KiHa 261 series

For the newer electric multiple unit developed by JR East, see E261 series.

KiHa 261 series
KiHa 261 series on a Sōya service in June 2022
In service2000–Present
Manufacturer
ReplacedKiHa 183 series, KiHa 281 series, KiHa 283 series
Constructed1998–
Number under construction28 vehicles (as of December 2013)
Number built35 vehicles (as of April 2013)
Number in service35 vehicles (as of April 2013)
Formation4–6 cars per trainset
OperatorsJR Hokkaido
DepotsNaebo
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length
  • 21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (intermediate)
  • 21,470 mm (70 ft 5 in) (261-0 end)
  • 21,670 mm (71 ft 1 in) (261-1000 end)
Width
  • 2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in) (261-0)
  • 2,928 mm (9 ft 7.3 in) (261-1000)
Height
  • 4,012 mm (13 ft 2.0 in) (261-0)
  • 3,982 mm (13 ft 0.8 in) (261-1000)
Doors1 per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Prime mover(s)N-DMF13HZH (× 1 or × 2 per car)
Power output460 hp (340 kW) per engine
TransmissionHydraulic
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The KiHa 261 series (キハ261系) is a tilting diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 2000.[1]

Design

The running gear was based on the KiHa 201 series trains introduced in 1997, and the body design was a joint venture with the Danish State Railways (DSB).[2]

Fleet

As of 1 April 2013, 35 KiHa 261 series vehicles were in operation.[3] 14 were built by Fuji Heavy Industries, and 21 were built by JR Hokkaido.[3] A further 28 vehicles are on order to be delivered from fiscal 2015.[4]

Operations

KiHa 261 series trainsets are used on the following services.[1]

KiHa 261-0 series

KiHa 261-1000 series

Formations

Sōya

Sōya services are normally formed of four-car KiHa 261-100 series sets, and are sometimes lengthened to six cars during busy periods.[5]

4-car formations

Four-car sets are formed as follows.[5]

Car No. 1 2 3 4
Numbering KiRoHa 261-200 KiHa 260-200 KiHa 260-100 KiHa 261-100

6-car formations

Six-car sets are formed by adding two cars as shown below. Car 1 (and car 21) includes Green (first) class and standard class accommodation.[5]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Numbering KiRoHa 261-200 KiHa 260-200 KiHa 260-100 KiHa 261-100 KiHa 260-100 KiHa 261-100
Car No. 21 22 1 2 3 4
Numbering KiRoHa 261-200 KiHa 260-200 KiRoHa 261-200 KiHa 260-200 KiHa 260-100 KiHa 261-100

Super Tokachi

4-car KiHa 261-1000 series set on a Super Tokachi service in August 2012

Super Tokachi services were originally formed of five-car KiHa 261-1000 series sets, but these were later reduced to four cars.[1]

The 4-car Super Tokachi sets are formed as follows.

Car No. 1 2 3 4
Numbering KiRo 261-1100 KiHa 260-1100 KiHa 260-1200 KiHa 261-1200

Interior

  • Interior of Green car KiRo 261-1102 in April 2009
    Interior of Green car KiRo 261-1102 in April 2009
  • Interior of ordinary-class car KiHa 260-1102 in April 2009
    Interior of ordinary-class car KiHa 260-1102 in April 2009

History

5-car KiHa 261-1000 series set as first introduced on Super Tokachi services, October 2007

A four-car pre-production set was delivered from Fuji Heavy Industries in November 1998 for evaluation and testing.[1][2] The first production trains were introduced on Super Sōya services between Sapporo and Wakkanai from the start of the revised timetable on 11 March 2000.[1]

New KiHa 261-1000 series 5-car sets were introduced on Super Tokachi services between Sapporo and Obihiro from October 2007.[1]

KiHa 261-1000 series set ST1101 in revised colour scheme in May 2021

A further 28 KiHa 261 series vehicles were delivered from 2015 onward, and these are not equipped with tilting capability.[4]

From December 2015 until the end of 2017, the KiHa 261-1000 series fleet were gradually repainted into a new livery with white front ends, yellow front-end gangway doors, and a purple bodyside stripe.[6]

KiHa 261-5000 series

On 17 October 2019, JR Hokkaido announced plans to introduce two new KiHa 261-5000 series 5-car sets.[7] They each feature external colour schemes inspired by the hamanasu and lavender flowers, which, according to JR Hokkaido, are prominent throughout Hokkaido.[8]

Car 1 is designated as a lounge car, featuring window-facing seats and transverse seating bays with tables. Cars 2 through 5 are ordinary-class cars, featuring 2+2 abreast seating throughout.[9]

The "Hamanasu" set was built at Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Hyogo factory, and was delivered to JR Hokkaido in July 2020.[10] It entered revenue service on 17 October of that year.[11] The "Lavender" set was delivered from the same factory in January 2021[12] and entered revenue service in May of that year,[13] although it was originally intended to enter service in April.[8]

  • The KiHa 261-5000 series "Hamanasu" set in May 2022
    The KiHa 261-5000 series "Hamanasu" set in May 2022
  • The KiHa 261-5000 series "Lavender" set in June 2022
    The KiHa 261-5000 series "Lavender" set in June 2022
  • Lounge interior
    Lounge interior
  • Ordinary-class interior
    Ordinary-class interior

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Jr全車両: ビジュアル決定版 Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 115. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
  2. ^ a b Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 448–449. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  3. ^ a b JR電車編成表 2014冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2014]. Japan: JRR. 1 December 2013. p. 391. ISBN 978-4-330-42413-2.
  4. ^ a b 車体傾斜装置、取りやめ検討 JR北海道、15年度以降導入の28両 将来の高速化に足かせも [JR Hokkaido to abandon tilt: 28 vehicles on order from FY2015 may hinder future speed increases]. Doshin (in Japanese). Japan: The Hokkaido Shimbun Press. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  5. ^ a b c JR気動車客車編成表 '04年版 [JR DMU & Coaching Stock Formations - 2004]. Japan: JRR. 1 July 2004. p. 16. ISBN 978-4-88283-125-9.
  6. ^ JR北海道，キハ261系1000番台のエクステリアデザインを変更 [JR Hokkaido to modify exterior styling of KiHa 261-1000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 10 September 2015. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  7. ^ "観光列車に使える特急車両キハ261系5000番台新造 カウンター席や個室設置 JR北海道" [JR Hokkaido announces new limited express KiHa 261-5000 series trains that can be used for sightseeing trains, built with private compartments]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., Ltd. 17 October 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b 観光列車に活用できる特急車両を製作します! [We will be introducing limited express rolling stock that can also be used for sightseeing trains!] (PDF). JR Hokkaido. 17 October 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  9. ^ "JR北海道キハ261系5000番台「はまなす編成」デビュー前に一般公開" [JR Hokkaido shows off KiHa 261-5000 series "Hamanasu" set to the public before its debut]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 26 September 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  10. ^ "キハ261系5000番台が甲種輸送される" [KiHa 261-5000 series set undergoes delivery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  11. ^ "キハ261系5000番台が営業運転を開始" [KiHa 261-5000 series enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  12. ^ "JR北海道「ラベンダー編成」姿を現す - 今年4月頃から使用開始予定" [JR Hokkaido "Lavender" train appears, scheduled to enter service in April of this year]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  13. ^ "JR北海道「ラベンダー編成」「はまなす編成」10～11月の運行予定は" [JR Hokkaido "Lavender" and "Hamanasu" operation schedules for October and November]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
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