In service 1997–Present Constructed 1995–2001 Number in service 57 vehicles | Manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries Number built 63 vehicles | |
 | ||
Number scrapped 6 vehicles (accident damage) | ||
The KiHa 283 series (キハ283系) is a tilting diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 1997. They were based on the KiHa 281 series trains introduced in 1994.
Contents
Operations
KiHa 283 series trainsets are used on the following services.
History
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 Sapporo and Kushiro 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 Hakodate and Sapporo, operating alongside the KiHa 281 series sets.
KiHa 283 series sets were also introduced on some Super Tokachi services between Sapporo and Obihiro 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, Hokkaidō, 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 All cars were gutted by fire, and were officially withdrawn on 30 June 2011.