The Anonymous Widower

Eurostar Is Testing To Amsterdam

This article in Global Rail News is entitled Velaro Under Test In The Netherlands. This is the first two paragraphs.

NS and Siemens have completed the first tests of Eurostar’s new e320 train on the Dutch rail network.

Eurostar plans to launch direct services between Amsterdam Central and London St Pancras in 2017 and has now begun testing its new fleet on the Dutch HSL-Zuid.

It would appear that St. Pancras to Amsterdam will take about four hours.

I suspect they still got a few details to sort out.

• Immigration control, as the UK is not in Schengen.
• The Dutch signalling system.
• The unusual Dutch train voltage of 1,500 VDC, as opposed to the British, French and HSL-Zuid of 25 KVAC.
• To complicate matters the Germans use 15 KVAC and drive on the right.

It’s a pity for many, that HSL-Zuid was built deliberately to avoid calling at Den Haag.

May 4, 2016 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Amsterdam, Eurostar, Trains