KiHa 261 series

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]

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

KiHa 261 series
KiHa 261 series on a Super Sōya service in February 2010
In service2000–Present
ManufacturerFuji Heavy Industries, JR Hokkaido
Constructed1998–
Number under construction28 vehicles
Number built35 vehicles
Number in service35 vehicles
Formation4-6 cars per trainset
Operator(s)JR Hokkaido
Depot(s)Naebo
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length21,300 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)
Width2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in) (261-0)
2,928 mm (9 ft 7.3 in)(261-1000)
Height4,012 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 (460 hp) x1 or 2 per car
TransmissionHydraulic
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

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. 1234
Numbering KiRoHa 261-200KiHa 260-200KiHa 260-100KiHa 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. 123456
Numbering KiRoHa 261-200KiHa 260-200KiHa 260-100KiHa 261-100KiHa 260-100KiHa 261-100
Car No. 21221234
Numbering KiRoHa 261-200KiHa 260-200KiRoHa 261-200KiHa 260-200KiHa 260-100KiHa 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. 1234
Numbering KiRo 261-1100KiHa 260-1100KiHa 260-1200KiHa 261-1200

Interior
  • Interior of Green car KiRo 261-1102 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 ST1203 in revised colour scheme in May 2016

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]

References
  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
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