By the end of the 1920's the DMU's had been developed so far that people began to see them as a possible replacement for steam trains. In the 1930's Germany got its high-speed train "Fliegende Hamburger". It was tested in January 1933, and the average speed was up to 120 km/h between Berlin and Hamburg. Denmark had by then already built the MP- and the MO-trains.  Continuing to build on the experiences with these trains DSB ordered 4 high-speed trains ("Lyntog"), so that the journey time from Århus to Copenhagen could be brought down to 4½ hours, thus reducing it by 34 %  (2 hours and 43 minutes). The construction of the bridge across the Little Belt was also vital in this achievement. The train was to consist of two motor cars and a middle car. Two years later in 1937 DSB had another 4 high-speed trains delivered, this time consisting of two motor cars and two middle cars. The last remaining 3 of this type of high-speed train were scrapped in 1973.

The 2nd generation of the high-speed train was a diesel hydraulic train built in Nuremberg, Germany.  The train had a close resemblance to the German TEE-train, a highly reliable train with high passenger comfort. The idea was to have the train driving across borders in different European countries, but this plan was never carried out. The train had a maximum speed of 160 km/h and during a test run even made it to 180 km/h. The train was very popular to begin with, but later on some problems revealed themselves and it took almost a year for DSB's technical personnel to resolve the difficulties. DSB purchased 11 motor cars, 10 driving trailers for push-pull operations, 21 middle cars (1st and 2nd Class). The new trains could thus be coupled in various different combinations, but the standard was to use two four-car trains at a time.

From 1983 to 1984 the MA high-speed trains were thoroughly renovated. All the seats had their fabric replaced with new blue and red colours. Externally the livery was changed to silver with the letters "DSB" in red across the side of the train. Because of this new  appearance the trains were nicknamed "Silver arrow" or "Tinfoil express".