Koploper (ICM 4011)

Object number 74697

Specifications

Object number
74697
Date
1983
Manufacturer
Talbot, Aken (D)
Speed
160km/h
Company
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)

Due to the construction of the Schiphol Line, a desired increase in the maximum speed to 160 km/h, and the looming shortage of rolling stock, NS wanted to purchase new intercity trains in 1974. A completely new concept was chosen: the Koploper. The first prototypes appeared on the tracks in 1977, and in 1983, trainset 4011 was the first of the series-produced Koplopers. They were the successors to the Hondekop (Mat’ 54), which continued to operate intercity services until the mid-1990s.

'Doorloopkop'

The name is based on the so-called doorloopkop (walk-through head). Beneath the raised driver’s cab was a passageway where passengers and staff could walk to the other train set via a retractable chute. Consequently, there were doors in the nose of the train. However, in 2005, NS decommissioned the walk-through heads. They were prone to breakdowns and wear and tear; moreover, many passengers found the dark and narrow passage a bit scary. They were rarely used. During the modernization of the Koplopers, the walk-through heads were taken out of service, and the two nose doors were replaced by a lightweight polyester panel. The 4011 is preserved by the museum in this state.

Design

The design of this train incorporated several new concepts. The trainsets are equipped with a large balcony with space for wheelchairs. Contrary to what is customary for Intercity rolling stock, the Koploper does not have a restored section. There is a small kitchenette for making coffee and tea. One header carriage powers all four axles. In addition to disc brakes, the trainset is equipped with a block brake to allow for faster deceleration. The entire trainset features automatically closing doors that remain locked during the journey and contains three toilets. The train is designed for a maximum speed of 160 km/h.

Career

Trainset 4011 rolled out of the Talbot workshop in Aachen on December 14, 1983. Immediately afterwards, the trainset was transferred to the climate chamber in Vienna, where the train was extensively tested for its reliability under extreme climatic conditions. The train passed with flying colours at the time. The 4011 had an interesting career during its forty-year existence. Between 1986 and 2002, the Koplopers were regularly adorned with full livery. This began as an idea by NS to enhance the opening of the Schiphol line by giving the trains the same paint scheme as airplanes. It came in handy that the Koploper’s design bared some resemblance to a Boeing 747. The 4011 was decked out in KLM colours, the 4012 in Martinair colours. Later, the 4011 ran for a while in Aegon colours.