.
Website: https://hsl-netherlands.eu/
Stock Tables:
KEO -
Keolis Nederland B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2017):
- 137km standard gauge, 96km electrified at 1500V= (ProRail)
Since December 2017 all former operations of Syntus in The Netherlands
operate under the name of its owner, Keolis.
From May 1999 Syntus, a cooperation of NS and
bus operator Oostnet, took over the service on the NS lines
Zutphen-Winterswijk and Winterswijk-Doetinchem. At first second-hand
rolling stock was used, but in total 19 new light-rail DMUs (LINT)
entered service from May 2001 on. They also took over the stock of
Oostnet (now retired), and operate trains on Almelo-Mariënberg too. On
1 April 2005 they started operation of Arnhem-Tiel, taken over from
NSR. In 2012 all shares of Syntus were transferred to Keolis (France).
In December 2012 most of the train operation of Syntus was taken over
by
Arriva, that won the tender in December 2009, except for
Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal. Since December 2017 Keolis operates the
(now electrified) regional railways Zwolle-Kampen and
Zwolle-Almelo-Hengelo-Enschede under brand name "Blauwnet" of
Overijssel province.
In December 2023 operation of Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal has been taken
over by Arriva. Since December 2023 Amersfoort-Ede=Wageningen is
operated by Keolis
using its RRReis brand, taken over from Connexxion. All electric
trainsets have transferred from
Connexxion to Keolis.
Website: http://www.keolis.nl/
Stock Tables:
KRE -
KombiRail
Europe B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2015):
KombiRail is a small open-access freight operator with a
focus on operating trains with containers and trailers between
the port of Rotterdam and the Ruhr area in Germany.
Website: http://www.kombirail.eu/
Stock Tables:
LNS -
Lineas Nederland B.V. (former Independent
Rail Partner)
Network length, gauge and electrification (2017):
Since June 2023 the Dutch activities of Lineas (Belgium) are operated
by Lineas Nederland, including former IRP that was taken over by
Lineas.
Lineas Nederland operates (international) freight trains in The
Netherlands
and performs shunting duties mainly in the North Sea ports.
Website: https://lineas.net/
Stock Tables:
LTE -
Logistik und Transport Netherlands
Network length, gauge and electrification (2012):
LTE is a large open-access freight operator from Austria. In 2012 a
subsidiary
was set up in The Netherlands, acquiring its own locomotives.
Website: https://www.lte-group.eu/
Stock Tables:
QBZ - Qbuzz
Network length, gauge and electrification (2018):
- standard gauge, electrified at 1500V= (ProRail)
Since December 2018 Qbuzz operates the Merwede-Lingelijn
Dordrecht-Gorinchem-Geldermalsen
train service as part of the Regio Drechtsteden-Molenlanden-Gorinchem
public transport
concession. This train service was previously operated by Arriva and
the trainsets
used are taken over by Qbuzz.
Website: https://www.qbuzz.nl/
Stock Tables:
RCCB -
Rail Cargo Carrier - Benelux B.V. (former CTD -
Captrain Netherlands B.V.)
Network length, gauge and electrification (2015):
In May 2024 the Rail Cargo Carrier group from Austria has taken over
all assets
and operations of Captrain in The Netherlands. The main line electric
locomotives have
been replaced by ÖBB Vectrons, the diesel shunters continue to be used
in ports and
terminals.
Website: https://railcargo.nl/
Stock Tables:
RFO - Rail
Force
One B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2017):
In 2017 Raillogix, a rail freight logistics company, started its
own freight operating company, Rail Force One. At first only
one electric locomotive was leased, more followed.
Website: https://www.railforce.one/
Stock Tables:
RRF -
Rotterdam
Rail Feeding
Network length, gauge and electrification (2004):
This company started its services in 2004. Its intentions are to
provide shunting services at freight terminals when a rail operator
does not have a shunting locomotive available. The first locomotive
started shunting in Ede-Wageningen on behalf of Rail4Chem in December
2004.
In April 2008 RRF was bought by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. from the
USA. This company operates many "shortlines" in the USA and provides
shunting services in many ports all over the world.
Services in the port of Antwerp in Belgium, operated since April 2011,
were withdrawn at the end of December 2018.
Website: https://www.railfeeding.com/
Stock Tables:
RXP -
Railexperts
B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2017):
Railexperts mainly operates open-access passenger trains, like the
Panorama Rail Restaurant
and international holiday trains.
In 2017 they bought their first own locomotive, second-hand electric
locomotive 9901
from LOCON Benelux.
In May 2021 Railadventure (RADVE) from Germany acquired a majority
stake in Railexperts. The first locomotive (9903, former NS 1611) has
already been repainted in the Railadventure white and grey livery.
Website: http://railexperts.nl/
Stock Tables:
TCS -
Train
Charter Services B.V.
Network length, gauge and electrification (2019):
In October 2019 Train Chater Events took over the operation of the
Dinner Train from bankrupt Railpromo. The trains are operated by
Train Charter Services using a license of Rail2U. The company operates
dinner trains from different stations during
different
periods of the year, and has also started operating freight trains.
In 2024 Dinner Train was declared bankrupt, therefore TCS now only
operates occasional freight and passenger trains.
Website: https://traincharter.eu/
Stock Tables:
Track maintenance companies
Network length, gauge and electrification (2003):
The following companies are responsible for track measuring and
maintenance. Apart from the locomotives and shunters in the
stock lists, the maintenance companies also have specialised stock like
tampers.
Stock Tables:
Last update: 29-11-2024