KiHa 120 series

KiHa 120 series
Consist led by KiHa 120-334 in June 2021
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	JR West's Gotō Works, Niigata Tekkō
Type of locomotive	Diesel multiple unit
Family name	NDC
Constructed	1991 – 1996
Number built	89 cars
Dimensions	16,300 mm × 2,700 mm × 4,045 mm
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Prime mover	Komatsu SA6D125-H1 or SA6D125-HE1 prime mover
Service information
In service	March 1992 – Present
Formation	Single car
Number in service	88 cars
Fleet numbers	KiHa 120-1 – KiHa 120-22, KiHa 120-201 – KiHa 120-208, KiHa 120-301 – KiHa 120-359
Refurbished	2017 – Present
Scrapped	2020
Preservation information
Preserved	N/A
Number scrapped	1 car (accident damage)

The KiHa 120 series is a low-capacity commuter diesel multiple unit used by the West Japan Railway Company since March 1992, mainly on rural lines.

History

The KiHa 120 series was designed to replace the older KiHa 20, KiHa 35, KiHa 45 and KiHa 58 series cars on the line. These were produced from March 1992 to August 1996, mostly by Niigata Tekkō based on their NDC series of cars; these were also deployed on just about every non-electrified line owned by JR West, apart from the lines in the East San'in Area.

In addition to being produced by Niigata Tekkō, a number of cars were also produced by JR West's Gotō Works under license. The first trains were introduced in March 1992. A total of 89 cars were produced from 1992 to 1996, and all except one are in service; car KiHa 120-358 was scrapped in 2020 due to a rollover accident. These were the first diesel railcars produced for JR West following the JNR's privatization.

Design

The KiHa 120 series use a tall design with a slightly streamlined cab. The design of the cars is largely based on that of the MR-100 series cars used on the Matsuura Railway. The trains are colored differently depending on the region they serve in; in later years however all KiHa 120-200 series cars have been repainted Vermillion No. 5, named "persimmon".

Specifications

Construction is of steel, although the later KiHa 120-0 and 120-300 series cars use a stainless steel design. All cars use a Komatsu SA6D125-H1 prime mover producing 247 HP (250 PS). Power is transmitted through a 2-speed hydraulic transmission. Each series of car features some differences from the rest, which will be detailed below.

The KiHa 120-200 series cars, the first series of cars, feature a steel body and with a side design similar to that of the KiHa 32 series cars, with dual folding doors, semi-cross abreast seating, manual door opening and closing switches and opening windows. The second batch of cars, the KiHa 120-0 series, essentially act as the original cars despite being introduced after the -200 series cars. These feature closed single-pane windows, a wider body made of stainless steel (the front cabs are still made of steel), an improved prime mover, bench seating and the removal of the door opening and closing switches (i.e. the doors must be opened manually by hand). The KiHa 120-300 series cars are essentially identical to the KiHa 120-0 series cars but feature semi-cross abreast seating as opposed to bench seating.

Since 2017 the cars have been refurbished with new energy efficient SA6D125-HE1 prime movers, attachment of a front pilot, installation of toilets and the exchanging of the front headlights with new energy efficient LEDs among others.

Incidents

KiHa 120-358 was involved in a derailment on the Geibi Line on 9 March 2020; the car was scrapped on-site due to it not being possible to lift the car with a crane due to the narrow roads in the surroundings. KiHa 120-357 would be transferred to the line to serve in its place.

See also

• Wikipedia.org