It was first designed to be used for passenger transport in the 2008 Olympics, and has become a mature technology platform with export orders to Nigeria despite initial flaws related to overheating of electrical cables in the power car.

To fulfil the need for passenger transport between Beijing and Badaling during the 2008 Summer Olympics,[1] the Ministry of Railways ordered four NDJ3 DMU trains,[2] with the numbering NDJ3 0001-0004.

These sets was the first diesel multiple units designed in China with the ability to negotiate ≥33‰ gradient and a curve of 180 m (590 ft 7 in), optimised for the steeper gradient of the S2 line, although this gearing for steeper lines also reduced the maximum speed from 180 to 160 km/h (112 to 99 mph), although they could be easily geared for higher speeds.

[2] The Qishuyan designed locomotives are fitted with a diesel-electric drive, generating AC which is then converted to DC for the traction motors.

It was due to the design where the cable carries the power for both the Eddy current brake and the magnetic excitation for the 4th traction motor.

These sets differ with a lower speed at 150 km/h (93 mph), USB charging and have an additional trailer with wheelchair parking, compared to the second series of NDJ3 delivered to Beijing.