JR Hokkaido, which succeeded in the improvement in the speed between Sapporo-Hakodate by development of Kiha281 series, delivered the pre-production type of Kiha283 series in 1995, in order to make the necessary time between Sapporo and Kushiro shorter.
Kiha281 series adopt the lightweight stainless steel body. Cab ends use
steel construction to secure the strength. The vehicle design incorporates
raised drivers cab and the pass-through door in front of the body. The
body centre of gravity is lowered from Kiha281 series by installation of
air-conditioners on the floor etc.
Kiha283 series are equipped with 2 same traction engines, N-DMF11HZA a
vehicle as Kiha281 series and are equipped with hydraulic transmission
gears, N-DW18. So Kiha283 series has achieved high gradability and high
acceleration power. The brake system is the electric command brake, incorporating
the exhaust braking. Brake shoes are special cast iron made at Naebo Depot.
Bogie truck with bolster, N-DT283, features built-in bearing guide for
body tilting system, self-steering mechanism, and increased the tilting
angle at 5 degrees to 6 degrees to realize speeding up in the curve. Moreover,
in order to make swing width at passenger's feet small, height of tilting
centre has been lowered 400mm compared with Kiha281 series.
All seats are adjustable reclining. 1st class vehicles have 1+2 abreast
seating and seat pitch is 1145mm and standard class vehicles have 2+2 abreast
seating and seat pitch is 960mm.
The mass-production type of Kiha283 series appeared in 1996, and entered "Super O-zora" services between Sapporo-Kushiro in 1997. Further batch of Kiha283 series entered "Super Hokuto" intercity services between Sapporo and Hakodate in 1998, and "Super Tokachi" intercity services between Sapporo and Obihiro. But Kiha283 series were withdrawn from "Super Hokuto" intercity services and "Super Tokachi" intercity services. Maximum service speed was reduced to 110km/h from 2013. |
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