Netherlands: The unique Intercity Materieel (ICM) 'Koploper' EMUs

A selection of clips showing the unique Intercity Materieel (ICM) "Koploper" EMUs working passenger services in the Netherlands.

Clip 1 - ICM unit numbers 4088 & 4218 leaving Almelo station working train IC1664, the 1716 Enschede to Hilversum. Clip recorded 30th ‎September 2018.

Clip 2 - A 12 coach train formed of four 3 car units in multiple arrive at Utrecht Centraal during the morning rush hour. Clip recorded 1st October 2018.

Clip 3 - ICM unit numbers 4240 & 4077 leave Deventer station working train IC3645, the 1150 Zwolle to Roosendaal. Clip recorded 1st October 2018.

The Intercity Materieel or ICM (English – Intercity Material or Intercity Rolling Stock) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands. The train got the nickname Koploper, because it had a so-called "walk through head". After these trains were modernized, the "walk through heads" were removed. The modernized train sets are referred to as Intercity Materieel Modern (ICMm).

The prototypes were built in 1977, and production lasted from 1983 to 1994 by Talbot. The first train sets came into service in 1977. Up to now, the trains run daily on the Dutch rail network and, together with the VIRM, form the most important equipment on services connecting the Randstad with the rest of the country.

The trains are designed for long-distance intercity services. Their maximum allowed operating speed is 140 km/h, although their engines are designed to reach a top speed of 180 km/h. Their cabs are on the roof, which initially allowed through gangways between sets when coupled together, though the gangways were sealed during their refurbishment. Refurbishment of sets began in late 2006 and completed in 2011. The trains have compartments in the 1st class accommodation.

The train's name Koploper means "Frontrunner" but the name can also be seen as a reference to "walking through the head" ("Headwalker"(Dutch: "Doorloopkop")). When ICM units joined, the doors at the end of the train would come out, and a walkway would emerge, coupling with the other set and allowing passengers and crew to walk through to the next set. (This makes it easy for conductors to check tickets and check on the security of the passengers. In addition, each set had catering cars before they were abolished in 2003.) However, since 31 October 2005, these were put out of use. The reason given was that they were not often used, but they also had many technical problems that made the trains late on a regular basis. During their refurbishment from 2006 onwards, these hallways were permanently sealed shut and the doors at the heads of the train were replaced by a light polyester plate, saving the NS maintenance costs.

From November 2006, the Koploper went through a process of refurbishment. The 4011–4097 series first went into a renovation. The first train left NedTrain's workshop in Haarlem in April 2007 and then put into the regular service. To distinguish the not yet modernized sets from the modernized sets, modernized train sets are referred to as ICMm. These sets feature new interiors with 13% more seats. One could distinguish apparent differences between 1st and 2nd Class. The first class consists of red seats and second class consists of blue seats, equal to SGMm units. Meanwhile, one improved the wheelchair toilet, installed air conditioning, OBIS, and digital travel information. On the exterior, the train sets were repainted showing blue window surrounds curving at the ends of units. Numbers are now nearer the front of the train. The connectors diverting the train compartments were revealed and digital destination screens were put at the trains ends. The renewal of the series 4011–4097 completed in June 2010. Refurbishing and renewing of the 4-car units took place between February 2010 and July 2011.
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Almelo is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands. The main population centres in the town are Aadorp, Almelo, Mariaparochie, and Bornerbroek.

Located in the city centre is Huize Almelo, a castle that in its current form dates back to 1662 (This castle is not open to the public).
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Utrecht is the fourth-largest city and a municipality of the Netherlands, capital and most populous city of the province of Utrecht.

Utrecht's ancient city centre features many buildings and structures several dating as far back as the High Middle Ages.
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Deventer is a city and municipality in the Salland region of the province of Overijssel, Netherlands.
The Deventer honey cake (Bussink Deventer Koek), is still made locally and sold all over the Netherlands and beyond.
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[GNTel]

Thanks for posting these beautiful trains. I love 'em :-)

[SuperClotted]

These remind me of the Robocop ED-209, love them