KiHa 283 series


The KiHa 283 series is a tilting diesel multiple unit train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 1997. They were based on the KiHa 281 series trains introduced in 1994.

Operations

KiHa 283 series trainsets are used on the following services.
A three-car pre-production set was delivered from Fuji Heavy Industries in 1995 for evaluation and testing.
20 production vehicles were delivered from 1996, with the first trains introduced on Super Ōzora services between and from the start of the revised timetable on 22 March 1997.
A further batch of 12 vehicles was delivered to coincide with the introduction of KiHa 283s on Super Hokuto services between and, operating alongside the KiHa 281 series sets.
KiHa 283 series sets were also introduced on some Super Tokachi services between and from 11 March 2000.

2011 Sekishō Line derailment and fire

On 27 May 2011, a 6-car KiHa 283 series train was destroyed by fire after it derailed and made an emergency stop inside the 685 metre-long No. 1 Niniu Tunnel on the Sekishō Line in Shimukappu, at around 21:55, while forming the Super Ōzora 14 service from Kushiro to Sapporo. The train was formed as follows, with car 1 at the Kushiro end. All cars were gutted by fire, and were officially withdrawn on 30 June 2011.
Car No.123456
NumberKiHa 283-1KiHa 282-3001KiRo 282-7KiHa 282-1KiHa 282-101KiHa 283-9