Dutch passenger rail operator, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), has presented a full-scale model of its upcoming double-decker train, ordered from manufacturer CAF. The model, which showcases both exterior and interior features, was unveiled during the company’s annual results presentation.
Design and accessibility
The new double-decker incorporates single-deck end carriages with level boarding, a configuration introduced for the first time in the Netherlands. This design aims to improve accessibility for passengers using wheelchairs or traveling with prams. The interior layout includes seating variations, such as high bar tables along the windows for passengers using laptops and raised four-seat arrangements with additional luggage space.
Capacity and features
The fleet will consist of 60 trainsets—30 with four carriages and 30 with six—offering a total of approximately 30,000 seats. The first-class section features two seats on either side of the aisle to maximize available seating. The trains will operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h.
Other onboard features include:
- A wheelchair-accessible toilet alongside standard restroom facilities.
- Icons on the exterior indicating designated spaces for passengers with strollers or large luggage.
- Power sockets and USB-C charging points at most seats.
- Digital screens at entrances displaying real-time travel information.
Material use and sustainability
A material passport will be created for each train before construction, documenting the origin of materials and supporting efforts to use recyclable and renewable components. NS states that this approach is intended to reduce material depletion and facilitate dismantling and recycling at the end of the trains’ service life.
Interior concept
The interior design builds on NS’s 2018 interior vision, which was tested by over 600 passengers during the Dutch Design Week. Elements such as the high bar tables, raised seating areas, and a wood-patterned ceiling were developed from this vision. Conductors and drivers were also consulted in the design process.
The first units of the new double-decker fleet are planned to enter service in 2029.
