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KiHa 80 series
KiHa 82 series Ōtori service, 1986
In service	1960–2002
Manufacturer	Fuji Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha Seizo, Niigata Tekko, Nippon Sharyo, Teikoku Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	1960 (KiHa 81) 1961–1967 (KiHa 82)
Scrapped	1982–2009
Successor	KiHa 181 series KiHa 183 series 485 series
Operators	JNR (1960–1987) JR Hokkaido (1987–2002) JR Central (1987–2002)
Specifications
Car length	21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (KiHa 81) 21,100 mm (69 ft 3 in) (KiHa 82)
Width	2,903 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Engine type	Diesel
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 4th Blue Ribbon Award in 1961. ※ Awarded for KiHa 81 series This train won the 30th Blue Ribbon Award in 1987. ※ Awarded for KiHa 84 series Furano Express set

The KiHa 80 series (キハ80系) was a diesel multiple unit type that operated on express services from 1960 to 2002, under Japan National Railways and later under JR Hokkaido and JR Central. Two variants were initially built: the KiHa 81 series (キハ81系) to replace the then steam-operated Hatsukari services in 1960, and the KiHa 82 series (キハ82系) for other services from 1961 to 1967; the KiHa 81 series sets would receive the fourth Blue Ribbon Award for outstanding design from the Japan Railfan Club [ja].

By early 1960, the new cars were scheduled to start service in December of that year. After a promotional film of the KiHa 81 series was shot between September 15–23, 1960, and a demonstration was given to the participants of the 1960 Asian Railways Conference on October 14, the sets began operating Hatsukari services as planned on December 10.

In the late 1980s, three resort trains were built based on the series: two KiHa 84 series (キハ84系) trains (the Furano Express and Tomamu Sahoro Express) and one remodeled KiHa 82 train (the Resort Liner). The Furano Express would be reliveried from June to October 1987 as part of a promotion with All Nippon Airways, and win the 30th Blue Ribbon Award in the same year; the Tomamu Sahoro Express set would participate in a Shikoku event showcasing the trains of all JR Group companies in 1989.

By the time of its retirement in 2002, it had been superseded by various multiple units such as the KiHa 183, KiHa 181, and 485 series. Most cars were scrapped by 2009, but some were preserved, including a KiHa 81 lead car at the Kyoto Railway Museum, and a KiHa 82 lead car on the Hakkōda Maru [ja].

Background

After World War II, limited express services used only the Tōkaidō and San'yō Main Lines and part of the Kagoshima Main Line. This was due to low demand for express services in rural areas due to most of the population already residing on the Tōkaidō Main Line, as well as lack of electrification in many areas; only the Tōkaidō, Takasaki and Jōetsu lines were electrified by 1956, necessitating the use of steam locomotives on most lines.

Steam locomotives were used widely in Japan during the mid-20th century, reaching a peak of 5,958 in 1946. Whilst necessary due to its significant role in transporting freight, there were disadvantages: when changing directions at terminal stations, steam locomotives would need to be shunted. Furthermore, due to the railway standards in Japan, they were considered inferior to trains with multiple motor cars (especially the electric multiple units operating between Tokyo and Osaka at the time).

History

1958–1960: Development, promotion and start of services

In early 1960, the new cars were scheduled to start service in December of that year.

On September 15, 1960, a promotional film using a KiHa 81 series set was filmed on the Kawagoe Line, which was followed by filming on the Jōban Line and the Tōhoku Main Line between September 18 and 23. On October 14, a special train carrying the participants of that year's Asian Railways Conference made a round trip between Tokyo and Nikkō. The remaining 17 KiHa 81 series cars were inaugurated between October 31 and November 18, 1960, and started on the Hatsukari service on December 10.

1961–1972: Expansion of services, and mechanical problems

In the October 1961 timetable revision [ja], the number of daily limited express services was increased from 9 to 26; to meet that demand, 7 cars would be allocated to Hibari services in April 1962.

These cars, along with a further 127 cars (15 of which were allocated to the Hakodate depot), were KiHa 82 series cars. They would be allocated to the following services:

• Ōzora (Hakodate to Asahikawa - one return working daily)
• Hakuchō (白鳥) (Osaka to Aomori via Ueno - one return working daily)
• Hibari (Ueno to Sendai - one return working daily)
• Tsubasa (Ueno to Akita - one return working daily)
• Matsukaze (Kyoto to Matsue - one return working daily)
• Kamome (Kyoto to Miyazaki via Nagasaki - one return working daily)
• Midori (Osaka to Hakata - one return working daily)
• Heiwa (Osaka to Hiroshima - one return working daily)

However, some mechanical problems would become apparent; on the first day of the timetable revision, one Matsukaze service departed 40 minutes late as the Kiha 82-40 car had to undertake repairs at Fukuchiyama due to axle overheating, and dining service in the KiShi 80 car was suspended due to the resulting lack of power supply. On the return trip, the KiHa 82-27 car was switched to face towards Kyoto, and the KiHa 28-7 car was assigned to the rear of the train - it would be exchanged with the KiHa 82-40 car at Toyooka.

Shuichiro Yamanouchi, the JNR district manager for Mukōmachi, would describe in his book If There Was No Shinkansen... (新幹線がなかったら, Shinkansen ga nakattara) how he used spare cars (which were intended for Midori services) for spare parts in event of any problems, and to make up for a shortage of such parts.

Between 1964 and 1972, these services would start using the KiHa 82 series sets:

• Ōtori [ja] (Hakodate to Abashiri and Kushiro - one return working daily)
• Hokuto (北斗) (Hakodate to Sapporo and Asahikawa - one return working daily)
• Hokkai (北海) (Hakodate to Asahikawa - one return working daily)

In September 1968, after the entirety of the Tohoku Main Line was electrified, with the section between Ueno and Sendai being duplicated, the KiHa 81 series sets would be replaced by 583 series trains on Hatsukari services.

1972–1987: Pre-JNR privatization, and gradual replacement

Kuroshio, Hida and Nanki services

In the October 1, 1976 timetable revision, 12 surplus cars (which were used on Oki services) were transferred from Mukaikamachi Depot, and two Hida return workings using KiHa 82 series cars were added between Nagoya and Takayama.

In the October 2, 1978 timetable revision, 36 surplus cars were transferred from Wakayama Locomotive Works, as Kuroshio trains were replaced by 381 series trains due to the electrification of Shingu Station on the Kise Main Line. Three Nanki return workings ran between Nagoya and Kii-Katsuura, which was a non-electrified section. The number of Hida services was increased by one to four. In 1982, nine surplus cars were transferred from Mukōmachi, and five old cars were scrapped, and on November 15 of the same year, the timetable was revised to include six-car trains.

In the March 14, 1985 timetable revision, the Hida services were changed from one round trip to/from Kanazawa to one round trip to/from Hida-Furukawa, and the Nanki services were shortened to four-car sets. At the time of privatization on April 1, 1987, 50 cars were transferred to the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), which continued to operate four Hida round trips and five Nanki round trips.

Services in Hokkaido (Ōzora, Hokuto, Ōtori and Hokkai)

In the October 1, 1981 timetable revision, the number of Ōzora return workings using KiHa 80 series sets would be reduced to one, and the number of cars on Ōtori services would be reduced by one. Three Hokuto return workings (along with one Ōzora service) were transferred to the Sapporo Depot [ja].

In the March 14, 1985 timetable revision, the position of the KiShi 80 and KiRo 80 cars would be reversed on Ōtori services, whilst two Ōzora services to Obihiro were added (one operated in conjunction with Hokkai services) and the one remaining Hokuto service using the KiHa 80 series would become a seasonal-only train. In the November 1, 1986 timetable revision (the last before the privatization of JNR), all services in Hokkaido using KiHa 80 series sets were either replaced by KiHa 183 series sets, or removed from regular service.

1987–2002: Joyful Trains, final services and retirement

JR Hokkaido

After the privatization of JNR, 15 cars would be allocated to the then newly formed JR Hokkaido:

Of these cars, KiHa 82-109 would be converted to KiHa 80-501 for the Furano Express; KiHa 80-160 and KiHa 80-166 would be converted to KiHa 84 series cars, along with the KiHa 82-86 car being converted into a KiHa 83 series car, to make up the Tomamu Sahoro Express. Due to the aging of the modified cars, operation of the Furano Express was terminated in 1998. The Tomamu Sahoro Express was converted to the Mount Lake livery in 1999, but the operation was terminated in the summer season of 2002. Both trains would be scrapped in 2004 (with the exception of KiShi 80-501, which would last until 2007).

The remaining cars - unmodified KiHa 82-102/108 and KiHa 80-144/152/161 cars - were used in a 5-car formation on various services. Several farewell services were run, starting September 25, 1992 with a service from Sapporo to Hakodate (via the Hakodate Main Line), on September 26, 1992, with another Hakodate to Sapporo service (this time via the Muroran Main Line and Chitose Line), and on September 27–28, 1992 with a farewell Sapporo round trip service (via Kushiro and Abashiri); the set would be withdrawn on October 2, 1992.

JR Central

From 1987 until 1994, KiHa 80 series sets would be used for the Suzuka F1 temporary service that ran directly from Nagoya to Suzuka Circuit Inō on the Ise Line during the Japanese Grand Prix, and to transport spectators to night games held at the Nagoya Stadium via the Nagoya Port Line.

By 1994, 22 cars were still in service. Some of these cars were used on special farewell services - the Memorial Hida event train on October 25 of the same year, the Gotemba Line 60th Anniversary temporary rapid train between Shizuoka and Gotemba on November 27, and on December 11, the Hida special train on the Takayama Main Line. On January 21, 1995, its final service - the Memorial Nanki - was operated. The nine regular cars and three Resort Liner cars that were registered at that time were scrapped during the same year, with the exception of the KiHa 82-73/105 and KiHa 80-60/99 cars.

Manufactured cars

KiHa 81 series

In 1960, two nine-car sets (along with eight extra cars) of what would be known as the KiHa 81 series were manufactured. These trains were also named the Hatsukari after the services on which they were introduced. In 1961, these sets received the fourth Blue Ribbon Award from the Japan Railfan Club [ja].

Between 1968 and 1970, six of these cars (three KiRo 80 and three KiSaShi 80 cars) were refurbished into 900-series cars.

KiHa 82 series

At the end of 1960, JNR started work on a redesign of the KiHa 81 series, with a focus on fixing the set's flaws and finding possible improvements. The KiHa 82 series, which included newly designed lead and intermediate cars, was manufactured after 1961.

Joyful Trains

In the 1980s, a number of Joyful Trains were built, which included the Furano Express, the Tomamu Sahoro Express and the Resort Liner.

Furano Express (KiHa 84 series)

Furano Express (フラノエクスプレス)
Furano Express set
In service	1986–1998
Refurbished	1986–1987
Scrapped	2004
Number scrapped	4 cars
Specifications
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

Due to the popularity of the Alpha Continental Express, which was a modified KiHa 56 series car that entered service in 1985, the Furano area, which was attracting attention as a tourist destination, demanded a set that offered high-quality service and improved ride comfort and speed. The set won the 30th Blue Ribbon Award in 1987.

From June to October 1987, as part of a collaboration with All Nippon Airways, the front destination board was changed to ANA, the train was reliveried with a band that had two shades of blue (which was similar to that on ANA aircraft), and the train's name was changed to the ANA Big Sneaker Train.

The KiHa 184-11 car was added to augment the set to 5 cars in January 1990. Modifications included a new control circuit, new hood height, and new exterior paint color. The car was removed from the formation later that year and restored to its usual configuration, and would eventually be scrapped in March 1994 due to damage sustained in an accident on an Ōzora service in February that year. The set was withdrawn after the Last Run Furano service on November 1, 1998, and scrapped on September 27, 2004.

Classification	Car nos.	No. built	Notes	Picture	Ref.
KiHa 84	1–2	2	An end power car equipped with two engines, it had a raised section of seats for an observation deck, alongside a non-raised general section. The circuit voltage was lowered from 100 V AC to 24 V DC to enable joint working with KiHa 183 series trains. Rebuilt from the KiHa 80-164 and 80-165 cars in December 1986.
KiHa 83	1	1	An intermediate power car equipped with one engine, it had an observation deck. Rebuilt from KiHa 82-109 in December 1986.
KiHa 80-500	1	1	An intermediate power car equipped with two engines, it had a lounge. Rebuilt from KiHa 82-110 and came into service in May 1987.

Tomamu Sahoro Express (KiHa 84-100 series)

Tomamu Sahoro Express (トマムサホロエクスプレス)
Tomamu Sahoro Express set
In service	1987–2002
Constructed	1987–1988
Scrapped	2004–2007
Number scrapped	5 cars
Specifications
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

Three cars (KiHa 84-101, KiHa 83-101 and KiHa 83-102) were completed on December 10, 1987. It began operating as a three-car set between Sapporo and Tomamu on December 27, 1987, immediately after its completion. In some seasons, it was operated as the Lavender Express to complement the Furano Express.

In 1988, two further cars (KiHa 83-102 and KiShi 80-501) were added to the set, augmenting it to five cars.

As part of a 1989 event in Shikoku called the Joyful Train Gathering of Six JR Companies, the train ran between Takamatsu and Matsuyama (where it was put on temporary display) on November 4, and on November 5, it ran between Matsuyama and Tadotsu. It returned to Hokkaido via the Tokaido and Tohoku Main Lines from November 6 to 10 under locomotive power from Tadotsu.

In 1999, the train was converted from a Seasun to the Mount Lake Onuma service, named after the Ōnuma Quasi-National Park's titular lake, and again to the Night Cruise Ryobi, which travelled via the former Esashi Line. It was restored to the Tomamu Sahoro Express paint scheme after these services ended in August 2002, and was used on weekend services from September 14 to October 14 of the same year. After that, the cars were withdrawn, and were eventually scrapped in 2004 (with the exception of KiShi 80-501, which would be scrapped in 2007).

Resort Liner (リゾートライナー)
Resort Liner set, 1989
In service	1988–1995
Constructed	1988
Scrapped	1995
Number scrapped	3 cars
Specifications
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

Resort Liner (KiRo 82-800 series)

This 3-car train was completed on July 29, 1988, and began commercial operation on August 16, 1988. Unlike the other joyful trains based on this series, they were to be used for special trains and group trains that were scheduled on a case-by-case basis. In addition, some of the trains were operated in conjunction with express trains of the KiHa 58 and KiHa 65 series. For this reason, the jumper couplers for the control circuits were replaced. The cars would eventually be scrapped in 1995.

Preserved cars

KiHa 81-3

It was formerly preserved and exhibited at the Modern Transportation Museum in Osaka, before being moved to the Kyoto Railway Museum upon the former's closure in April 2014.

KiHa 82-101

It has been stored on the Hakkōda Maru [ja].

• KiHa 81-3 car at the Kyoto Railway Museum
• Front of KiHa 82-101 on the Hakkōda Maru, 2014
• Back of KiHa 82-101 on the Hakkōda Maru, 2014

Notes

General

1. (e.g. KiHa 81-1)

References

1. Fukuhara, Shunichi. 国鉄特急電車物語 直流電車編 [The JNR Limited Express Train Story - Electric Train] (in Japanese). p. 45.
2. Tanaka, Fumio (June 2002). "Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum and Steam Operations on the Yamaguchi Line". Japan Railway & Transport Review. The rapid growth of domestic industry after the turn of the century also saw a rapid increase in the number of SLs with the number peaking at 5958 in 1946.
3. Wakuda, Yasuo. "Railway Modernization and Shinkansen" (PDF). Japan Railway & Transport Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2022. In addition to locomotive-hauled trains, EMUs also began operating on the electrified lines. JNR's first long-distance EMU started operation on the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Numazu in 1950. In 1958, JNR started operating express trains with a maximum speed of 110 km/h between Tokyo and Osaka. Due to Japanese track standards, the multiple unit system with motor cars coupled to form a train, was preferred over the system using a heavy locomotive at the head of the train. From the viewpoint of terminal capacity, suburban EMUs also had the merit of dispensing with shunting of the locomotive.
4. 鉄道データファイル [Railway Data File] (in Japanese). Vol. 3. Japan: DeAgostini. March 9, 2004.
5. ^ "懐かし列車シリーズ（5）東北初の特急列車として活躍した栄光の「はつかり」物語（1ページ）｜車両｜トレたび" [Nostalgic Train Series Volume 5 - the story of the glorious Hatsukari, Tohoku's first limited express train]. トレたび - Train Journey (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
6. 時刻表1962年5月 [Timetable May 1962] (in Japanese). Japan Communications Corporation Publication Bureau. May 1962.
7. ^ 『形式キハ80・181系』 [KiHa 80 and 181 Series]. イカロスMOOK 国鉄型車両の系譜シリーズ03 (in Japanese). Ikaros Publishing. 2008. pp. 64–73. ISBN 978-4-87149-833-3.
8. Nomura, Toh (December 1961). "「特急列車試乗記『まつかぜ』号」" [Test Ride of the Limited Express Matsukaze]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). 125. Denkisya Kenkyukai Co., Ltd.
9. Yamanouchi, Shuichiro (2004). 『新幹線がなかったら』 [If There Was No Shinkansen...] (in Japanese). 朝日新聞社. ISBN 978-4022614513.
10. Toyama, Katsuhiko (February 2003). "「鉄道記録帳2002年11月」" [Railway Record Book, November 2002]. Rail Fan (in Japanese). 50. Japan Railfan Club: 20.
11. 交通公社の時刻表1976年10月号 [Timetable of Transportation Corporation October 1976 Issue] (in Japanese). Japan Transportation Corporation Publishing Business Bureau. October 1976.
12. 交通公社の時刻表1978年10月号 [Timetable of Transportation Corporation October 1978 Issue] (in Japanese). Japan Transportation Corporation Publishing Business Bureau. October 1978.
13. 交通公社の時刻表1982年11月号 [Transportation Corporation Timetable November 1982 Issue] (in Japanese). Japan Transportation Corporation Publishing Business Bureau. November 1982.
14. ^ 交通公社の時刻表1985年3月号 [Timetable of Japan Transport Corporation, March 1985] (in Japanese). Japan Communications Corporation Publication Bureau. March 1985.
15. 交通公社の時刻表1981年10月号 [Timetable of Japan Transport Corporation, October 1981] (in Japanese). Japan Communications Corporation Publication Bureau. October 1981.
16. 交通公社の時刻表1986年11月号 [Timetable of Japan Transport Corporation, November 1986] (in Japanese). Japan Communications Corporation Publication Bureau. November 1986.
17. ^ Railway Journal (in Japanese). Vol. 242. Railway Journal Co. Ltd. February 1987.
18. ^ "トマム・サホロエクスプレス JR北海道3番目のリゾート特急 札幌駅で出発式" [Tomamu Sahoro Express, JR Hokkaido's third resort express, departure ceremony at Sapporo Station]. Transportation News (in Japanese). Transportation News Co. Ltd. December 23, 1987. p. 2.
19. ^ 『東海旅客鉄道20年史』 [Tokai Railway's 20-Year History] (in Japanese). JR Central. 2007.
20. "1961年 ブルーリボン・ローレル賞選定車両 – 鉄道友の会" [1961 Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize - Japan Railfan Club]. Japan Railfan Club (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
21. ^ Rail (in Japanese). Vol. 3. Eriei Publishing Department. Spring 1981. pp. 23–26. ISBN 4-87112-153-4.
22. ^ "新車ガイド JR東海 リゾートライナー" [JR Central New Car Guide - JR Central Resort Liner]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 330: 46–51. October 1988.
23. ^ "1987年 ブルーリボン・ローレル賞選定車両 – 鉄道友の会" [1987 Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize - Japan Railfan Club]. Japan Railfan Club (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
24. "JR北海道 「フラノEXP」ラストラン 富良野駅で出発式" [Departure ceremony at Furano Station for the last run of JR Hokkaido's Furano Express]. Transportation News (in Japanese). Transportation News Co. Ltd. November 9, 1998.
25. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). March 1997. p. 16.
26. JR Shikoku News (in Japanese). Vol. 24. October 1989.
27. "JR北海道"トマムサホロエクスプレス"さよなら運転" [JR Hokkaido "Tomamu Sahoro Express" Farewell Operation]. Railway Timetable Journal (in Japanese). 223. Transportation News Co. Ltd.: 75 November 2002.
28. "ひと足お先に 京都鉄道博物館へ。（中）" [Visit the Kyoto Railway Museum ahead of time.]. Hobidas (in Japanese). Neko Publishing. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
29. 大阪の交通科学博物館、2014年4月6日に閉館…京都の新鉄道博物館に移行 [Modern Transportation Museum to close 6 April 2014 - Moving to new railway museum in Kyoto]. Yahoo News (in Japanese). Japan: Yahoo Japan Corporation. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
30. "交通科学博物館 ： 収蔵品のおはなし > キハ81形特急用ディーゼルカー". Modern Transportation Museum (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 26, 2005. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
31. "〔特集〕青函・宇高 鉄道連絡船廃止30年" [Special Feature: 30 Years after the Abolition of the Seikan/Ukko Rail Link]. J-train (in Japanese). 71. Ikaros Publishing: 6–57. October 2018.

v t e Multiple units of Hokkaido Railway Company
Current / active	Shinkansen AC EMU H5 Conventional lines AC EMUs 721 731 733 735 737 785 789 DMUs KiHa 40 KiHa 54 KiHa 141 KiHa 150 KiHa 201 KiHa 261 KiHa 283 DEMUs H100
Retired / withdrawn	Conventional lines AC/DC EMUs 485 583 AC EMUs 711 781 DMUs KiHa 22 KiHa 45 KiHa 56 KiHa 80 KiHa 130 KiHa 183 KiHa 281 KiHa 285 Non-revenue       DMUs KiHa 160 DMV

v t e Multiple units of Central Japan Railway Company
Current / active	Shinkansen EMUs N700 N700S Conventional lines (Narrow- gauge) EMUs 211 213 311 313 315 285 373 383 DMUs KiHa 11 KiHa 25 KiHa 75 Hybrid DEMUs HC85 Non-revenue EMUs 923 DMUs KiYa 95 [ja] KiYa 97 [ja]
Future	Shinkansen Maglev L0 Conventional lines EMUs 385
Retired / withdrawn	Shinkansen EMUs 0 100 300 700 Conventional lines EMUs KuMoHa 12 103 113 115 117 119 123 165 371 381 DMUs KiHa 30 KiHa 40/47/48 KiHa 58/28 [ja] KiHa 65 [ja] KiHa 80 KiHa 85 Non-revenue EMUs 922-10 300X EMUs KuMoYa 90 [ja] 145 [ja] 193 [ja]

• Central Japan Railway Company
• Diesel multiple units of Japan
• Japanese National Railways
• Hokkaido Railway Company
• Train-related introductions in 1960