KiHa 141 series

KiHa 141 series
KiHa 143-101 and 151 in May 2021
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	JR Hokkaido's Goryōkaku Works, JR Hokkaido's Kushiro Works, JR Hokkaido's Naebo Works
Type of locomotive	Diesel multiple unit
Constructed	1990 – 1995
Number built	44 cars
Dimensions	19,500 mm × 2,890 mm × 4,022 mm (KiHa 143 series)
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Prime mover	DMF13HS, DMF13HZD, DMF13HZE or N-DMF13HZE prime mover
Service information
In service	April 1990 – 11 June 2023
Formation	1 or 2 cars per set
Number in service	None (22 on other railways)
Fleet numbers	KiHa 141-1 – KiHa 141-12, KiHa 142-1 – KiHa 142-13, KiHa 142-114, KiHa 142-701, KiHa 143-101 – KiHa 143-104, KiHa 143-151 – KiHa 143-154, KiHa 143-156 – KiHa 143-157, KiHa 143-701, KiSaHa 144-102, KiSaHa 144-104, KiSaHa 144-701 – KiSaHa 144-702
Scrapped	2005
Preservation information
Preserved	N/A
Number scrapped	2 cars

The KiHa 141 series is a low-capacity commuter diesel multiple unit used by the Hokkaido Railway Company from April 1990 to June 2023.

History

The KiHa 141 series was designed out of a requirement to increase the transportation capacity on the Sasshō Line, caused by rapid urbanization of Sapporo City. To do this, JR Hokkaido decided to convert existing surplus 50 series locomotive-hauled passenger cars into diesel railcars, by combining the car bodies with a Japanese design of prime mover.

JR Hokkaido performed the task of converting these surplus cars into diesel railcars at its Goryōkaku, Kushiro and Naebo Works. A total of 44 cars were converted from 1990 through 1995, with the first cars entering service in April 1990 on the Sasshō Line. JR Hokkaido retired its entire fleet of KiHa 141 series cars (except the KiHa 143 series cars) on 26 October 2012; after their retirement, 22 cars were transferred to the Myanmar Railways, where they operate today. Four ex-JR Hokkaido KiHa 141 series cars were then converted for use in the SL Ginga Joyful Train, with ownership transferred to JR East.

Regular service for the KiHa 143 series cars operated by JR Hokkaido ended on 19 May 2023; JR Hokkaido is considering other uses for these cars. Service for the SL Ginga cars operated by JR East ended on 11 June 2023 with a few special services, with the cars towed to Akita Depot for scrapping.

Design

The KiHa 141 series use a squared-off design similar to many other railcars of the time, with dual top-mounted headlights. The cars are mostly painted ivory white with lime green and lavender accents.

Specifications

Construction is of steel. The cars are very similar in concept to the KiHa 33 series cars operated by JR West, which were also made by converting surplus passenger cars. The driver's cab is reused from the conductor's room of the passenger cars they were converted from.

The KiHa 141 series cars are equipped with either DMF13HS, DMF13HZD or DMF13HZE prime movers or the N-DMF13HZE supercharged prime mover; all prime movers were originally designed by other companies but are made under licensed production from JR East. Power is transmitted through a hydraulic transmission mounted under the floor.

References

• Wikipedia.org