NS trains running again on reduced timetable; "Very limited" train traffic in Amsterdam

After a morning of no trains at all, NS started up its winter timetable at around 10:00 a.m. Trains are running again on a reduced schedule throughout the country, except in Amsterdam. Only a “very limited train service” is possible in the capital due to many switch failures, NS said.

Train traffic in Flevoland is also still severely restricted by switch failures. Not all railway switches in the Netherlands are heated, meaning that they malfunction when the weather turns freezing. And even the heated switches can’t stand up to more than about a centimeter of snow, a ProRail spokesperson explained to ANP on Monday.

ProRail contractors are working on repairing the many switch failures, but the winter weather is also slowing their response and repair times.

So while some trains are running again, the snow and freezing temperatures are still causing many issues on the tracks. “Only travel if absolutely necessary; postpone your trip if possible,” NS advised, “We recommend keeping a close eye on the travel planner.”