Constructed 1958-1966 Number preserved 2 | Number built 112 | |
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In service 1958-1987 (JNR)
1987-2010 (JR)
2011- (Isumi)
2012- (PNR)
2007- (Myanmar Railways) Fleet numbers KiHa 52 1 - 56
KiHa 52 101 - 156 Operator(s) Philippine National Railways
Isumi Railway
Myanmar Railways | ||
The KiHa 52 (キハ52形, Kiha-gojūni-gata) is a Japanese diesel multiple unit (DMU) type formerly operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR), JR Group companies, and later by the private operator Isumi Railway in Japan, Myanmar Railways, and Philippine National Railways (PNR).
Contents
112 KiHa 52 cars were built for Japanese National Railways between 1958 and 1966. The design was based on the KiHa 20 series "general purpose" DMU type, but with two engines for use on mountainous lines.
Variants
Resale
Following withdrawal of the last remaining examples operated by JR-West, one car, KiHa 52 125, was resold to the private operator Isumi Railway in Chiba Prefecture in April 2011. This unit was built in 1965, and formerly operated on the Etsumi-Hoku Line and Ōito Line in the Hokuriku region until 2010.
Philippines
Seven former JR East KiHa 52 cars originally based at Niitsu Depot were donated in September 2011 to the Philippine National Railways (PNR), where they are used on commuter services in the Manila area.
As of October 2013, the trains are normally operated as two 3-car formations. The seventh car, KiHa 52 123, in Niigata livery, was taken out of service after operating for only seven months, and is stored at Tutuban Depot as a source of spare parts for the rest of the fleet.
Formations
The two three-car sets are referred to as "KIHA-O" (for orange) and "KIHA-B" (for blue), reflecting the liveries they carry, and are formed as shown below, with cars 52-137 and 52-121 at the Alabang end.
The former toilets in each car are locked out of use.
Preserved examples
In addition to KiHa 52 125 operated on the Isumi Railway, as of 2014 three Kiha 52 cars are preserved in Japan, as listed below.