KiHa 54 series

The KiHa 54 series is a Japanese diesel multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways and its successor companies since November 1986.
==History==
Built from 1986 to 1987 by Fuji Heavy Industries (now known as Subaru Corporation) and Niigata Tekkō (now known as Niigata Transys), the KiHa 54 series was manufactured in two distinct subtypes; 41 cars were produced. The first cars entered service in the Hokkaido area in November 1986, followed by the first cars entering service in Shikoku in January 1987; twenty-nine cars were assigned for use in Hokkaido and twelve for use in Shikoku. When the JNR was privatized in 1987, the cars were assigned to JR Shikoku and JR Hokkaido.
One car, KiHa 54 520, was derailed in an accident at a railroad crossing on 1 March 2007; the car was scrapped a few days later.
==Design==
Unlike the various Japanese DMUs as manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries and Niigata Tekkō, the KiHa 54 series uses a much more modern body style compared to older DMUs manufactured by the same company.
==Specifications==
Construction is of steel. Each car is 21.3 meters long and 2.9 meters wide. The cars all use two DMF13HS prime movers per car, each generating 250 PS (247 HP).
The twelve cars owned by JR Shikoku, numbered KiHa 54 1 through KiHa 54 12, are designed for "mild temperatures", while the twenty-nine cars owned by JR Hokkaido, numbered KiHa 54 501 through KiHa 54 529, are designed for extremely cold weather. Cars KiHa 54 527 through Kiha 54 529 are "express specification" vehicles that were initially used on Rebun services until they were abolished in March 2000.
==References==
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Fuji Heavy Industries locomotives
Category:Niigata Tekkō locomotives