The ICNG or InterCity Nieuwe Generatie (InterCity New Generation) will be used on the so-called Benelux train service between Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands from Monday 15 April 2024. This service will be a new and fast one with very few stops. It will connect Brussels-South/Midi and Amsterdam Central Station in exactly two hours!

This Benelux service is also known as the Amsterdammer or the Brusselaar, depending on your point of view. 

This is exciting news. Some Benelux train drivers shared the new timetable in their socials and indeed, you can see for yourself in the NMBS / SNCB app. Some, not all, Benelux train rides will be serviced by Alstom Coradia train sets which are called ICNG or The Wasp by its operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). 

Fast and new

As you can see on this screenshot of the app, this new service is really new. The ‘regular’ has 92XX numbers, the new and fast service 95XX. 

The 95XX calls only at 

• Brussels-South/Midi.
• Antwerp-Central.
• Rotterdam Central.
• Schiphol Airport.
• Amsterdam Central Station.

With its two-hour travel time, it wants to compete with Eurostar (ex-Thalys).

The ‘regular’ 92XX series calls at

• Brussels-South/Midi.
• Brussels-Central.
• Brussels-North.
• Brussels Airport – Zaventem.
• Mechelen.
• Antwerp-Berchem.
• Antwerp-Central.
• Noorderkempen.
• Breda.
• Rotterdam Central.
• Schiphol Airport.
• Amsterdam Central Station.

Quite a few more stops indeed. 

More on Benelux trains

• New direct Benelux train links Amsterdam to Brussels in two hours from December 2024.
• Sampling NS’ new train and future Benelux rolling stock ICNG.
• Future Benelux ICNG trains complete test rides for Belgium.
• Brussels – Amsterdam ‘Benelux’ train service to be shortened by 40 minutes, skipping several stops in the Netherlands and Belgium.
• VIDEO | ICNG, the 2024 Benelux train from Amsterdam to Brussels.
• VIDEO | Brussels – Amsterdam with the Benelux-train (no reservations).
• Trying out the Benelux-intercity train from Antwerp to Breda.
• Benelux-intercity train from Brussels to Amsterdam changes route to Breda starting 9 April. 

les trains rapide assurés en ICNG-B vers Amsterdam sont déjà visibles dans l'app SNCB. Avec un peu de chance j'intègrerai la formation en Avril pour assurer ces nouveaux services transfrontaliers vers les pays bas. Je croise les doigts 🤞🏼💛💙 pic.twitter.com/3Fx9uiwm7z

— Henri Hosselet (@HosseletHenri) January 5, 2024