New trains 2025, from the Netherlands

Literally my last package from the Netherlands before the tariffs in the USA started, and the world stopped shipments to the USA.

Previously I purchased two DB-AG coaches to add to my NS Vectron locomotive. This to create a train for my layout that runs between Amsterdam-Berlin vv. Now my model train will consist of the NS Vectron locomotive with three DB-AG coaches, including the Bordbistro coach.

I found it was hard to locate a store that had at least one of the kind of coaches in stock. (there are 8 different types) All the online stores I checked did not have one or did not respond to my email inquiry. So, I placed my search on a hold.

Then a little time later I learned that Piko made a model train of the QBUZZ GTW (GelenkTriebwagen) which is an electric multiple unit from Stadler Rail. This is one of the trains that run on the line between Dordrecht-Geldermalsen vv. The destination printed on the train is Dordrecht. Since I am born and lived in the city of Dordrecht for some years before moving to the USA, I really wanted to add this train to my collection, and have it run on my layout.

Well initially it was not easy finding these two models in stock, until I checked the website of “Meijer en Blessing“.

Meijer en Blessing is a specialized model hobby shop that has been around for many years, and I used to visit this store since the 1980’s, when they were still located in “de Lijnbaan” in Rotterdam. Anyway, I placed my mail order, and they shipped it on August 22, 2025. Now this happend to be the very last day before the Dutch postal service “PostNL” decided to stop all shipments to the USA because of unknown tariffs regulations and collections of the tariffs. Other European postal services, both government and private shippers, followed suit if they have not done so already. I was following the track and trace like a hawk. My package made it to the USA literally hours before they closed the border so to speak. Once it was on the plane from Amsterdam to New York I was feeling better, than I got a little nervous while it was waiting in New York to be cleared by US Customs, but the US was not going to start the tariffs until august 29.