Off the rails: a final goodbye to the Apekop train

The famous Apekop train, officially named Mat ’64 (Materieel ’64), concluded its final journey on Wednesday before resuming its retirement. Originally decommissioned in 2016, the passenger train was reintroduced by operator Keolis last year, captivating train enthusiasts. After refurbishment work on newer trains resulted in a shortage of rolling stock, the train began running between Amersfoort and Barneveld Zuid.

However, its 12.25pm departure from Barneveld Zuid on Wednesday marks its last trip. The train will now return to Stichting 2454CRW, a volunteer group that maintains old trains. First seen on Dutch tracks in 1961, the Mat ’64, the last NS train mainly constructed in the Netherlands, became a symbol of Dutch commuter travel. The train served passengers for over five decades, with hundreds in service at its peak.

The nickname Apekop, meaning "monkey head" in Dutch, originated from the train's unique rounded nose.