In 1986, Japanese National Railways developed Kiha54-500 single-car diesel
multiple unit (DMU) trains for JR Hokkaido having weak management environment,
before the splitting of JNR into the new privatized JR companies.
The vehicle design incorporates light weight stainless construction, having two single-leaf semi automatic doors on each side and double-hang unit assembled windows. Passengers can open or close doors manually by pushing buttons. They employed sealed double-glazed windows to protection against the coldness in Hokkaido.
Bogies are DT22F which disused vehicles were equipped with, featuring coil
spring and spring rubber cover for the protection against snow. Kiha54-500
vehicles employ two flat-six arrangerment prime movers, DMF13HS, rated
at 250 PS which adopt direct injection. The hydraulic transmission gear
is TC2A/DF115A which disused vehicles were equipped with.
Seating is a mixture of transverse seating and longitudinal bench seating.
Seating for "Rebun" and "Taisetsu" express services
is switchable transverse seating which disused vehicles were equipped with.
All vehicles are equipped with a Japanese style toilet.
After the splitting of JNR into the privatized JR companies, JR Hokkaido equipped Koha54-500 with several facilities for conductor-less operation. The loudspeakers for passengers waiting at a station, are fitted instead of the buttons for semi-automatic operation. A rest room was changed into a western toilet with a chemical holding tank.
In 1998, transverse seating was changed into switchable transverse seating
or adjustable reclining seating.
In 2002, Bogies were changed into N-DT54, featuring bolster-less air suspension
and sandboxes for enhanced adhesion. Hydraulic transmission gears were
changed into N-DW54, featuring two-stage direct coupled range.
In 2007, JR Hokkaido changed some transverse seating bays into longitudinal
bench seating near the doorways to relieve overcrowding.
Kiha54-500 vehicles are now used on the rural and rapid services on unelectrified
lines in Hokkaido. |
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