KiHa 285 series

The KiHa 285 series (キハ285系) was a tilting diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type developed by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), originally intended for use on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan. One three-car trainset was completed in September 2014 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, but plans to construct any further KiHa 285 series trains were cancelled the same month, and the trainset built was scrapped without entering revenue service.

For the 285 series Limited Express "Sunrise Express" electric multiple unit, see 285 series.
KiHa 285 series
The KiHa 285 series set being cut up in March 2017
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries
Built atKobe
Constructed2014
Scrapped2017
Number built3 vehicles
Formation3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersHB-901
Operator(s)JR Hokkaido
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Maximum speed140 km/h (85 mph)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

The KiHa 285 series train uses a new compound tilting system, which tilts the train vehicles by up to 8 degrees using a pendular system (tilt of up to 6 degrees) combined with air suspension tilting (tilt of up to 2 degrees).[1] The train also uses a new motor-assisted ("MA") hybrid diesel traction system, which supplements conventional diesel traction with batteries, inverters, and electric motors.[1] The train was designed to allow a maximum speed of 140 km/h (85 mph) even on curves.[2] Total development costs for the train came to 2.5 billion yen.[3]

Formation

The single three-car set built was numbered HB-901, and formed as shown below.[4]

Numbering KiHa 285-901KiHa 284-901KiHa 285-902

History

Design work for the prototype KiHa 285 series train commenced in April 2011.[5] On 10 September 2014, JR Hokkaido announced that it was terminating development and production of further trains following the completion of one three-car set built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[5] The decision was made following reassessments of priorities by JR Hokkaido, with a shift away from focusing on increasing operating speeds to reduce journey time, with a greater focus on safety and maintenance costs through standardization of its diesel fleet.[5] Ageing diesel trains were instead replaced by KiHa 261 series trains, first introduced in 2000.[5]

The three-car trainset was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe to JR Hokkaido's Naebo Works in September 2014.[4] After undergoing low-speed testing within the confines of Naebo Works, the set was first test-run on the Hakodate Main Line on 31 October 2014.[6]

Following the cancellation of further production, JR Hokkaido initially considered the possibility of converting the three-car trainset for use as a track and overhead wire inspection train.[3]

The three cars were officially removed from the JR Hokkaido fleet list on 31 March 2015.[7] In April 2016, JR Hokkaido revealed that the complex design of the train made conversion more expensive than the option of purchasing a new purpose-built inspection train,[3] and work to cut up the train commenced in March 2017.[2]

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References
  1. 新型特急車両の開発中止について [Cancellation of development of new limited express trains] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Hokkaido Railway Company. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  2. 開発費２５億円の夢、鉄くずに　ＪＲ北海道、新型特急試作車を解体 [Prototype JR Hokkaido limited express train to be cut up - Dream costing 2.5 billion yen turned to scrap metal]. Doshin Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Hokkaido Shimbun Press. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  3. 新型特急２８５系　未使用で廃車へ　開発に２５億円　ＪＲ北海道 [JR Hokkaido to scrap unused 285 series limited express train with development costs of 2.5 billion yen]. Doshin Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Hokkaido Shimbun Press. 26 April 2016. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. キハ285系3両が甲種輸送される [Three KiHa 285 series cars delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  5. "JR北海道、新型特急車両の開発を中止 - 当面はキハ261系気動車の製作を継続" [JR Hokkaido cancels development of new limited express trains - Will continue building KiHa 261 series diesel trains for foreseeable future]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 10 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  6. キハ285系が本線試運転 [KiHa 285 series test run on main line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 1 November 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  7. JR車両のデータバンク [JR Rolling Stock Databank]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56 no. 663. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2016. p. Appendix 37.
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