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| NS Class 8600/8700/9400/9500 | |
|---|---|
_(2).jpg) A 4-unit VIRM EMU nearVenlo. | |
.jpg) Refurbished second class interior (first series). | |
| Stock type | Electric multiple unit |
| In service | 1994–present |
| Manufacturer | Talbot, part ofBombardier Inc. |
| Number built | 178 sets |
| Formation | 6 cars (8600/8700) 4 cars (9400/9500) |
| Capacity | 8600/8700 – 129 (1st), 442 (2nd) 9400/9500 – 61 (1st), 330 (2nd) |
| Operators | NS Reizigers |
| Specifications | |
| Width | 3020 mm[1] |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Traction system | |
| Power output | 2,388 kW (3,202 hp) (8600/8700) 1,592 kW (2,135 hp) (9400/9500) |
| Electric system(s) | 1.5kVDCCatenary; all units have extra space for equipment to operate on25 kV AC Catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge |
VIRM trains, full nameVerlengd InterRegio Materieel (transl. Lengthened interregional rolling stock), are a series ofelectric multiple unit (EMU)double-deck trains operated byNederlandse Spoorwegen orNS (Dutch Railways), the principalrailway operator in the Netherlands. NS has 178 of these double-deckers – 98 four-carriage sets, and 80 six-carriage sets. The trains were built between 1994 and 2009 – for the most part byTalbot, part ofBombardier Inc., with some railcars built byDe Dietrich.
The VIRM trains evolved out of the previously existingDD-IRM series (DubbelDeks InterRegio Materieel orDouble-deck interregional rolling stock). The first batch of 81 VIRM trains was created by lengthening all the existing DD-IRM combinations by one or two railcars. Three-unit trainsets were augmented by one carriage to transform them into a four-unit VIRM, and the four-unit sets received two more carriages, to create six-unit VIRM trains.
The first generation of DD-IRM were delivered from 1994 to 1996 as three and four car units. The three car units were delivered in the 82xx class and the four car units delivered as 84xx. The first batch of 290 double deck coaches (individual) were delivered. The first 47 were built by De Dietrich and from then on by Talbot.
As the coaches were individual but would run as a unit, they are individually numbered. Collectively they have a set number e.g., 8201, having coach number 380 8001. However, there are no double numbers, for example there can not be an 8201 and 8401 at the same time.
In 2000 an order was placed for new coaches. The 3 car sets were to be upgraded to 4 car sets, and the four car sets upgraded to 6 car sets. This is why they are now called VIRM (V = verlengd – extended). These were renumbered into the 94xx series and the 86xx series. These sets were formed between 2001 and 2005.
The second and third generation of VIRM were new sets built to the 4 and 6 coach formations, at the same time as the first generation were rebuilt. These were numbered 95xx (4 car units) and 87xx (6 car units). These sets featured different seats, which were also in the new coaches placed inside the first generation sets.
These sets were delivered from June 2008 and these are all 4 car units. They are numbered 9547–9597. These sets differ in that they do not feature the catering lift, meaning the stairs could be wider and the destination screens inside the coaches have disappeared, where instead information screens with travel information have been fitted.
.jpg)
Starting in 2015, the VIRM-1 sets were being refurbished and fitted with new interiors similar to those seen in the DDZ trainsets, and with new-style liveries. These sets are officially referred to asVIRMm1.
In 2021, NS started refurbishing the second and third generations of VIRM trains. The trains were fitted with a brand new interior with some notable changes from the first generation. These include the instalment USB-outlets in both classes and the introduction of "love seats" on the balcony. The trains were also painted in the new "flow" color scheme.[2]
| vehicle type | DD-IRM 1994–96 | VIRM-1 2002– | VIRM-2 2002– | VIRM-3 –2005 | VIRM-4 2008–09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Trainsets Long Trainsets | 8201...8281 (34) 8401...8481 (47) | 9401...9481 (34) 8601...8681 (47) | 9502...9525 (13) 8701...8723 (12) | - 8726–8746 (21) | 9547–9597 (51) - |
| mBvk1/2 290 | 8501–8662 (162) | 8663–8712 (50) | 8713–8754 (42) | 8759–8861 (103) | |
| ABv3/4 380 | 8001–8081 (81) | 8101–8125 (25) | 8126–8146 (21) | 8147–8197 (51) | |
| ABv5 380 | 8201–8247 (47) | 8248–8259 (12) | 8260–8280 (21) | ||
| ABv6 380 | 8301–8381 (81) | 8382–8406 (25) | 8407–8427 (21) | 8428–8478 (51) | |
| mBv7 260 | 8801–8847 (47) | 8848–8859 (12) | 8860–8880 (21) |
By 2015, NS hopes to let 50% of their trains run on electricity powered bywind turbines. By 2018, all the trains should be running on "clean" electricity.[4] To celebrate this and the fact that the first Dutch railway line was opened 175 years ago, NS and Eneco Energy held a competition for designing a green train.
The winners were two students from the Technical University in Delft. Their names are Michiel van Sinderen and Steffen de Jonge. Their design was to have the train be checkered with small black and blue squares. From even a small distance the train appears to be green. Michiel van Sinderen said it was the most beautiful thing he had ever made.[5]This design was brought on VIRM number 9556. It was namedDe Groene Trein which meansThe Green Train. The difference between this train and other VIRMs is the paler shade of yellow and white arrows on the doors, similar to those on DDZ trains and modernized ICRm railway cars.
The train debuted on September 20, 2014. Its maiden voyage was an extra trip fromAmsterdam Centraal toHaarlem. Now it can be spotted and ridden anywhere in the Netherlands.
The VIRM is now the main intercity train and can be seen across most of the NS network.
