NS Intercity Materieel

An unrefurbished ICM at Veluwe

4005 in Utrecht

The Intercity Materieel or ICM (English - Intercity Material) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands. The prototypes were built in 1977 and production lasted from 1983 to 1994 by Talbot.

Names

• Intercity Materieel
• Koploper
• ICM
• Plan Z

General information

The trains are designed for long distance Intercity services. Their maximum speed is 160 km/h. Their cabs are on the roof, which initially allowed through gangways between sets when coupled together, though the gangways were sealed shut during their refurbishment. Refurbishment of sets began in late 2006 and completed in 2011. The trains have compartments in the 1st class accommodation.

Subseries

ICM-0

In 1977, a prototype batch numbered 4001 - 4007 was delivered. They first operated between Eindhoven and Venlo and then later between Amsterdam and Nijmegen. These were taken out of service in 2003, as the NS found them to be too expensive to keep running.

ICM-1 and ICM-2

These were numbered 4011 - 4097 and started being introduced into service in 1983. All were delivered by 1990. These had been adjusted to remove the faults of the ICM-0. 4051 - 4097 are Thyristor controlled.

ICM-3 and ICM-4

Between 1990 and 1994, 50 4-car units were delivered, numbered 4201 - 4250. These have track brakes. Between 1996 and 2007, unit 4231 had a full coach converted to 1st class and was renumbered 4444. This unit only operated one train a day between Groningen and The Hague. It has since been converted back to normal, but it still carried number 4444. After its revision in 2011 this unit was given its original number (4231) back.

Through gangway

The through gangway in operation

The train's name of Koploper translates as head walker (i.e. walking through the head). When ICM units joined together, the doors at the end of the train would open out and a walkway would emerge, coupling with the other set and allowing passengers to walk through to the next set. However, since 31 October 2005 these were put out of use. The reason given was that they were not 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 sealed shut, saving the NS €200,000 p.a.

Refurbishment and modernisation

4012 at Apeldoorn

From November 2006, the Koploper has been going through a process of refurbishment. This began with the 4011 - 4097 series. The first train left NedTrain's work place in Haarlem in April 2007 and was put into service. These sets feature new interiors with 13% more seats. There is now also a clear difference between 1st and 2nd Class. The first class has red seats and the second class has blue seats, just like in the SGMm units. There is now also a better wheelchair toilet, air conditioning and digital travel information. On the outside, the sets have received a new coat of paint, with the blue window surrounds curving at the ends of units. Numbers are now nearer the front of the train. The gangways are also sealed and digital destination screens are at the ends of trains. The modernisation of the series 4011 - 4097 finished in June 2010. In February 2010 the first 4-car unit began modernisation. This modernisation finished in July 2011.

Adverts

4028 at Zwolle

Olympic livery

Between 1986 and 2002 many sets featured adverts.

• In 1986, in relation to the opening of the Amsterdam - Schiphol railway line, two units were painted in the colours of airplanes. 4011 was painted in KLM colours and 4012 in the colours of Martinair.
• 4011, 4012 an 4024 were painted in the colours of Aegon
• 4050 was painted in the colours of Randstad and later in De Lage Landen colours.
• 4023 advertised the Groningen Museum, but still in NS colours from 1999. This had white doors at the end of the train, and altered interiors.
• 4028 was put in an advert for the Children's Book Week in 2004
• 4201 and 4241 had the Orange Olympic adverts, such as VIRM 9520 and 9525. This livery was lost when they were refurbished.

Services operated

Gallery

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  Operating area for the 2010 timetable.

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  2nd Class, unrefurbished interior of 4020.

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  2nd Class interior of 4023, unique design for special livery carried (see Adverts).

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  1st Class, unrefurbished interior of 4205.

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  1st Class interior of special unit 4444.

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  1st Class, refurbished interior of 4011.

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  2nd Class, refurbished interior.

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  Refurbished 4012.

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  Olympic set at Pijnacker (Now RandstadRail station)

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  Difference in cab ends (Unrefurbished left, refurbished right.)

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  Unrefurbished sets passing through Arnhem Velperpoort in 2007.

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  Refurbished sets 4011 and 4012 at Zwolle.

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  Unrefurbished set at Duivendrecht (Lower Level).

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  Unrefurbished set 4085 approaching Deventer from Zwolle.

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  Unrefurbished set at Platform 1 of Amsterdam Centraal

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  ICM with Aegon advert at Apeldoorn