KiHa 56 series

The KiHa 56 series is a low-capacity commuter diesel multiple unit operated initially by the Japanese National Railways and later by the Hokkaido Railway Company from 1961 to 2002. In essence, these were a variant of the KiHa 58 series cars that were optimized for use in cold weather.
==History==
In the 1950s, most express trains were locomotive-hauled and were usually slow compared to diesel railcars in other regions. Cars manufactured for use in Hokkaido were usually not manufactured in large quantities as they required special equipment for them to be cold and snow resistant; as such, the number of trains in Hokkaido was usually insufficient, with transport usually tight in those areas.
While the recent KiHa 55 series cars were highly successful and built a network of semi-express train lines throughout Japan, they were not optimized for use in cold climates. The cars did see some use in Hokkaido, but were quickly returned to Honshū during the winter as measures for the cars to resist the cold were not taken, and a long string of KiHa 22 series cars would be used instead. As such, it became clear that a new set of cars had to be built.
Alongside the production of the KiHa 58 series cars were the KiHa 56 series cars, intended for use in Hokkaido's harsh wintry climate. The cars began service in 1961 alongside the KiHa 58 series cars, and were often run in express services along the region. The introduction of the KiHa 56 series cars was well-received, for they had higher speeds and better ride comfort than the steam locomotive-hauled trains which were mainstream at the time in Hokkaido.
The cars were a mainstay in Hokkaido service until about 1981, when they began becoming surplus due to the introduction of newer and better cars, such as the KiHa 183 series; these were then slowly scrapped. When JNR was privatized, ownership of the remaining cars was assumed by JR Hokkaido. By 2002, all cars were withdrawn. A total of 11 cars are preserved throughout Japan.
==Design==
The KiHa 56 series use a squared-off design similar to many other railcars of the time, featuring dual top-mounted sealed beam headlights. The cars are painted with a Cream No.4 "Wheat" base coat with Red No.4 "Scarlet" accents, the standard livery for JNR's diesel express cars.
==Specifications==
Construction is of steel. Compared to the KiHa 58 series cars, the KiHa 56 series cars feature smaller side windows, a parallel-connected underfloor hot water radiator, wooden flooring as opposed to linoleum or steel plates and hot water pipes as anti-freeze measures for important equipment. The KiHa 56 series cars are equipped with a 178 HP (180 PS) DMH17H prime mover, with power transmitted through a Niigata Converter hydraulic transmission.
==Preservation==
The following KiHa 56 series cars have been preserved:
Car number 	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Previous sets	Location 	Notes
KiHa 56 23 	Niigata Tekkō 	October 1961 	March 1987 	N/A 	Otaru City General Museum, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors, coupled to other two cars located in establishment
KiHa 27 11 	Tokyu Car Corporation	March 1961 	March 1987 	N/A 	Otaru City General Museum, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors, only preserved car with prototype body cross-section, coupled to other two cars located in establishment
KiRo 26 107	Teikoku Sharyō 	March 1966 	March 1987 	N/A 	Otaru City General Museum, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors, coupled to other two cars located in establishment
KiHa 27 23 	Tokyu Car Corporation	March 1962 	February 1987	N/A 	Mikasa Railway Memorial Hall, Mikasa, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors
KiRo 26 104	Teikoku Sharyō 	April 1965 	February 1987	N/A 	Mikasa Railway Memorial Hall, Mikasa, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors
KiHa 56 16 	Niigata Tekkō 	October 1961 	February 1987	N/A 	Mikasa Railway Memorial Hall, Mikasa, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors
KiHa 27 36 	Tokyu Car Corporation	April 1962 	March 1988 	N/A 	Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan 	Privately owned, painted all-over white; poor cosmetic condition
KiHa 27 109	Teikoku Sharyō 	April 1965 	March 1990 	N/A 	Former Kami-Okoppe Station, Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido, Japan 	Displayed outdoors
KiHa 27 113	Teikoku Sharyō 	November 1965 	March 1987 	N/A 	Tokoro, Hokkaido, Japan 	Painted all-over navy blue, acts as insectarium
KiHa 27 551	Niigata Tekkō 	March 1968 	March 2001 	N/A 	Okuhida Garden Hotel Yakedake, Takayama, Japan 	Ex-KiHa 27 203, painted blue with golden stripe
KiHa 27 552	Niigata Tekkō 	September 1968 	March 2001 	N/A 	Okuhida Garden Hotel Yakedake, Takayama, Japan 	Ex-KiHa 27 208, painted blue with golden stripe
KiHa 56 201	Niigata Tekkō 	June 1968 	October 1995 	N/A 	Hokkaido Railway Technology Museum, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan	Cab only
KiHa 56 209	Niigata Tekkō 	September 1968 	October 1995 	N/A 	Takeda Ranch, Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan 	Privately owned, won by owner of ranch in auction in 2002; formerly stored at Naebo Works
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The following KiHa 56 series cars were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:
Car number 	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Previous sets	Last location 	Notes
KiHa 56 202	Niigata Tekkō 	June 1968 	October 2001 	N/A 	Goryōkaku Rolling Stock Depot, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan	One of the last operational KiHa 56 series cars, stored on scrap line; removed November 2006 and scrapped
KiHa 56 204	Niigata Tekkō 	June 1968 	October 2001 	N/A 	Goryōkaku Rolling Stock Depot, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan	One of the last operational KiHa 56 series cars, stored on scrap line; removed November 2006 and scrapped, cab sectioned and placed on display, removed 2016
KiHa 56 211	Fuji Heavy Industries	August 1968 	October 2001 	N/A 	Goryōkaku Rolling Stock Depot, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan	One of the last operational KiHa 56 series cars, stored on scrap line; removed October 2016 and scrapped
KiHa 27 53 	Teikoku Sharyō 	October 1962 	December 1986	N/A 	Tsukigata, Hokkaido, Japan 	Converted into onsen bathhouse; removed circa 2010 and scrapped
KiHa 27 106	Tokyu Car Corporation	November 1963 	December 1986	N/A 	Tsukigata, Hokkaido, Japan 	Converted into onsen bathhouse; removed circa 2010 and scrapped
KiHa 27 55 	Teikoku Sharyō 	October 1962 	February 1987	N/A 	Memorial Ship Hakkōda-maru, Aomori, Japan 	Used as resting space outside ship; removed 2012 and scrapped
KiHa 27 117	Teikoku Sharyō 	December 1965 	February 1987	N/A 	Memorial Ship Hakkōda-maru, Aomori, Japan 	Used as resting space outside ship; removed 2012 and scrapped
KiHa 27 118	Teikoku Sharyō 	December 1965 	February 1987	N/A 	Memorial Ship Hakkōda-maru, Aomori, Japan 	Used as resting space outside ship; removed 2012 and scrapped
KiHa 56 552	Niigata Tekkō 	April 1967 	October 2001 	N/A 	Mori, Hokkaido, Japan 	Ex-KiHa 56 145, acted as Drive-In Yamaroku restaurant; removed circa 2009 and scrapped
KiHa 56 551	Niigata Tekkō 	December 1965 	March 2001 	N/A 	Date, Hokkaido, Japan 	Ex-KiHa 56 124, dumped at a waste disposal company; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 27 108	Teikoku Sharyō 	April 1965 	December 1991	N/A 	Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan 	Dumped at a waste disposal company; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 27 111	Teikoku Sharyō 	April 1965 	December 1991	N/A 	Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan 	Dumped at a waste disposal company; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 27 204	Niigata Tekkō 	September 1968 	July 1997 	N/A 	Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 	Privately owned, last sighted May 2006; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 56 119	Niigata Tekkō 	May 1965 	July 1997 	N/A 	Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 	Privately owned, last sighted May 2006; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 56 123	Niigata Tekkō 	December 1965 	July 1997 	N/A 	Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 	Privately owned, last sighted May 2006; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 56 129	Niigata Tekkō 	April 1966 	July 1997 	N/A 	Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 	Privately owned, last sighted May 2006; removed and scrapped at later date
KiHa 27 24 	Tokyu Car Corporation	March 1962 	March 1987 	N/A 	Esashi, Hokkaido, Japan 	Used as classroom; scrapped in early-2000s
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Category:JR Group trains
Category:Diesel trainsets
Category:Fuji Heavy Industries locomotives
Category:Niigata Tekkō locomotives
Category:Nippon Sharyo locomotives
Category:Teikoku Sharyō locomotives
Category:Tokyu Car locomotives