Background and overview
Commuter demand in the Sapporo area increased year by year. However, diesel
multiple units operating beyond the electrified section from Otaru had
limited capacity and performance, constraining the ability to increase
service capacity between Otaru and Sapporo. To address this, JR Hokkaido
developed the Kiha201 series DMU in 1996, delivering performance comparable
to EMUs and adopting a traction system enabling multiple working with 731
series EMUs. Four 3‑car sets were built, each set comprising two end cars
(Kiha201-100 and Kiha201-300) and one intermediate car (KiHa201-200).
Car body
The carbody of the Kiha201 series measures 20,800 mm in length and 2,812 mm in width, allowing up to 2 degrees of tilting within the loading gauge. The bogie centre distance is 14,400 mm. The structure is primarily composed of lightweight stainless steel, except for the bolster beams, end sections of the centre beam, and selected cross members, which are fabricated from corrosion-resistant steel plate.
The exterior features unpainted bead-processed stainless panels, accented by light green and blue waistline bands running the full length of the car below the windows. The floor level is 50 mm lower than that of the 721 series EMU to reduce boarding and alighting time.
The cab ends are gangwayed and constructed from steel, featuring a high-mounted
driver's cab and shock-absorbing structures for protection against level-crossing
obstacles. An automatic gangway connection device is provided to facilitate
rush-up operations. A destination rollsign is mounted above the gangway
door, flanked by clusters of shielded-beam headlights and LED taillights
on either side. Additional clusters comprising shielded-beam headlights
and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps are also installed on both sides
of the gangway door.
Each car is equipped with three 1,200 mm wide single-leaf automatic stepped sliding doors, which can also be operated manually via push buttons located adjacent to each door. Between the sliding doors, two fixed windows measuring 945 mm in height and 2,000 mm in width are installed. Door operating equipment (type TK103A) is mounted above the door headers.
A roller-binding destination screen is fitted on each side of the carbody. An air-conditioning unit (type N-AU201), rated at 30,000 kcal/h, is installed at the centre of the roof.
Bogies
The Kiha201 series is equipped with N-DT201 bogies, each comprising one driving axle and one driven axle. These bogies feature bolster-less secondary air suspension, a trailing arm–type journal box support system, a single-link traction gear, and yaw dampers to ensure smooth ride characteristics even at speeds up to 130 km/h.
The wheel diameter is reduced to 810 mm to lower the floor level. Tilting
control is achieved through an inclination control system using gyroscopes
and accelerometers mounted at both ends of the train, combined with a leader–follower
control logic that defines a unified “tilting curve” for the entire formation.
This system enables curve negotiation at speeds up to 25 km/h faster than
conventional limits, with a maximum tilt angle of 2 degrees.
The bogies employ a double-tread brake rigging with high-adhesion alloy cast iron brake shoes.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Each vehicle is powered by two diesel engines (type N-DMF13HZE), each rated at 450 PS and equipped with an intercooler to enhance power output. Power is transmitted via a hydraulic transmission unit (type N-DW16), which features natural air cooling and a four-stage direct-coupled range, enabling a maximum service speed of 130 km/h and high gradient performance.
The vehicles are equipped with two generators that supply electricity to the auxiliary power system. These generators are hydraulically driven by the prime movers, eliminating the need for belt drive mechanisms.
The braking system is electrically commanded and includes a jake brake function.
Accommodation
Passenger accommodation consists entirely of longitudinal bench seating, with an individual seat width of 455 mm per person. Two stanchions are installed to divide the seating into three sections. Fold-down auxiliary seats are provided adjacent to the doorways at both ends of the vehicle to increase standing capacity and facilitate boarding and alighting during peak hours.
As these vehicles do not include vestibule areas like those found on the earlier 721 series trains, air curtains are mounted above the doorways and electric blow heaters are installed beside them to reduce the ingress of cold outside air into the heated passenger cabin. Roller blinds have been omitted.
Intermediate cars (Class KiHa201-200) are equipped with a Japanese-style toilet located at the front and a wheelchair space located at the rear.
Operations
Kiha201 series DMUs entered revenue service in March 1997, operating on the Hakodate Line between Kutchan and the Sassho Line. In 2000, they were also introduced on "Niseko Liner" rapid services linking Rankoshi and Sapporo.
They were withdrawn from local services on the Sassho Line in 2012 following
the start of electrified operations on that line. Currently, Kiha201 series
trains are deployed on local and rapid services within the Sapporo area. |
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