KiHa 59 series

The KiHa 59 series (キハ59系) is a diesel multiple unit train type operated by Japanese National Railways and then later operated by JR Hokkaido, JR West, and JR East between 1985 and 2010, and by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) on the Metro South Commuter and Isarog Express lines since 2012. It is a reconditioned diesel train remodeled from aging JNR-Era rolling stocks converted from KiHa 56, 28 & 58 units for conversion into chartered-type trains across Japan.

History

JR Hokkaido

Alpha Continental Express
JR Hokkaido's Alpha Continental Express three-car formation in 1994
In service	1985–1995
Constructed	1968 (originally KiRo 26, KiHa 56 & KiHa 58)
Entered service	December 1985
Refurbished	1985
Scrapped	1995
Number built	4 vehicles
Number in service	None
Number preserved	2 vehicles
Number scrapped	2 vehicles
Formation	3/4 cars
Capacity	156 (Alpha Continental Express, Resort Express, Peppermint Express) 208 (JTB Panorama Express)
Operator(s)	JNR (1985–1987) JR Hokkaido (1987–1995)
Specifications
Doors	1 sliding door per side per car
Prime mover(s)	Komatsu DMF11HZ (250 hp)[1]
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

In December 1985, KiHa 59 was remodeled from KiHa 26 and KiHa 56 cars at the Naebo plant in Sapporo, Japan. It was the last resort train to be introduced by the Japanese National Railways which was privatized to be separated and destined to JR Hokkaido in Hokkaido region. The train was initially called "Alpha Continental Express" and started operating on the Ishikatsu Line as a chartered tourist train. It attracted widespread attention due to its design and facilities, and was operated as a group chartered train, and been offered temporary limited express trains all over the country against the backdrop of the resort boom before and after the era.

The Alpha Continental Express was nicknamed as "Alcon" which they only used when contracted transportation with both Tomamu and Sahoro resorts, and they also offer other services used such as "Resort Express", "Peppermint Express", and "JTB Panorama Express".

Although it was popular during that time, they also encountered different problems which became apparent when the newer rolling stocks introduced. The maximum speed was limited to 95 km/h , which made it difficult to adapt to the timetables of newer JR Hokkaido express trains, which they are struggled to perform on the lines to be arrived and depart on-time.

It has been used for nearly 10 years since the conversion and nearly 30 years since being manufactured in the 1960s. It was withdrawn in 1995.

Formations

The Alpha Continental Express trainset was formed as follows (1985 – 1995). They also offered in different train services in Hokkaido region such as "Resort Express", "Peppermint Express", but not "JTB Panorama Express" which they add one carriage in 1986, resulting in a four-car formation.

Car No.	1	2	3
Number	KiHa 59-1	KiHa 29-1	KiHa 59-2
Original number	KiHa 56-201	KiRo 26-201	KiHa 56-209

They also operated the special train service called "JTB Panorama Express" trainset which was formed as follows (1986-1995).[2][3]

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Number	KiHa 59-1	KiHa 29-1	KiHa 59-101	KiHa 59-2
Original number	KiHa 56-201	KiRo 26-201	KiHa 56-212	KiHa 56-209

• 
  "Resort Express" special train services in 1986
• 
  "Perppermint Express" special train service
• 
  JR Hokkaido's KiHa 59 Alpha Continental Express special service, the "JTB Panorama Express" in a four-car formation
• 
  JR Hokkaido KiHa 59-2 "Alpha Continental Express" in preservation

JR East

Gracia KoGaNe
The KiHa 59 series Kogane trainset in 2008
In service	1989–2010 (Japan)
Constructed	1967 (as KiHa 28 intermediate car) 1968 (originally KiHa 58)
Entered service	November 1989 (Gracia Joyful train) 2003 (Kogane)
Refurbished	1989; 2003; 2019
Number built	3 vehicles
Number in service	3 vehicles
Formation	3 cars
Capacity	84 (Gracia) 82 (Kogane)
Operator(s)	JR East (1989–2010) Philippine National Railways (2012–2014, 2019–present)
Depot(s)	Tutuban
Line(s) served	PNR Metro South Commuter (Premier Train) PNR Mayon Limited (Isarog Limited Express)
Specifications
Doors	1 sliding door per side per car
Prime mover(s)	Komatsu DMF11HZ (250 hp)[1]
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The three-car train was converted in November 1989 at JR East's Koriyama Works from former KiHa 58 and KiHa 28 diesel cars to become the KiHa 59 series Gracia Joyful Train set for use on special charter services in the Sendai area and north east of Japan.[4] The train was withdrawn in May 2003 and rebuilt to become the Kogane trainset, repainted in a white, gold, and orange livery and re-entering service from July 2003.[4]

The Kogane trainset was withdrawn from service on 26 December 2010,[5] and was subsequently shipped to the Philippines.

Formations

The Gracia trainset was formed as follows (1989 to May 2003).[4]

Car No.	1	2	3
Number	KiRo 59-510	KiRo 29-506	KiRo 59-511
Original number	KiHa 58-1038	KiHa 28-2505 (1968-71), and became KiHa 28-1505 (1971-89)[6]	KiHa 58-1039

The Kogane trainset was formed as follows (July 2003 - December 2010).[4]

Car No.	1	2	3
Number	KiHa 59-510	KiHa 29-506	KiHa 59-511

• 
  Gracia Joyful Train in 2003
• 
  KoGaNe Train in 2010

JR West

VIVA West
JR West Viva West trainset in 1990
In service	1989–1999
Constructed	1962 (as KiHa 28 & KiHa 58 intermediate car)
Entered service	July 1989
Refurbished	1989
Scrapped	1999
Number built	2 vehicles
Number in service	None
Number preserved	None
Number scrapped	2 vehicles
Formation	2 cars
Capacity	52
Operator(s)	JR West (1989–1999)
Specifications
Doors	2 sliding doors per side per car
Prime mover(s)	Komatsu DMF11HZ (250 hp)[1]
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

JR West introduced their "VIVA West" Joyful Train service in 1989.

It was formed at JR West Hiroshima works after "Resort Saloon Fiesta" train services in 1989 by remodeling former KiHa 28 and 58 series cars. The remodeling work was carried out at the Habu rolling stock plant (now the Shimonoseki General Rolling Stock Office).

It was also temporarily used as a passenger train for short train services, and ended operation after nearly ten years and was scrapped in March 1999.

Formations

The Viva West trainset was formed as follows (1989 – 1999).

Car No.	1	2
Number	KiHa 59-501	KiHa 29-501
Original number	KiHa 58-176[7]	KiHa 28-2132[8]

Overseas operations

Philippine National Railways

In its career under the Philippine National Railways, it served regular and shuttle lines, but its windshields had to be armored with steel meshes to prevent the glass from shattering due to train stoners. The unit underwent general renovation and overhaul in 2019.[9]

On September 20, 2019, the PNR Kogane trainset was used on test run and clearing operations on the Calamba-Los Baños section of the PNR Metro Commuter Line.[10]

Formations

The Kogane trainset in service with Philippine National Railways is formed as follows.[9]

Number	Kiha 59510	Kiha 29506	Kiha 59511

• 
  KiHa 59 Kogane set as "Premiere Train" for IRRI, Laguna arriving España station.
• 
  PNR's ex-Kogane train in former Japanese livery at Naga Station, 2012

References

1. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. p. 412. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
2. "キロ26車歴". kihayuni.jp. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
3. "キハ56車歴　その3". kihayuni.jp. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
4. Ogano, Minoru (2009). ジョイフルトレイン図鑑: 国鉄からJrへ。時代を駆け抜けた花形列車の記録 ジョイフルトレイン図鑑 [Joyful Train Directory] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: JTB Can Books. p. 78, 147. ISBN 978-4-533-07720-3.
5. 「ありがとうこがねふかひれキャンペーン」について [Details of "Thank you Kogane Campaign"] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company - Sendai Division. 17 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
6. "キハ28車歴　その5". kihayuni.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
7. "キハ58車歴　その2". kihayuni.jp. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
8. "キハ28車歴　その2". kihayuni.jp. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
9. "フィリピン国鉄 KIHA59「KOGANE」が営業運転に復帰" [Philippine National Railways KIHA59 "KOGANE" returns to commercial operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
10. Cinco, Maricar. "PNR extends train trips to Los Baños". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 20 September 2019.