NS Class 3400 (DM'90)
An NS Class 3400 at Zutphen
Manufacturer	Talbot
Constructed	1996-1998
Number built	53
Successor	Stadler FLIRT units
Fleet numbers	3401 - 3453 (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) 50-62 (Syntus)
Capacity	12 first class 123 standard class 34 folding seats
Operators	Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Depots	Nedtrain Hengelo
Specifications
Train length	52.340 m (171 ft 8+5⁄8 in)
Width	3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
Height	4.142 m (13 ft 7+1⁄8 in)
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph)
Weight	95.2 t (93.7 long tons; 104.9 short tons)
Prime mover(s)	2 x Cummins NTA 855 R4
Power output	2 x 320 kW (430 hp) = 640 kW (860 hp)
Transmission	Hydraulic (Voith T221 rzze)
UIC classification	2'B' + B'2'
Braking system(s)	<R> O-RA-Mg (D) (?)
Safety system(s)	ATB-NG
Coupling system	Scharfenberg
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The NS Class 3400 was a series of diesel multiple unit which were in service in the Netherlands between 1996 and 2017 and were built by Duewag, Talbot and SIG between 1996 and 1998. They were operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen and between 1999 until 2014 under lease by Syntus. The class is referred to as DM'90 meaning diesel rolling stock (Diesel Materieel in Dutch) of the 1990s or Buffel, which means Buffalo. The DM'90 series was developed alongside the short lived, electric SM'90 ("stopping-train" or commuter rolling stock of the 1990s) series with which it shares the unusual body cross section. Class 3400 were the last DMUs in service with NS, the older DE3 ("Plan U") and DH1/2 ("Wadloper") series having been replaced by the diesel electric Stadler GTW which are still in use with other operators in the Netherlands. Since January 2018, all units are now stored out of service and 32 units have been sold to SKPL - Polish private railway operator, where they are reclassified as SD85.^[1]

History

In 1993, NS ordered 53 units of the class from Talbot, now Bombardier. The electrical systems, train controls, and diagnostic systems were delivered by Holec Ridderkerk, now Alstom. Duewag installed the interiors of the trains in Krefeld, after which the units were transferred to the Netherlands. Unit 3401 was delivered on March 12, 1996, and the last unit, 3453, was brought into service in 1998.

Originally there were intentions to order a follow-up series of the 2-car units, alongside the possible development of a single-car unit, however these were never realised due to the privatisation of many of the diesel-served lines.

The rolling stock was introduced in the end of the 1990s on a large portion of the non-electrified lines in the Netherlands. In the period thereafter many of these routes were transferred to private sector operators, Syntus and several other operators used the sets for their services, others were temporarily used on electrified sectors for local services.

Description

Like the SM'90 ("Railhopper"), the DM'90 uses a non-standard width of 3.2 metres (10 ft 6 in), this was made possible by the distinctly bent side-walls which allowed the cars to be 30 centimetres (11+3⁄4 in) wider than conventional trains while being within the loading gauge. This allowed a 5 abreast seating arrangement, however the trains were eventually delivered with only the standard 4 abreast configuration.

Power is provided by two Cummins (NTA 855 R4) diesel motors, each delivering up to 320 kW (430 hp) of power to the Voith hydraulic transmission, driving the axles on the inner bogies. The bogies were Stork-manufactured RMO 9000 series, also used on the SM'90, and DD-IRM trains.^[2] The top speed was 140 km/h (87 mph), reduced to 100 km/h (62 mph) when running in combination with the older (also diesel-hydraulic) Wadloper series trains.

The combination of disk brakes and quiet operation results that the trains were often poorly detected by axle counters which are commonly found on the lines where the DM'90 operates. Train-protection is provided by ATB-NG. For cross-border operations out of Heerlen, three sets were equipped with the German PZB train protection system along with boarding steps to accommodate the lower platform height.

Between 2008 and 2013, the sets operating between Zwolle and Kampen were provided with passenger information displays showing connection information in Zwolle, as tendered by the province of Overijssel.^[3]

The trains were equipped with heating provided by both engine heat and, when necessary, additional electrical heaters. In depots, the heaters can be powered externally to avoid the need for operating the motors. Air conditioning is only present in the driver cab.

Specific operations

3403 and 3410 were branded for the Zwolle - Kampen service. 3401, 3402, 3404, 3412 and 3414 were branded for the Apeldoorn - Zutphen service.

Previous operations

Operations on these lines transferred from Syntus to Arriva since the start of the public transport timetable 2013.

Details

Syntus details

Gallery

• 
  Interior of the DM '90
• 
  Interior of the DM '90
• 
  A DM '90 hired to Syntus at Winterswijk
• 
  A DM '90 for the Apeldoorn - Zutphen service at Winterswijk for maintenance
• 
  Several DM '90's at Winterswijk
• 
  A DM '90 for the Apeldoorn - Zutphen service approaching Apeldoorn
• 
  A DM '90 at Voorst-Empe
• 
  A DM '90 at Venlo before Veolia took over the service
• 
  A NoordNed DM '90 at Dronrijp
• 
  A NoordNed DM '90 arriving at Franeker
• 
  Routes where DM '90 can commonly be seen
• 
  DM '90 bought by SKPL in Zagórz, Poland

References