Class 400/800 Plan V

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Number series: 401-483, 801-965
UIC Class: 94 84 4336/37/52-57 xxx-x
Number built: 246
Number in service for NS: 150 (January 2010)
Introduced: 1966-1976
Axle arrangement: 2'Bo'+Bo'2'
Continuous power rating: 4x138 = 552kW
Maximum speed: 140km/h
Weight in working order: 85/88 tonnes
Length: 52.140m
Wheel diameter (new): 950mm
Builder mechanical part: Werkspoor and Talbot (Germany)
Builder electrical part: Smit
Passenger seating: 24 first, 104 second class (441-483 118 2nd)

After the success of the 4-car trainsets Plan T also a 2-car version for local/regional trains was introduced: Plan V. In total 246 trainsets of this class have been built, the first batches by Werkspoor in The Netherlands and the last batches by Talbot in Aachen (Germany). Since then all the new Dutch electrical trainsets originate from Talbot.
The batches have very small differences, the only noticeable difference being that batch V4-V6 don't have luggage compartments, but extra 2nd class seats instead. During recent reconstruction and modernisation more luggage compartments have been rebuilt with fold-down passenger seats. For the unexperienced traveller there are now two versions: with green seats and with grey seats in second class.
The 2-car trainsets Plan V are normally used for local/regional trains, but can also be found in some express trains. They can be coupled with other members of the same class and with Plan T, up to a total of 10 coaches. Plan V can be seen almost everywhere in The Netherlands.
In early 2004 the withdrawal of the class has started. By May, the first 3 subclasses (V1-3, 401-438) had been fully withdrawn, although 419 (temporarily painted in historic green livery) was still used for driver training. This one has been preserved but is not in working order anymore. Withdrawal has now been stopped but will start again once the new Sprinter trainsets will enter service from 2008. In July 2008 11 trainsets of class 800 were withdrawn, it is expected that nrs. 801-870 will all be withdrawn in 2009.
With the timetable change in December 2006 three regional lines were taken over by regional operators Connexxion, Veolia and Arriva. Together they used 21 more trainsets of this class. The Connexxion ones (5x) were returned before the timetable change on 9 December 2007, the others during 2008 although Connexxion has two on short-term hire in the beginning of 2009.