Dutch Traxx withdrawn over pantograph fault

NS has withdrawn a fleet of leased Traxx locomotives currently operating IC-Direct services between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Breda because of a pantograph fault.

All 18 vehicles have been taken out of service as a precaution after manufacturer Bombardier warned the Dutch operator of an issue with the pantograph on two of the locomotives.

Bombardier has sent a team of engineers to Amsterdam inspect the units.

The Traxx locomotives were brought in to take the place of V250 trainsets which were retired last year when part of the undercarriage of one of the trains fell off during bad weather.

On December 6, the NS ordered 19 TRAXX locomotives of the same type for operation in Germany, Austria, Belgium and The Netherlands.

The locomotives should be operating in normal timetable again as of this morning (April 10).