KiToSha! Diesel Car
I am a big Japan KIHA(Diesel Car) fan. Honestly, I was a little afraid to see or ride Steam trains when I was a kid, because I was afraid it will erupt sometimes. However, the Diesel Car is more safely. And it is true: The reason railway switch their use of Gasoline Car to Diesel Car is caused by too many accidents. Such as the famous accident near Osaka in 1940, 192 people died caused by a gasoline car burnt.
The original idea to build those kind of Running "Coach" is saving money on some local lines. In Japan, Kisha KS built coach with steam engine in early this century. The
Kiha 6401
Kiha 6401 is a good example. It is
preserved in Meijimura in Nagoya. Taiwan had bought 6 similar trains in Japan era, but all gone early. It is not a Diesel car, but has relationship with the Diesel trains.
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JNR's Kiha 10 series & Taiwan's DR2100-2600
Those style diesel cars are my all-time favorite. Especially, I like those cars with BUS WINDOW. It is really cool and attractive. The JNR original painted Kiha11(left photo) is preserved in , Japan. It was made by Tokyu in 1950s. Taiwan's DR(Diesel Car) on the right photo is converted from very old 1930s Japan made Gasoline car(Class 2300 and 2400 are like JNR Kiha07 very much) following those Japan DC's style. DR2100-2400s were rebuilt to the similar style as JNR Diesel car. Now, they are still running in the local line of Taiwan. Sadly, DR2500 & DR2600 have retired several years ago, and only one left. Because TRA will put some new Diesel car into service in the near future, those DR2100-DR2400s may be gone soon. Their long life will come to the end. I am so sad about this.
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JNR's Kiha 52
Kiha 10 series is a very useful DC in Japan. It went to serve in early 1950s. Then, JNR introduced bigger size Kiha20 series to serve. The Kiha52 as I showed above is the 2-engines design in the Kiha20 series family. They were built in late 1950s. Not too many Kiha 20 series are alive now in JR. I went to KyuShu in 1996 and took this photo. As I knew at that time, JR KyuShu had only 3 left!
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JNR's Kiha 58
Kiha58 series must be a very successful DC in Japan. It first went to serve in 1961, and total 859 Kiha58s were built. Kiha58 is a DC with 2 engines. Its sister Kiha28 just only has 1 engine and totally 444 cars were made. Now, they are still running in some local line especially in JR West. Because those Kiha58 series are still in good condition, so JR provided them to Thai and Saharin of Russia for 2nd life. The railroad gauge in Saharin is 1067mm as Japan, so it is no problem. However, the Thai Railroad is 1000mm gauge, so they need to convert bogie a little. Many of them are still with JR painting. It is really interesting to see those Japan trains wearing Japanese Clothes running in other countries!
181 Limited Express DC
The "Kiha" name in Japan stands for 3rd class DC. "Ki" means "Kitosha"(Diesel Car), and "Ha" means "3rd class". Most DC in Japan used the name, "Kiha", because they are not 2nd class passenger trains. However, there are some Green-Car coaches in those DC family and other Limited Express DC. They will get a name as Kiro instead of Kiha. I do like those Limited Express DC, too. The 81 series DC is my favorite, because its bonnet shape is so CUTE, but it was replaced by 82 series DC very early.I just only can see it in Osaka's Railway Museum. On the other hand, I like 181 series Limited Express DC, too. I have ridden those 181 DC in SanYin mainline for many times, especially when the Asasio Limited Express would replace by the EC in Mar 1996. I ran to there to see their last run! The above photo is the 181 series DC in SanYin mainline. I took this photo in 1993.
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JR's New Generation DC
The above left photo is 85 series DC. It is my favorite new generation DC in Japan. I took this photo in Takayama mainline. It ran Kiha82 series DC there before, but later replaced by this Kiha85. Although the retire of Kiha82 lets me upset, but new Kiha85 is not too bad. Its strong power is better than some EMU in Taiwan! And its streamline shape is so "Smart" (This is a Japanese meaning!). I wish TRA buy it before, but they can not accept this concept.
The new generation local line DC in Japan have many different faces. Kiha 110 series is my favorite. Their size is a little smaller than other DCs, because they need to run in some small local line. There are many different styles such as Kiha111, Kiha112....etc in their family.
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