The KiHa E120 (キハE120形) is a single-car diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) since November 2008.[2]

KiHa E120
KiHa E120 operated on Tadami Line, March 2020
In service2008–Present
ManufacturerNiigata Transys
ReplacedKiHa 52, KiHa 58
Constructed2008
Number built8 vehicles
Number in service8 vehicles
FormationSingle car
Capacity114 (39 seated)[1]
OperatorsJR East
DepotsAizu-Wakamatsu
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length19,500 mm (64 ft 0 in)[1]
Width2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)[1]
DoorsTwo pairs per side
Maximum speed100 km/h (60 mph)[1]
Weight38.5 t (37.9 long tons; 42.4 short tons)[1]
Prime mover(s)Komatsu DMF15HZ x1
Power output331 kW (444 hp)[1]
TransmissionHydraulic
BogiesDT74 (motored)
TR259 (trailer)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

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Eight cars (numbered KiHa E120-1 to 8) are based at Aizu-Wakamatsu Depot and were used on the following routes.

Former operations

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Until March 2020, eight cars (numbered KiHa E120-1 to 8) were based at Niitsu Depot and were used interchangeably with KiHa 110 series DMUs on the following routes.[3]

Exterior

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KiHa E120 in original color, at Imaizumi Station, in July 2009

The body design is based on the KiHa E200 DMU, and uses a new diesel engine reducing NOx emissions.[4]

Externally, the orange colour scheme is intended to evoke the autumn leaf colour of the beech forests of the Iide mountains in Niigata, Fukushima, and Yamagata Prefectures.[5]

In 2020, the livery of all cars was changed from orange one to green one, at the same time as the transfer from Niitsu Depot to Aizu-Wakamatsu Depot.[6]

Interior

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Passenger accommodation consists of 1+2 abreast facing seating bays in the centre of each car, and longitudinal bench seating at the ends of cars. Each car has a universal access toilet.[3]

The cars are equipped with fare machines for use on wanman driver-only-operated services.[5]

History

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Eight cars were built by Niigata Transys in May 2008, entering revenue service from 1 November 2008.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "キハE120形一般形気動車" [KiHa 120 DMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 48, no. 569. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. September 2008. pp. 51–56.
  2. ^ JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. p. 478. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  3. ^ a b c Nishiwaki, Kōji (January 2012). "JR各社の新世代気動車の現状 JR東日本キハE120・E130・E131・E132形" [The Current Situation of JR Group Modern DMUs: JR East KiHa E120/E130/E131/E132]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 609. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. pp. 98–101.
  4. ^ "JR東日本新潟支社で新型気動車キハE120形を投入" [JR East Niigata Branch to introduce new KiHa E120 DMU]. Hobidas (in Japanese). Neko Publishing. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
  5. ^ a b 【鉄道ファン必見】ブナ色の気動車「キハE120形」 飯豊連峰望み進行!. Sankei News (in Japanese). 22 June 2008. Archived from the original on 8 August 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  6. ^ "キハE120形の転属が完了". railf.jp. 13 March 2020.
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