KiHa 80 series

KiHa 80 series
KiHa 82 series Ōtori service, 1986
In service	1960–2002
Manufacturer	Fuji Heavy Industries, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha Seizo, Niigata Tekko, Nippon Sharyo, Teikoku Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	1960 (KiHa 81) 1961–1967 (KiHa 82)
Scrapped	1982–2009
Successor	KiHa 181 series KiHa 183 series 485 series
Operators	JNR (1960–1987) JR Hokkaido (1987–2002) JR Central (1987–2002)
Specifications
Car length	21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (KiHa 81) 21,100 mm (69 ft 3 in) (KiHa 82)
Width	2,903 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Engine type	Diesel
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 4th Blue Ribbon Award in 1961. ※ Awarded for KiHa 81 series This train won the 30th Blue Ribbon Award in 1987. ※ Awarded for KiHa 84 series Furano Express set

The KiHa 80 series (キハ80系) was a diesel multiple unit type that operated on express services from 1960 to 2002, under Japan National Railways and later under JR Hokkaido and JR Central. Two variants were initially built: the KiHa 81 series (キハ81系) to replace the then steam-operated Hatsukari services in 1960, and the KiHa 82 series (キハ82系) for other services from 1961 to 1967; the KiHa 81 series sets would receive the fourth Blue Ribbon Award for outstanding design from the Japan Railfan Club [ja].

By early 1960, the new cars were scheduled to start service in December of that year. After a promotional film of the KiHa 81 series was shot between September 15–23, 1960, and a demonstration was given to the participants of the 1960 Asian Railways Conference on October 14, the sets began operating Hatsukari services as planned on December 10.

In the late 1980s, three resort trains were built based on the series: two KiHa 84 series (キハ84系) trains (the Furano Express and Tomamu Sahoro Express) and one remodeled KiHa 82 train (the Resort Liner). The Furano Express would be reliveried from June to October 1987 as part of a promotion with All Nippon Airways, and win the 30th Blue Ribbon Award in the same year; the Tomamu Sahoro Express set would participate in a Shikoku event showcasing the trains of all JR Group companies in 1989.

By the time of its retirement in 2002, it had been superseded by various multiple units such as the KiHa 183, KiHa 181, and 485 series. Most cars were scrapped by 2009, but some were preserved, including a KiHa 81 lead car at the Kyoto Railway Museum, and a KiHa 82 lead car on the Hakkōda Maru [ja].