NS VIRM
| Company type | Electric multiple unit train fleet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | DD-IRM (DubbelDeks InterRegio Materieel) |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
Area served | Netherlands |
| Products | Double-decker electric multiple unit trains |
| Owner | Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) |
| Parent | Nederlandse Spoorwegen |
VIRM trains, an acronym for Verlengd InterRegio Materieel (Extended interregional rolling stock), represent a fleet of double-decker electric multiple units (EMUs) managed by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the primary railway company in the Netherlands. NS's inventory includes 178 VIRM trainsets, consisting of 98 four-car and 80 six-car configurations. These trains, primarily constructed between 1994 and 2009 by Talbot (a Bombardier Inc. subsidiary) and partially by De Dietrich Ferroviaire, operate on interregional lines.
The VIRM fleet evolved from the earlier DD-IRM (DubbelDeks InterRegio Materieel) series. The first 81 VIRM units were created by extending existing DD-IRM sets—transforming three-car sets into four-car sets and four-car sets into six-car sets—thereby increasing passenger capacity and operational versatility.
Names
- VIRM (Verlengd InterRegio Materieel)
- DD-IRM (Dubbeldeksinterregiomaterieel)
- Regiorunner (express service, never implemented)
First generation
Between 1994 and 1996, the initial batch of DD-IRM trains was delivered in both three- and four-car formations. The three-car units carried numbers in the 82xx range, while four-car units were assigned numbers in the 84xx series. This first group comprised 290 double-deck coaches; the initial 47 were produced by De Dietrich, with Talbot manufacturing the remainder.
Although each coach has a unique identifier, they function collectively as a set with a shared number—for instance, set 8201 includes coach number 380 8001. Sets are never simultaneously assigned both short and long trainset numbers (e.g., 8201 and 8401).
In 2000, NS initiated modifications: three-car units were lengthened to four cars, and four-car units expanded to six cars, resulting in the VIRM classification ("V" denoting verlengd or extended). These upgraded trains were renumbered within the 94xx and 86xx series, with refurbishment completed between 2001 and 2005.
Second and third generation
While first-generation units were being refurbished, NS commissioned new second- and third-generation trainsets in four- and six-car formats. These newly built sets received numbers in the 95xx series for four-car trains and the 87xx series for six-car trains. They incorporated improved seating arrangements that were later retrofitted into earlier models.
Fourth generation
From June 2008 onward, all fourth-generation deliveries consisted exclusively of four-car trainsets numbered between 9547 and 9597. These models eliminated the catering lift to allow for broader staircases and replaced internal destination screens with enhanced travel information displays.
Refurbishment
Beginning in 2015, first-generation VIRM-1 units underwent interior renovations inspired by DDZ trainsets, along with updated exterior liveries; these refurbished models are referred to as VIRMm1. In 2021, NS started upgrading second- and third-generation trains with redesigned interiors featuring USB charging ports in both classes and "love seats" on balcony sections. These trains also received NS's contemporary "flow" color scheme.
Numbering
| 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) |
- Numbering schemes prevent overlap between short and long trainsets.
- Additional spare carbodies are maintained for fleet replacements.
Varied Liveries
- 8707 – Briefly showcased advertisements for Lekker lezen boven in de trein (Enjoy reading upstairs on the train) during 2016; subsequently removed due to fire safety regulations.
- 8733 – Bore promotional graphics celebrating its status as the 300th VIRM set produced; this paint scheme is no longer in use.
- 8741 – Served as the prototype for the midlife upgrade of the VIRM-2/3 series.
- 9411 – Functioned as the prototype for the midlife refurbishment of the VIRM-1 series.
- 9514 – Displayed adverts for Lekker lezen in de trein (Comfortable reading on the train).
- 9520 – Painted in an orange and blue scheme commemorating Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard's abdication.
- 9522 – Featured a white and magenta livery promoting the OV-Chipkaart.
- 9524 – Showcased advertisements for Mamma Mia, The Lion King, and the OV-chipkaart, with a white/magenta design similar to unit 9522.
- 9525 – Presented adverts highlighting the NS/Olympic collaboration.
- 9556 – Known as the "Groene trein" (Green train), it has a blue and yellow dotted central section that visually blends into green, endorsing NS's partnership with Eneco. This design was created by students from Delft University of Technology.
The Green Train
By 2015, NS set a goal for half of its trains to operate using wind-generated electricity, aiming to achieve complete reliance on renewable power by 2018. To celebrate this milestone alongside the 175th anniversary of Dutch railways, NS and Eneco organized a design competition.
The winning concept, developed by Delft students Michiel van Sinderen and Steffen de Jonge, features a checkerboard pattern of black and blue squares that appear green from afar. This design was applied to VIRM unit 9556, dubbed De Groene Trein. It includes a lighter yellow tone and white directional arrows on doors, similar to those found on DDZ trains and upgraded ICRm coaches.
The train was officially introduced on September 20, 2014, with its inaugural journey between Amsterdam Centraal and Haarlem. Since then, it has been deployed across routes throughout the Netherlands.
Routes Served
The VIRM series functions as the main intercity rolling stock throughout much of NS’s network.
| Series | Service type | Route | Train model | Remarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800 | Intercity | Den Helder - Den Helder Zuid - Anna Paulowna - Schagen – Heerhugowaard – Alkmaar Noord – Alkmaar – Castricum – Zaandam – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Amstel – Utrecht Centraal – 's-Hertogenbosch – Eindhoven – Weert – Roermond – Sittard – Maastricht | VIRM | Operates Monday through Thursday towards Den Helder during peak hours; off-peak service runs between Alkmaar and Maastricht | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1400 | Nachtnet | Utrecht Centraal – Amsterdam Centraal – Schiphol Airport – Leiden Centraal – Den Haag HS – Delft – Rotterdam Centraal | VIRM, ICM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2100 | Intercity | Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Haarlem – Heemstede-Aerdenhout – Leiden Centraal – Den Haag Centraal | VIRM | Runs until 10:00 pm on weekdays and after 11:30 am on Sundays. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2200 | Intercity | Vlissingen - Vlissingen Souburg – Middelburg – Arnemuiden – Goes – Kapelle-Biezelinge – Kruiningen-Yerseke – Krabbendijke – Rilland-Bath – Bergen op Zoom – Roosendaal – Dordrecht – Rotterdam Blaak - Rotterdam Centraal – Schiedam Centrum – Delft - Den Haag HS - Den Haag Laan van NOI - Leiden Centraal - Heemstede-Aerdenhout - Haarlem – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Centraal |
- |
2400 | Intercity | Lelystad Centrum - Almere Buiten - Almere Centrum - Duivendrecht – Amsterdam Zuid - Schiphol Airport – Leiden Centraal - Den Haag Laan van NOI - Den Haag HS - Delft - Schiedam Centrum – Rotterdam Centraal – Rotterdam Blaak - Dordrecht | Operates until 10:00 pm on weekdays and after 11:30 am on Sundays; no stops at Lelystad Centrum or Duivendrecht during Sundays and evenings post-8:00 pm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3000 | Intercity | Den Helder – Den Helder Zuid – Anna Paulowna – Schagen – Heerhugowaard – Alkmaar Noord – Alkmaar – Heiloo – Castricum – Zaandam – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Central – Amsterdam Amstel – Utrecht Central (– Driebergen-Zeist)- Veenendaal-De Klomp – Ede-Wageningen – Arnhem Central – Nijmegen | VIRM | Stops at Driebergen-Zeist only after 9:00 pm on weekdays and until 11:30 am on Sundays. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3100 | Intercity | Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam South – Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA – Utrecht Central – Driebergen-Zeist – Ede-Wageningen – Arnhem Central – Nijmegen |
Runs until 9:00 pm on weekdays and after 11:30 am on Sundays. |
- |
3500 | Intercity | Schiphol Airport Railway Station Schiphol Airport -[[
Amsterdam South Railways ]]-[[ Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA Railways ]]-[[ Utrecht Central Railways ]]-[[ 's-Hertogenbosch Railways ]]-[[ Eindhoven Railways ]]-[[ Weert Railways ]]-[[ Roermond Railways ]]-[[ Sittard Railways ]]-[[ Heerlen Railways ]] |
Disconnects at Eindhoven with train number 13500 bound for Venlo; after 9:30 pm operates only between Schiphol and Utrecht. |
- |
3600 | Intercity |
Zwolle- Deventer- Zutphen- Dieren- Arnhem- Nijmegen- Oss- 's-Hertogenbosch- Tilburg- Breda- Etten-Leur- Roosendaal |
VIRM, DDZ |
- - |
3900 |
Intercity |
Amsterdam Central- Amsterdam Amstel- Utrecht Central- 's-Hertogenbosch- Eindhoven |
VIRM |
Service available only on Wednesdays; continues as train number 14500 towards Enkhuizen during peak periods. |
- - |
13500 |
Intercity |
Eindhoven- Helmond- Deurne- Horst-Sevenum- Blerick- Venlo |
VIRM |
Connects or disconnects with train number 3500 at Eindhoven. |
- - |
21400 |
Nachtnet |
Rotterdam Central- Dordrecht- Breda- Tilburg- Eindhoven/ Utrecht Central-'s-Hertogenbosch-Eindhoven |
VIRM |
Runs exclusively Friday and Saturday nights. |
Accidents and incidents
- On 21 April 2012, unit 8711 was involved in a head-on collision near the station during the 2012 Sloterdijk train accident.
- A VIRM train collided with a lorry at a level crossing in Wouw on 28 April 2017, which led to the derailment of the train.
- In July 2017, a VIRM unit was involved in a collision with a lorry within Heiloo Forest.
- Unit 9405 struck a crane blocking the track at on 4 April 2023, causing derailment and resulting in one fatality.