KiHa 181 series

KiHa 181 series
KiHa 181 series on a Hamakaze service, August 2009
In service	1968–December 2010
Manufacturer	Fuji Heavy Industries, Niigata Tekkō, Nippon Sharyo
Replaced	KiHa 80 series
Constructed	1968–1972
Number built	158 vehicles
Number in service	None
Number preserved	3 vehicles
Operator(s)	JNR (1968–1987) JR-West (1987–2010) JR Shikoku (1987–1993)
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in)
Width	2,903 mm (9 ft 6.3 in)
Height	3,955 mm (12 ft 11.7 in)
Doors	One per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Prime mover(s)	DML30HSC
Power output	500 hp (at 1600 rpm)
Transmission	Hydraulic
Bogies	DT40B (driving), TR219B (trailing) (formerly DT36B (driving), TR205B (trailing))
Braking system(s)	Engine brake, CLE brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-S
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The KiHa 181 series (キハ181系, Hyaku-hachijūichi-kei^?) was a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated in Japan on limited express services between 1968 and 2010. Initially introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR), the trains were later operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) and Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) following privatization in 1987.

The KiHa 181 series was developed for use on limited express services on non-electrified mountainous routes, and was used on services such as the Tsubasa, Shinano, Yakumo, and Hamakaze on the main island of Honshu, and the Shiokaze and Nanpū in Shikoku.

A total of 158 KiHa 181 series cars were built between 1968 and 1972. On the privatization of JNR in 1987, JR-West received 94 cars, and JR Shikoku received 44 cars. The KiHa 181 series trains were gradually displaced by the arrival of modern tilting diesel trains and increased electrification, and the last JR Shikoku cars were withdrawn by 1993. The last JR-West cars remained in use on Hamakaze services until November 2010 when they were replaced by new KiHa 189 series DMUs, and were finally withdrawn in December 2010.