The and are diesel multiple unit (DMU) train types operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on the Kishin Line between and . A total of 19 cars have been delivered, formed as seven single-car KiHa 122 series units and six two-car KiHa 127 series units. Test-running commenced in late September 2008, with the units entering revenue-earning service from the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2009.Yomiuri Shimbun: 新型高速ディーゼル登場姫新線 (15 March 2009). Retrieved on 18 March 2009
The "KiHa" designation derives from the classification system used by JNR. "Ki" indicates a diesel-powered vehicle, while "Ha" indicates an ordinary passenger car, as opposed to a green car.
Exterior The body design features improved crash resistance, based on the 223 series electric multiple unit design. The cars use environmentally-friendly diesel engines with reduced NOx and particulate emissions.
Externally, the units are finished in unpainted metal with thin yellow and red waistline stripes.
Interior Internally, the cars feature flip-over reversible seating arranged 2+1 abreast. Toilets in both types of train are wheelchair-accessible, and the step between the passenger compartment and station platform has been eliminated.
Formations The KiHa 122 single-car units and KiHa 127 two-car units are formed as follows.
KiHa 122 series (single-car unit) The KiHa 122 series uses a diesel engine with a small lithium-ion battery (18 kWh) that is used to power auxiliary machines in the train.
Designation cMc Numbering KiHa 122-0 Weight (t) 40.5 CapacityTotal/seated 113/33
(Equipped with toilet)
KiHa 127 series (2-car units)
Designation Mc1 Mc2 Numbering KiHa 127-0 KiHa 127-1000 Weight (t) 38.5 37.5 CapacityTotal/seated 130/41 138/51
(KiHa 127-0 is equipped with a toilet.)
Derivatives ET122, single-car DMUs for use on the third-sector Echigo Tokimeki Railway Nihonkai Hisui Line since March 2015
References
External links
KiHa 122/127 series press release (JR-West) JR-West KiHa 122/127 series (Japan Railfan Magazine)