A beloved piece of Dutch railway history is briefly returning to the tracks. In early 2025, the iconic Plan V train unit 904 nicknamed “De Karel”—will again run passenger services along the ‘Kippenlijn’ route between Amersfoort and Ede-Wageningen.
This nostalgic return is not just for show. Dutch rail operator Keolis Nederland, operating under the RRReis brand, is facing a temporary rolling stock shortage due to a scheduled modernization of its train fleet. Keolis has leased the vintage Plan V no. 904 from the Stichting 2454 Crew foundation to maintain reliable service.
The train has undergone a technical checkup by Brouwer Technology in Roosendaal and now wears the blue-white colours of the Valleilijn, the brand name that RRReis will replace.
The Valleilijn (‘Valley line’) is a public transport connection through the Gelderse Vallei, a region some 25-30 kilometres east of Utrecht, between Amersfoort and Wageningen. Until December 2023, the trains were operated by Dutch Transdev company Connexxion until Keolis took over.
- History repeats: Plan V EMUs in blue were also active on the Valleilijn between 2008 and 2013, lingering rolling stock shortages:
What trains are being modernized?
Seven electric units, 5x Protos and 2x FLIRT EMUs, initially operated by Connexxion, are being upgraded:
- 5x 2-car Protos EMU – no. 5031-5035 – in service since 2007;
- 2x 3-car FLIRT EMU – no. 5038-5039 – in service since 2018;
Keolis is responsible for both the operation and renovation of these trains, aiming to improve comfort, accessibility, and consistency across the fleet. Key upgrades include:
- Exterior Refresh: A new RRReis purple, blue, and green livery.
- Interior Overhaul:
- Comfortable new seating.
- Stronger Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Expanded spaces for wheelchairs, bicycles, and luggage.
- Real-time seat availability indicators.
- Reconfigured layouts for easier boarding and a consistent look between FLIRT and Protos trains.
- Installation of toilets in the Protos units (pending approval from the province of Gelderland).
- The modernization is scheduled between 2024 and 2025, with each unit temporarily taken out of service for several months. Plan V 904 will help bridge this gap and ensure service continuity.
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