AnsaldoBreda and Dutch railway operator NS have reached an agreement over the withdrawal of the high-speed V250 train fleet.

NS is to receive €125 million in compensation from the manufacturer and return the nine units already delivered to avoid a lengthy legal battle.

Fyra services were suspended in January 2013 after part of the undercarriage of a train fell onto the tracks following heavy snow.

SNCB subsequently withdrew the fleet and cancelled an order for more V250 trainsets after reports by Mott MacDonald and Concept Risk identified technical issues with the design and build of the trains. The investigations suggested that it would take months and millions of euros to rectify the issues.

AnsaldoBreda rejected these findings and maintained that the problems were not caused by faults with its rolling stock.

AnsaldoBreda has suggested that after a programme of upgrades, it aims to sell on the remaining V250 trainsets at which point it would be liable to pay an additional €21 million to the Dutch operator.

AnsaldoBreda’s parent company, Finmeccanica, said in a statement: “The conclusion was reached from the advantages both parties see in preventing of lengthy legal proceedings, which would demand energy and money over a period of years.

“This agreement allows AB to exert its energy and financial means towards high-speed train projects with other customers, while the NS can close the case and completely focus on its business activities.”

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