Before my vacation to the Netherlands, in the first two weeks of January 2025, I learned that Piko made a model train of the Connexxion GTW (GelenkTriebwagen) which is an electric multiple unit from Stadler Rail. This is one of the trains that run on the line between Amersfoort-Barneveld-Ede vv. Since I am modeling a diorama based on the trains in the town of Lunteren, I really focused on getting this model, as it will not only look more realistic, but also because we as a family have memories on this train. When we go on a family vacation to the Netherlands, we stay at a bungalow in this town which is a 45-minute walk away from the train station. (Only 12 minutes by bicycle that we rent while at the bungalow)
Next to this being our vacation area, I also was stationed here in the mid 1980’s on a Dutch military post in Ede. However, at that time the NS mat’64 plan V trains were running on this line, as it was not yet a private operator. (From which I also have a hO scale model from Fleischmann)
Anyway, the model is no longer in production and was nowhere to be found, except used on eBay for a high price. After searching at every online model train store in the Netherlands I was lucky to found one, the only one still available, new and regular list price.
I found my model at “Modelbouw Veendam” located in the province of Groningen.
The store ships its merchandise to Dutch addresses, so I was able to have him ship it to my aunt’s address. I also had to sign off when the mailman dropped it off, so we agreed he ship the train on the day I arrived at the airport in the Netherlands, since it was on my name.
Here I am as happy as a little kid, I got my train. Yeah. It arrived the day after I was at my aunt’s home. Although this particular train is no longer in service, it was in service from 2 April 2013 till 11 December 2016, and has since been replaced by Stadler Rail FLIRT (Flinker Leichter Innovativer Regionaltriebzug)
Check out the fine details in this model train:
(It comes with imitation Scharfenberg couplers not shown in pictures)
2 Comments
Ah, you’ve bought this in Rijswijk.
Almost, however i found one online at modelbouw Veendam, he shipped it to me the day after I arrived on vacation in the Netherlands. Since it was the last one, i didnt want to take the risk to miss out.