The KiHa 183-5200 series, branded North Rainbow Express, is a charter-only higher-speed diesel multiple unit operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company from July 1992 to April 2023. The set was one of six purpose-built diesel railcars for JR Hokkaido at Naebo Works.
History[]
The KiHa 183-5200 series cars were manufactured in 1992 by JR Hokkaido's Naebo Works as a replacement for the Alpha Continental Express set. The set was designed as a resort train intended for charter-only use between Sapporo and Hakodate. The name of the set was decided through a public poll.
The set entered service on 18 July 1992 as a three-car consist, but still unnamed. It was only in December when the final name for the set was revealed and the other two cars were added to fully make a five-car consist. One of the cab cars, KiHa 183-5201, was damaged through a level crossing accident in 1997, and KiHa 183-1 was used to take its place temporarily as it was being repaired. It was painted in a color scheme based on that of the set.
By the 1990s, due to a recession, the resort train service was no longer as profitable as it once was and the cars changed their scope of use. The set then became a charter-only set for use by general commuters, and have also been used to stand in for other cars in limited express use, but such occasions are rare. The set was retired on 30 April 2023; with the retirement of the North Rainbow Express, all of the Naebo Works Joyful Train sets have retired from service. The set was later moved to Naebo Works for storage the next day.
Design[]
The KiHa 183-5200 series feature a unique streamlined design with a "high decker" design to emphasize vision. The side windows of the sets feature a curved glass top which extends to the shoulder of the roof featuring skylights. The cars featured reclining seats. The cars feature a white base coat with multicolored accents, with a different color for each car; lavender, blue, light green, orange and pink in the above order.
Construction is of steel. Performance statistics are largely identical to that of the KiHa 183 series cars these were based on; this article will still detail some additional statistics about the cars.
Prior to the speed increase of the Hakodate and Muroran Main Lines, these cars were capable of doing 130 km/h (81 mph), far faster than any other trains on those lines. The set features implements allowing them to enter the Seikan Tunnel, and it is possible for the cars to enter Honshū with the help of specialized electric locomotives such as the ED79 and ED800; there have been occasions where the set has operated on Honshū, up to as far as Akita.
The set consists of five cars: four high-deck single deck cars and one double deck car. The double deck car does not feature an engine due to lack of space. The lower floor of the car features a lounge and buffet with a television set, while the upper floor acts as a seating area.
