Commencing in 1964 the Deutsche Bundesbahn DB (German Federal Railways) ordered 407 units in total of a four-axle diesel hydraulic locomotive class V90 for replacing older steam locomotives employed for heavy shunting. This diesel hydraulic drive system is based on the well proven components of the class V 100, whereas chassis, bogies and superstructure were adapted to the specific requirements in shunting duty. Thus the locomotives were designed with spacious platforms at either end providing a safe area for the shunting personnel. The 12-cylinder diesel engine type MB 835 A has been set to generate 1100 HP at 1400 rev/min and accelerated the V90 to 80 km/h. In terms of the exterior appearance two types of the V90 must be differentiated: 118 units are equipped with a cooling plant in the long nose featuring two fans, 392 units with a single fan only.  The MaK locomotive plant installed three locomotives with their own diesel engines running at medium revs, which were classified as V90 901 through 903 by the DB. Ultimately this resulted in the procurement of the class 291, which  was always stationed in northern Germany. In 1968 the V90s were renumbered to class 290 and are still known for their high operational availability, which is due to them being equipped with well proven components. This is true despite the fact that these locomotives are employed for heavy duty shunting and local delivery services. With their short distance freight trains and local delivery runs these locomotives are at home in extensive industrial plants and shunting yards as well as on main lines. Since the German reunification in 1989, 290 units have also been in service in the new provinces of Germany. Commencing in the 1980-ies, part of this series has been equipped with radio remote control and the automatic coupler RK900. These locomotives have been classified as series 294 as from the mid 1990-ies. After most units have been in service for more than 40 years, the DB started replacing the worn out power plants with modern MTU 8-cylinder diesel engines and also replaced several ancillary components. This led to modifications of the exterior and thus the class 290 fans regret that the characteristic sound of the V90 has fallen by the wayside. Some 290/294 units kept their original MTU diesel engine for an extended period.

• Metal housing and chassis, plastic cab

•  Open fan grills in the long nose

• Multi-colour driver’s cab with driver

• Multi-part bogie frames with separately applied springs

• Separately applied grab irons and shunter’s steps

• Coreless motor with two flywheels

• Drive via Cardan shaft/worm gear to four axles, four traction tires

• LokSound V4.0 M4 decoder for DCC, Motorola®, M4 and Selectrix mode

• Automatic registration to command stations supporting RailComPlus® or mfx® functionality

• PowerPack storage capacitor for uninterrupted power supply

• Quality speaker with large sound capsule for best possible sound

• Load dependent smoke generator, synchronised with LokSound

• Remote controlled digital couplers at both ends with kinematics and NEM shaft

• Digitalised original sound sequences of a locomotive with a 12-cylinder engine, type MB 835 A

• Curve sensor for squealing wheels when moving slowly through curves

• Directional lighting,  headlights can be turned off when train is coupled to loco, separately switched shunting lights, cab lighting and illuminated driver’s console

• Pipette for refilling smoke generator, two non-magnetic couplers for installation on cars are included

•  Minimum radius = 360 mm

• Length over buffers = 164.6 mm