The UNIQUE Dutch 'Koploper' Train Review - Rotterdam to Amersfoort

Hello, and welcome back to another video, where today we are going to be taking a ride on the Netherlands' unique and strange train - the NS ICM or 'Koploper' to use its nickname.

I'll be showing the Second Class experience on a short ride from Rotterdam to Amersfoort on this strangely shaped unit, on the Dutch Railways' national operator - Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).

Enjoy!

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Journey Details:
Origin: Rotterdam Centraal
Destination: Amersfoort Centraal
Company: Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
Train: NS ICM (Intercity Materieel) 'Koploper'
Accommodation: Second Class Seat (2nd)
Distance: 48 miles / 77 kilometres
Price: €15.50 (£13.10 / $16.30)
Time: 57m - 1E

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Find me elsewhere:

[m.vanveen]

During my 23 years working on the train as conductor, which is NOT the driver (we call him / her machinist) I've worked many times on the "Koploper". The intern name at the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen or Dutch Railways) for the Koploper was ICM or Intercity Materieel. One could walk trough the connection underneat the coupled cabins to go to the other part of the train. The 2127 was the train consisting of koplopers from Amsterdam to Vlissingen, which crashed on 30 november 1992 in Hoofddorp, just after Schiphol, resulting in five deads and more than 30 wounded. I was conductor of that train. It almost ended my career as conductor. Took me four years to become my same old laughing self again.

[Kj_Gamer]

I like how he’s talking about this train like it’s an international 10 hour trip “get there on time before the trains departure”, “unfortunately no catering onboard”

[KootFloris]

If you mention Dutch railways, talk about the colours. Scientists took a while to get a yellow paint that would still look quite good even when dirty. I love how our trains stand out in the landscape.

[FrankHeuvelman]

I can appreciate your efforts to try to pronounce Dutch words as good as possibly.
It sets you apart in a good way.

[nibuanad]

Regular ICM commuter here, nice to see you reviewing this good ol' Koploper! The seats indeed look a bit cracked up but I personally still find them to be more comfortable than the better-looking seats on other conventional intercity rolling stock (VIRM and DDZ). Graffiti is indeed a huge problem on these trains, especially on the toilets. But I've never in my life encountered the broken trashbin you showed, so I guess you got unlucky there ;)

Looking forward to more trip reports from the Benelux!

[insertname]

4:38, i'd like to point out that it isn't a "cup holder bracket" it's a Paper clamp. the design in as stated from the 1970's after catering had been removed from railway service, back then it was verry common for people to do paper work on transport.

[RoloFilms]

You shouldn't look into this specific service from the eyes of a tourist, but rather the eyes of the frequent user.
The Dutch Railways, unlike many other countries, is mainly used by frequent daily travelers, thus pricing for those travelers is much different from infrequent users.

It's really easy to get 40% off your ticket for example if you get a 50 euro a year discount card. You can also get cheap all-year subscriptions and there are many other ways to pay less than what you did. As long as you know the system. :)


Besides that, the state of the train is so poor because these are old trains that are slowly being replaced. I do think the NS isn't investing much into these trains anymore when it comes to keeping the interior nice.

[RenatoLaporte]

It’s interesting to see the use if the NS trains from the perspective of a more “touristy” use.

Things like the price, the comfort or not being able to reserve a seat, are things we mostly don’t notice, since the train is for many just a mean of commuting.

Actually over seat reservations, when the NS decided to introduce the Fyra and cut the Intercity Brussels service, Dutch and Belgium users alike where complaining that the new service would require seat and time reservations, I guess we are okay of giving up some things for the flexibility of just showing up at the station and taking the best next connection.

[hennavanopstal]

I am very proud of the NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, I love the train, I worked for 41 years at this company, not 1 day a dull moment. I do hope that good people in charge will take good care of its workers.

[edwardvd]

The price of 15, 50 euro is valid for all hours, also in peak hours. With a card costing 60 euro for a year you can get 40% reduction on all non-peak traveling. This ride would be 9, 30 euro than, which is more reasonable.

[baklap]

This brings back some memories when I worked at these trains, it was a real joy to help build them.
I did all kind of electric work in and outside these trains.
Things like putting the steering table in, put lamps on it, put in the ac and test it, cabin lights, the screens in all the cabins, test the door system, do test rides etc etc.
Unfortunately I dont work there anymore but learned a lot there.

[Hollandstation]

wow. as a Dutch transport Youtuber myself I must say you made a great video! I can hear you did your research! also it's a little bit weird because I travel almost daily on these trains myself. most people in the netherlands say it's the most comfortable train so It's sad that these trains will probably taken out of service before 2026

[r.kauffie]

I once got a chanche to visit the cockpit of the ‘Koploper’ when I was young. The view in the cockpit was pretty amazing, because it was very high.

[t-go]

for me those 2nd class seats in the "koploper" are the best you will find in the netherlands, because most seats in busses or "sprinters" for example feel like an piece of wood with some fabric on top. So in my opinion those are very nice seats

[starbase]

“With landscapes like this, it’s no surprise that the Dutch love cycling”

There is a _lot_ more to it. In fact the landscape has almost nothing to do with it. In the 1970s we were headed for car-oriented infrastructure just as many other countries were. But there were safety issues and so people started protesting. Nowadays we just have excellent infrastructure that aims to prioritize all modes of transport equally. If you want more information, there’s an excellent channel called “Not Just Bikes”.

[jesse]

5:47 I take the train a lot, but my usual route has a different carriage design. Sometimes I have to take this train style, and the first time I did so I hit my knee hard on that bin when I got in... It's positioning is so terrible...

Also I love how you document this trip and think it's really special, even reviewing the station! For me its just daily life so I just hurry up to catch my train, get in and read a book or continue some work on my laptop. The ticketing system is really great, as a citizen you can get your personal OV-chipkaart, make sure you get the best deal on your daily route and use this one card for all the trains and busses there are. You can also connect your bank account, so you don't have to put money on it manually! And yea for a one-time ticket its really expensive, but there are better deals available for frequent users, and for students its free!

[mikajung]

as a train driver to be (currently studying for it in Rotterdam itself) ICM is my favorite type as it's just so sweet on the brakes and the decent acceleration, the height is amazing you look down on so many things you wouldn't be able to see in other types of trains. as a passenger it's one of if not the most comfortable trainsets together with the icr coaches (basicaly the pulled version of the icm midcar) a tip if you wanna hear the sound of the traction motors really well you have to sit on the motor car (with the pantographs) and the 2nd seat from the rear of the car

[moladiver]

The Koploper is definitely my all time favorite. I loved taking it to college. I do miss the old orange double leather seats though. They made travelling even more comfortable and a lot classier.

[reaperx]

It's a shame about the state of the train. The vandalism really is reprehensible. That being said, another great review. In fact, for me, the best yet.

[Rudy]

My favourite train for the longer trips. So sad that recently the first units of this realible type have been taken out of service after a long active life. My compliments for your research and the pronunciation of the Dutch names