KiHa 183 series
diesel multiple unit operating in Japan
The KiHa 183 series (キハ183系) is a diesel multiple unit that has been operated on express services since 1980 under Japan National Railways and later under JR Hokkaido and JR Kyushu. Some variants were eventually built, including resort trains (the KiHa 183-5000 Niseko Express, the KiHa 183-5100 Crystal Express Tomamu & Sahoro, and the KiHa 183-5200 North Rainbow Express).
The "KiHa" designation derives from the classification system used by JNR. "Ki" indicates a diesel-powered vehicle, while "Ha" indicates an ordinary passenger car, as opposed to a green car.
The sets remaining in service in Hokkaido were withdrawn after JR Hokkaido's March 18, 2023 timetable revision. Three cars (two KiHa 183-200 cars and one KiHa 183-5000 Niseko Express car) had their restoration crowdfunded and are stored in locations around Hokkaido. 17 cars were donated to the State Railway of Thailand, a further 19 cars were donated to Myanmar Railways for use on the Mandalay-Nay Pyi Taw route and services using these cars ran from 2009 until 2012, when they were withdrawn. Several units were exported to Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone after withdrawal. The remaining cars were scrapped.
History
After finishing development in 1979, the 183 series went through a year and a half of testing, before entering service in 1981.
In 1986, the 500/1500 variant was introduced, replacing the KiHa 80 series trains completely; in 1988, new owner JR Hokkaido would introduce the 550/1550 variant, which was used on limited express services.
“KiHa 183 series” enters the record as diesel multiple unit operating in Japan. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what KiHa, series and diesel can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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