The KiHa 56 series is a low-capacity commuter diesel multiple unit operated initially by the Japanese National Railways and later by the Hokkaido Railway Company from 1961 to 2002. In essence, these were a variant of the KiHa 58 series cars that were optimized for use in cold weather.
History[]
In the 1950s, most express trains were locomotive-hauled and were usually slow compared to diesel railcars in other regions. Cars manufactured for use in Hokkaido were usually not manufactured in large quantities as they required special equipment for them to be cold and snow resistant; as such, the number of trains in Hokkaido was usually insufficient, with transport usually tight in those areas.
While the recent KiHa 55 series cars were highly successful and built a network of semi-express train lines throughout Japan, they were not optimized for use in cold climates. The cars did see some use in Hokkaido, but were quickly returned to Honshū during the winter as measures for the cars to resist the cold were not taken, and a long string of KiHa 22 series cars would be used instead. As such, it became clear that a new set of cars had to be built.
Alongside the production of the KiHa 58 series cars were the KiHa 56 series cars, intended for use in Hokkaido's harsh wintry climate. The cars began service in 1961 alongside the KiHa 58 series cars, and were often run in express services along the region. The introduction of the KiHa 56 series cars was well-received, for they had higher speeds and better ride comfort than the steam locomotive-hauled trains which were mainstream at the time in Hokkaido.
The cars were a mainstay in Hokkaido service until about 1981, when they began becoming surplus due to the introduction of newer and better cars, such as the KiHa 183 series; these were then slowly scrapped. When JNR was privatized, ownership of the remaining cars was assumed by JR Hokkaido. By 2002, all cars were withdrawn. A total of 11 cars are preserved throughout Japan.
Design[]
The KiHa 56 series use a squared-off design similar to many other railcars of the time, featuring dual top-mounted sealed beam headlights. The cars are painted with a Cream No.4 "Wheat" base coat with Red No.4 "Scarlet" accents, the standard livery for JNR's diesel express cars.
Specifications[]
Construction is of steel. Compared to the KiHa 58 series cars, the KiHa 56 series cars feature smaller side windows, a parallel-connected underfloor hot water radiator, wooden flooring as opposed to linoleum or steel plates and hot water pipes as anti-freeze measures for important equipment. The KiHa 56 series cars are equipped with a 178 HP (180 PS) DMH17H prime mover, with power transmitted through a Niigata Converter hydraulic transmission.
Preservation[]
The following KiHa 56 series cars have been preserved:
Car number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Previous sets | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KiHa 56 23 | Niigata Tekkō | October 1961 | March 1987 | N/A | Otaru City General Museum, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan | Displayed outdoors, coupled to other two cars located in establishment |
KiHa 27 11 | Tokyu Car Corporation | March 1961 | Displayed outdoors, only preserved car with prototype body cross-section, coupled to other two cars located in establishment | |||
KiRo 26 107 | Teikoku Sharyō | March 1966 | Displayed outdoors, coupled to other two cars located in establishment | |||
KiHa 27 23 | Tokyu Car Corporation | March 1962 | February 1987 | Mikasa Railway Memorial Hall, Mikasa, Hokkaido, Japan | Displayed outdoors | |
KiRo 26 104 | Teikoku Sharyō | April 1965 | ||||
KiHa 56 16 | Niigata Tekkō | October 1961 | ||||
KiHa 27 36 | Tokyu Car Corporation | April 1962 | March 1988 | Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan | Privately owned, painted all-over white; poor cosmetic condition | |
KiHa 27 109 | Teikoku Sharyō | April 1965 | March 1990 | Former Kami-Okoppe Station, Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido, Japan | Displayed outdoors | |
KiHa 27 113 | November 1965 | March 1987 | Tokoro, Hokkaido, Japan | Painted all-over navy blue, acts as insectarium | ||
KiHa 27 551 | Niigata Tekkō | March 1968 | March 2001 | Okuhida Garden Hotel Yakedake, Takayama, Japan | Ex-KiHa 27 203, painted blue with golden stripe | |
KiHa 27 552 | September 1968 | Ex-KiHa 27 208, painted blue with golden stripe | ||||
KiHa 56 201 | June 1968 | October 1995 | Hokkaido Railway Technology Museum, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan | Cab only | ||
KiHa 56 209 | September 1968 | Takeda Ranch, Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan | Privately owned, won by owner of ranch in auction in 2002; formerly stored at Naebo Works |
The following KiHa 56 series cars were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:
Car number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Previous sets | Last location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KiHa 56 202 | Niigata Tekkō | June 1968 | October 2001 | N/A | Goryōkaku Rolling Stock Depot, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan | One of the last operational KiHa 56 series cars, stored on scrap line; removed November 2006 and scrapped |
KiHa 56 204 | One of the last operational KiHa 56 series cars, stored on scrap line; removed November 2006 and scrapped, cab sectioned and placed on display, removed 2016 | |||||
KiHa 56 211 | Fuji Heavy Industries | August 1968 | One of the last operational KiHa 56 series cars, stored on scrap line; removed October 2016 and scrapped | |||
KiHa 27 53 | Teikoku Sharyō | October 1962 | December 1986 | Tsukigata, Hokkaido, Japan | Converted into onsen bathhouse; removed circa 2010 and scrapped | |
KiHa 27 106 | Tokyu Car Corporation | November 1963 | ||||
KiHa 27 55 | Teikoku Sharyō | October 1962 | February 1987 | Memorial Ship Hakkōda-maru, Aomori, Japan | Used as resting space outside ship; removed 2012 and scrapped | |
KiHa 27 117 | December 1965 | |||||
KiHa 27 118 | ||||||
KiHa 56 552 | Niigata Tekkō | April 1967 | October 2001 | Mori, Hokkaido, Japan | Ex-KiHa 56 145, acted as Drive-In Yamaroku restaurant; removed circa 2009 and scrapped | |
KiHa 56 551 | December 1965 | March 2001 | Date, Hokkaido, Japan | Ex-KiHa 56 124, dumped at a waste disposal company; removed and scrapped at later date | ||
KiHa 27 108 | Teikoku Sharyō | April 1965 | December 1991 | Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan | Dumped at a waste disposal company; removed and scrapped at later date | |
KiHa 27 111 | ||||||
KiHa 27 204 | Niigata Tekkō | September 1968 | July 1997 | Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan | Privately owned, last sighted May 2006; removed and scrapped at later date | |
KiHa 56 119 | May 1965 | |||||
KiHa 56 123 | December 1965 | |||||
KiHa 56 129 | April 1966 | |||||
KiHa 27 24 | Tokyu Car Corporation | March 1962 | March 1987 | Esashi, Hokkaido, Japan | Used as classroom; scrapped in early-2000s |
JGR/JNR rolling stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JGR | Wooden-bodied EMUs | Commuter: 963 • 6250 • 6260 • 6280 • 6285 • 6300 • 6310 • 6340 • 33400 • 33500 • 43200 • 63100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Steel-bodied EMUs | Commuter: 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 40 • 42 • 50 • 51 • 62 • 63 • 70 • 72 Express: 52 • 80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-revenue EMUs | Non-revenue: 7 • 93 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DMUs | Constant mesh gearbox: KiHa 01 • KiHa 04 • KiHa 07 • KiHa 5000 • KiHa 40000 Diesel-electric: KiHaNi 36450 • KiHa 43000 • KiHa 44000 Miscellaneous: KiSaHa 04 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Miscellaneous | Steam railcar: HoJi 6005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JNR | AC EMUs | Shinkansen: 0 • 100 • 200 Non-revenue Shinkansen: 922 • 925 • 941 • 951 • 961 • 962 • 1000 Commuter: 711 • 713 • 715 • 717 Limited Express: 781 Non-revenue: 791 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DC EMUs | Commuter: 101 • 103 • 105 • 111 • 113 • 115 • 117 • 119 • 121 • 123 • 201 • 203 • 205 • 207 • 211 • 213 • 301 Limited Express: 151 • 153 • 155 • 157 • 159 • 161 • 165 • 167 • 169 • 181 • 183 • 185 • 189 • 381 Conversions: 1 • 10 • 11 • 12 Non-revenue: 141 • 143 • 145 • 147 • 191 • 193 Proposed: 187 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Dual-current EMUs | Commuter: 413 • 415 • 417 • 419 Limited Express: 451 • 453 • 455 • 457 • 471 • 473 • 475 • 481 • 483 • 485 • 489 • 581 • 583 Non-revenue: 21 • 22 • 90 • 441 • 443 • 493 • 495 • 591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DMUs | Commuter: KiHa 08 • KiHa 10 • KiHa 15 • KiHa 20 • KiHa 31 • KiHa 32 • KiHa 35 • KiHa 37 • KiHa 38 • KiHa 40 • KiHa 45 • KiHa 54 • KiHa 66 Express: KiHa 55 • KiHa 56 • KiHa 57 • KiHa 58 • KiHa 60 • KiHa 65 • KiHa 90 Limited Express: KiHa 80 • KiHa 181 • KiHa 183 • KiHa 185 Non-revenue: KiYa 191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GTLs | Non-revenue: KiHa 391 |
JR Hokkaido rolling stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Active | AC EMUs | Shinkansen: H5 Commuter: 721 • 731 • 733 • 735 • 737 Limited Express: 785 • 789 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DMUs | Commuter: H100 • KiHa 40 • KiHa 54 • KiHa 141 • KiHa 150 • KiHa 201 Limited Express: KiHa 261 • KiHa 281 • KiHa 283 Non-revenue: KiYa 291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Withdrawn | AC EMUs | Commuter: 711 Limited Express: 781 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dual-current EMUs | Limited Express: 485 • 583 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DMUs | Commuter: KiHa 22 • KiHa 45 • KiHa 130 Express: KiHa 56 Limited Express: KiHa 80 • KiHa 183 series • (KiHa 183-5000 • KiHa 183-5100 • KiHa 183-5200) Non-revenue: KiHa 160 • KiHa 285 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Future | Fuel cell MUs | Commuter: Unclassified |
JR rolling stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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