Background and overview
Based on the results of the revenue-earning services operated by pre-production class kiha100-0 sets, JR East developed single-ended class kiha111-100 and kiha112-100 DMU trains in 1991 along with mass-production class kiha110-0. Class Kiha111-100 vehicles are equipped with a toilet, while the Kiha112-100 are not. Eight vehicles of each type were initially delivered to Koriyama depot.
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Car body
The vehicles have carbodies measuring 19,500 mm in length and 2,928 mm in width, with a bogie centre distance of 13,800 mm. The body skin is fabricated from 1.6‑mm‑thick steel plate, while the roof uses 1.2‑mm plate. The floor height is 1,175 mm, which is 100 mm lower than that of earlier DMU types. The shoulders of the side structure, the underframe side beams, and the corners of the end structures feature chamfered profiles. The gangwayed cab incorporates a low profile driver’s cab, and an obstacle deflector is fitted beneath it.
Two rectangular sealed‑beam headlights are installed above the gangway door, and rectangular taillights are mounted in the upper section behind the windscreen. Destination rollsigns are installed above the driver’s‑side windscreen and on the side walls.
Each vehicle is equipped with two 1,060‑mm‑wide automatic stepped sliding plug doors controlled by the PD‑O2A door operating system. One door is located immediately behind the cab, while the other is positioned toward the rear of the body. The doors can also be operated manually using the buttons installed beside them. The step height at the doorway is 1,036 mm. Fixed windows measuring 1,080 mm in width and employing laminated glass are fitted between the doors.
The vehicles are equipped with two outdoor units of the prime‑mover‑driven AU26J‑A air‑conditioning system, rated at 15,500 kcal/h, mounted beneath the floor. Two bus‑type ventilation fans and two indoor air‑conditioning units are installed on the roof. The exhaust pipe of the prime mover is located inside the cab.
Tight‑lock couplers with automatic jumper couplers are fitted at both ends to facilitate rapid coupling during rush‑up operations. The livery consists of a very pale green base with moss‑green accents applied to the chamfered areas.
Bogies
The powered bogies are type DT58A, incorporating a two‑axle drive system, while the trailer bogies are type TR242. Both bogie types feature bolster‑less secondary air suspension, a cone‑shaped multilayer rubber‑spring journal‑support system, and a Watts‑linkage draw gear. They have a wheelbase of 2,100 mm and employ unit‑assembled single‑tread brake rigging. The gear ratio of the powered bogies is set to 2.925.
Powertrain and ancillary equipment
The vehicles are powered by a DMF13HZA prime mover manufactured by Niigata Engineering Co., Ltd. This four‑cycle, straight‑six diesel engine develops 420 PS and is equipped with an exhaust‑gas‑driven turbocharger and an intercooler. The hydraulic transmission, designated as type DW14A‑B, features a three‑element single‑stage torque converter, a multi‑plate wet clutch, and a two‑stage direct‑coupled range. The prime mover and hydraulic transmission are controlled by a programmable logic controller to reduce the amount of control equipment and improve reliability.
The braking system is an electric‑command pneumatic brake with a retarder. When the retarder is no longer able to provide the specified braking force, the pneumatic brake supplements it.
Accommodation
The interior features a mixture of longitudinal bucket‑style bench seating and 2+1-abreast transverse bucket‑style seating bays with a seating pitch of 1,490 mm. The saloon is illuminated by two rows of covered fluorescent light fixtures, and a water‑heating system is installed beneath the seats.
The air‑conditioning duct is mounted on the ceiling shoulders, with spot diffusers installed on the duct surface and above the side windows to ensure even airflow distribution.
Kiha111‑100 vehicles are equipped with a Japanese‑style toilet constructed from fibre‑reinforced plastic, located immediately in front of the rear door. The master controller uses a lateral‑motion operating handle.
Additional delivery
A total of three two‑car sets were delivered to the Koumi Line in December 1991. In February 1992, a further ten two‑car sets were delivered to the Hitachi‑Daigo Depot.
Operations
The vehicles were delivered to the Koriyama, Koumi, Niitsu, and Hitachi‑Daigo Depots between 1991 and 1992 for use on rural services on the Banetsu‑East, Koumi, and Suigun Lines. Vehicles assigned to the Suigun Line were replaced by Class KihaE130 series DMUs and subsequently transferred to the Morioka and Kogota Depots.
They are currently deployed on rural services on the Yamada, Rikuu‑East, Ishinomaki, and Koumi Lines. |
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