KiHa 38

KiHa 38
KiHa 38-2 & KiHa 38-1003 on the Kururi Line in 2010
In service1986–present (Japan)
2014–present (Myanmar)
ManufacturerFuji Heavy Industries
ReplacedKiHa 35
Constructed1965–1966 (as KiHa 35)
Entered service1986
Refurbished1986–1987
Number built7 vehicles
Number in service1 vehicle (as of 2020) in Japan
4 vehicles (as of 2020) in Myanmar
Number preserved1 vehicle
Formation2/3/4 cars per trainset (JNR/JR East)
1 car multiple working DMU (Mizushima Rinkai Railway)
4/5 cars per trainset (Myanmar Railways)
OperatorsJNR (1986–1987)
JR East (1987–2012)
Mizushima Rinkai Railway (2014–present)
Myanmar Railways (2014–present)
DepotsKisarazu, Yangon
Lines servedHachiko Line, Kawagoe Line, Kururi Line, Mizushima Main Line, Yangon Circular Railway
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width2,929 mm (9 ft 7.3 in)
Doors3 per side[1]
Prime mover(s)DMF14-HZ
Multiple workingKiHa 30, KiHa 37[1]
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The KiHa 38 (キハ38) is a Japanese diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type introduced by the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in 1986. These were converted from ageing KiHa 35's to meet modern standards as new rolling stock before the company was privatized in 1987. After JNR was privatized, all seven cars were transferred to JR East.

No KiHa 38s remain in service since they ceased operation on the Kururi Line in December 2012, along with the last KiHa 30, which were also retired from JR East in the same year They were replaced by the new KiHa E130s on the same line.

In 2014, five cars were transferred to Myanmar Railways, and one car was transferred to Mizushima Rinkai Railway which entered service in May 2014.

  1. ^ a b "千葉県のJR久留里線、引退直前の旧型気動車(その3) - キハ38形" [Chiba prefecture's JR Kururi Line, old railcar just before retirement (Part 3) - Kiha 38 type]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. December 1, 2012. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.