KiHa 35


The KiHa 35 series, along with the similar KiHa 30 and KiHa 36 series, are Japanese diesel multiple unit train types formerly operated by the Japanese National Railways and JR Group of companies, and later operated by the private railway operators Kanto Railway and Mizushima Rinkai Railway. They were built from 1961 until 1966, and were widely used around Japan. Most units were withdrawn in 2012 with the exception of those used by private railways, which remained in service. Some were later operated by Philippine National Railways on Bicol Commuter Train since 2015, and on Metro South Commuter services since 2017.

History

About 410 cars were built from 1961 to 1966.
After about 50 years of service, they were replaced by newer railcars. The last units, 30 62, 30 98 and 30 100, were withdrawn from service in December 2012. The units used on Kururi Line services were withdrawn on 1 December 2012, and were replaced by KiHa E130 series units.

Variants

Multiple variants of the KiHa 35 were built, like the KiHa 30 and KiHa 36. The KiHa 35 Series were built to a single cab design, and has toilets, while the KiHa 30 series were built to a double cab design without toilets.

Specifications

The car bodies are made of steel, with a length of and a width of. Stainless steel construction is used for some sub-variants. They are fitted with Cummins DMH17 diesel engines. The Kururi Line units used DMF14-HZ engines.

Overseas operations

In September 2015 six former Kanto Railway Jōsō Line KiHa 35 railcars were transferred to Philippine National Railways for use on Bicol Commuter and Metro Commuter services.
They are divided into three two-car sets.
They started commercial operation in September 2015 in Naga and Legaspi in the Bicol Region. Because of the steep slopes on the line, they are now pulled by a locomotive.
The third formation is stored at Tayuman shed and is used as a spare car. After two years it entered service in September 2017, but it takes only one or two round trips a day because of its existence as a spare car.

Resale

Aizu Railway

In 1999, Aizu Railway bought a surplus diesel vehicle from JR East's KiHa 30-18 which was supposedly to be scrapped in 1996 to be modified & converted as a sightseeing diesel car and reclassified as AT-300 series rolling stock. It was remodeled inside Niigata, Japan into chartered-type train which attract tourists to generate better income due to the number of passengers decreased due to the economic slowdown in the late 1990s and the impact on the local economy was large, so it was necessary to take measures to increase transportation demand, such as Okawa Valley It was planned to introduce additional trains for the purpose of appreciating the scenery along the railroad. Due to the business situation of the Aizu Railway, it was difficult to introduce sightseeing vehicles on its own. It appeared as Japan's first self-propelled minecart. It started operation on April 29, 1999, and in the first year it was operated with AT-300 series and AT-150 series coupled together with the same paint livery so that the passengers could evacuate in case of rain, The AT-103 series was also remodeled from July 2000 as a two-car train to be coupled with the AT-103 series. However, The AT-400 series was introduced as a "Oza Toro Train" from 2003 as an observation vehicle as a "Torokko train" of the three-car train was added to Aizuwakamatsu - Aizukōgen-Ozeguchi Station was operated between July 12, 2003, where the 13th day express Abukuma been headed over to, Hobara Station - Tsukinoki Station. It was operated two round trips each day. But in 2009, it was replaced by AT-350 series and is currently stored in the Ashinomaki Onsen Station as of now.

Kanto Railway

Kanto Railway's former JR East KiHa 30/35 railcars were renumbered from 1988 to 1993.
KiHa 35
Former body No.New body No.
KiHa 36-28KiHa 351
KiHa 35-182KiHa 352
KiHa 35-183KiHa 353
KiHa 35–190KiHa 354
KiHa 36-30KiHa 355
KiHa 36-26KiHa 356
KiHa 36-15KiHa 357
KiHa 35–113KiHa 358
KiHa 35–169KiHa 359
KiHa 35–121KiHa 3510
KiHa 35-187KiHa 3511
KiHa 35–148KiHa 3512
KiHa 35-191KiHa 3513
KiHa 35–150KiHa 3514
KiHa 35-193KiHa 3515
KiHa 35-188KiHa 3516
KiHa 35–59KiHa 3517
KiHa 36-17KiHa 3518
KiHa 35–163KiHa 3519
KiHa 35–134KiHa 3520
KiHa 35–170KiHa 3521
KiHa 35–165KiHa 3522
KiHa 35–81KiHa 3523

KiHa 30
Former Body No.New Body No.
KiHa 30-16KiHa 301
KiHa 30–43KiHa 302
KiHa 30–50KiHa 303
KiHa 30-7KiHa 304
KiHa 30–54KiHa 305
KiHa 30–55KiHa 306
KiHa 30–94KiHa 307
KiHa 30–95KiHa 308
KiHa 30–86KiHa 309
KiHa 30–90KiHa 3010
KiHa 30–56KiHa 3011
KiHa 30-23KiHa 3012
KiHa 30–96KiHa 3013
KiHa 30–49KiHa 3014
KiHa 30-29KiHa 3015
KiHa 30-25KiHa 3016

Mizushima Rinkai Railway

In 2014, The KiHa 30 98 and 30 100 were transferred to the Mizushima Rinkai Railway, where they entered service from 12 May 2014.

Preserved examples

Three KiHa 30 and 35 railcars are preserved in the following areas.