KiHa 120

The KiHa 120 (キハ120形, Kiha-120-kei) is a single-car diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on its rural lines in Japan. Based on Niigata Tekkō's "NDC" lightweight diesel car design intended for third sector operators (such as Matsuura Railway, Takachiho Railway, and Kumagawa Railway), a total of 89 cars were built, with the class divided into three sub-classes: KiHa 120-0, KiHa 120-200, and KiHa 120-300.[1]

KiHa 120
Okayama-based KiHa 120-300 on the Inbi Line in April 2009
Manufacturer	JR-West (Gotō Works), Niigata Tekko
Constructed	1991–1996
Entered service	March 1992
Refurbished	2017-
Number built	89 vehicles
Number in service	88 vehicles
Number scrapped	1 vehicle (KiHa 120-358, accident damage)
Formation	Single car unit
Operator(s)	JR-West
Depot(s)	Fukui, Hamada, Hiroshima, Kameyama, Kisuki, Okayama, Shimonoseki, Toyama
Line(s) served	Various
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel (KiHa 120-200) Stainless steel (KiHa 120-0/300)
Car length	16,300 mm (53 ft 6 in)
Width	2,998 mm (9 ft 10.0 in) (KiHa 120-200) 3,188 mm (10 ft 5.5 in) (KiHa 120-0/300)
Doors	2 folding doors per side
Maximum speed	95 km/h (59 mph)
Weight	26.9 t (KiHa 120-0) 25.9 t (KiHa 120-200) 27.7 t (KiHa 120-300)
Prime mover(s)	SA6D125H-1
Power output	250 hp (at 2,000 rpm) (KiHa 120-200) 330 hp (at 2,000 rpm) (KiHa 120-0/300)
Transmission	Hydraulic
Bogies	WDT53 (driving), WT237 (trailing)
Braking system(s)	Engine brake, Air brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-SW
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Variants

KiHa 120-200

Eight first-batch cars were built in 1992. These had painted steel bodies, two-pane windows, transverse and longitudinal seating, and no toilets. All cars were later modified with the addition of toilets.[1]

• 
  Interior view of KiHa 120-208 in March 2007

KiHa 120-0

22 second-batch cars were built in 1993, including three cars built at JR-West's Gotō Works. These had uprated engines, stainless steel bodies, single-pane windows, longitudinal seating, and no toilets. All cars were later modified with the addition of toilets.[1][2]

KiHa 120-300

59 third-batch cars were built between 1994 and 1996, including 19 cars built at JR-West's Gotō Works. These were similar in design to the KiHa 120-0 subclass, but were built with some transverse seating. Although not initially built with toilets, all cars were modified with the addition of toilets from 2005.[1][2]

• 
  Interior of a refurbished car

Livery variations

• 
  Fukui-based KiHa 120-205 in original livery in April 2008
• 
  Fukui-based KiHa 120-201 in revised livery in August 2011
• 
  Hamada-based KiHa 120-321 in September 2008
• 
  Hiroshima-based KiHa 120-324 in November 2008
• 
  Kameyama-based KiHa 120-303 in March 2006
• 
  Kameyama-based KiHa 120-301 refurbished car in May 2018
• 
  Kisuki-based KiHa 120-206 in original livery in September 2007
• 
  Kisuki-based KiHa 120-206 in revised livery in April 2017
• 
  Kisuki-based KiHa 120-5
• 
  Okayama-based KiHa 120-334 in July 2006
• 
  Shimonoseki-based KiHa 120-332 in September 2007
• 
  Toyama-based KiHa 120-300s in August 2009

References

1. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
2. Nishiwaki, Kōji (November 2010). JR各社の新世代気動車の現状　JR西日本キハ120形 [The Current Situation of JR Group Modern DMUs: JR-West KiHa 120]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 50 no. 595. Japan: Kōyūsha. pp. 100–105.