| Series | DM90 | |
| Motor type | Cummins NTA 855 R4 6 cylinder diesel | |
| Traction | Hydraulic (Voith T211rzze) | |
| Power | 320kW (430hp) | |
| Axle formation | Bo-2 + 2-Bo | |
| Wheel diameter | 920 mm | |
| Length of train set | 52.34 m | |
| Maximum speed | 140 km/h | |
| Weight of train set | 95.2 ton | |
| Number built | 53 | |
| Built by | Talbot and DÜWAG | |
| Jaar entered service | 1996-1998 |
As a replacement for the old (and rebuilt) diesel trainsets Plan X-v (class 161-186), the NS chose to order new, quite luxurious trainsets with a high maximum speed (for diesel trains) of 140km/h. These new trainsets have now replaced most of the Plan U's.
The new DMUs are based on the electric trainsets of class 2100 (SM'90), but a diesel-hydraulic transmission was chosen instead of diesel-electric. The body is still very similar to the class 2100, except for the face which is a new design. Because of this face the train got its official name "Buffel" which means "Buffalo".
The trainsets were built by DÜWAG in Germany, the construction of the body and interior took place at the Talbot factories in Aachen (also Germany), the "main supplier" of Dutch trainsets. The motors (two 6-cylinder per trainset) are from Cummins, they are an uprated version of the motors used in class 3100/3200 "Wadloper".
The first line to operate the DM'90 was Arnhem-Winterswijk. After many problems, both with the trains and with the new signalling (needed because of the low weight and smooth ride of the trains), the trains are now used in regular service without too many disturbances. The same happened again when new trainsets were introduced on Nijmegen-Venlo-Roermond in June 1997, but the problems are under control now. Also the Zwolle-Kampen line now operates these units, and Zwolle-Enschede followed in spring 1999. Some units are used on Groningen-Leeuwarden for the new rush hour express trains introduced in spring 1998 (now operated by Noordned).
After a long period of debate and testing, the trainsets finally got approved by the German authorities, and the class 3400 replaced the last trainsets Plan X-v in service for NS.
During 2001 the last lines operated with old DMUs Plan U (Apeldoorn-Zutphen, Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal and Arnhem-Tiel) were equipped with new automated train protection, and class DM'90 replaced the last old trainsets.
From May 1999, new private operator Syntus took over the Doetinchem- Winterswijk part of the Arnhem-Winterswijk NS line. For this service they hired four DM'90 trainsets. Four more were hired from NS when Syntus also took over the operation on Arnhem-Doetinchem in 2001, but these will return to NS when addtional "Lint" DMUs are delivered.
From May 1999 Noordned operated the Leeuwarden-Groningen service on behalf of NS. One year later they took over the operation of the entire line. For this they also hired four DM'90 trainsets from NS.
The NS Buffel is available in 4 colour schemes as part of the same download:
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NS Buffel | This is the familiar yellow and blue colour scheme. |  |
NS Buffel / Syntus | The Buffel, painted with the Syntus logos. |
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NS Buffel / NoordNed | The Buffel, painted with the NoordNed logos. |  |
NS Buffel / NoordNed B | The Buffel, painted in the NoordNed 'B' colours. |
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NS Buffel / Graffiti | The Buffel, defaced with graffiti. | |||
| Cabview | Passenger view | ||||
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