National train service scaled back all weekend due to snow and ice

Trains in the Netherlands will continue to run on a reduced timetable all weekend, with freezing temperatures predicted Friday through Sunday during both daytime and overnight hours, said ProRail. The Dutch railroad infrastructure firm indicated snow and ice are continuing to cause problems with the rail switches.

ProRail said that trains may be more crowded than usual, and may also be delayed. International trains will run "as much as possible according to schedule."

On Sunday, ProRail will assess whether trains can resume their normal schedule starting Monday. "With frost and a lot of moisture in the air, this can also precipitate on the overhead lines as ice," the company said.

Icy conditions also make it difficult to resolve the problems. The railroad firm wants to continue work along the tracks as much as possible this weekend, which is necessary "to continue to enable train traffic now and in the future." This will lead to more restrictions on Saturday and Sunday, including at Schiphol Airport.

National rail firm NS runs at least two trains per hour on most routes during winter timetable days. On routes normally serviced by four to six trains, two will be scrapped hourly.

Another train operator, Arriva, will run trains once per except on two of its routes around Groningen, where two trains will be operated hourly. trains will run once per hour. Keolis and Qbuzz expect to be able to operate according to their normal rail schedules.