JNR KiHa 20 series

Data (as of 7 Jun 2025)

History

KiHa 20 series consisted of various types, including KiHa 20 (as a type) and KiHa 52 as well as mail and parcel trains. The KiHa 20 series was developed by Japanese National Railways mostly for rural lines. At the time of introduction, the series was powerful, reliable and big enough to carry passengers on longer journeys. It was designed effectively as a suburban type, but JNR used some of KiHa 20s and KiHa 52s for express services as well. More than a thousand carriages were introduced to various lines across the country, from Hokkaido to Kyushu. It is not well known that the KiHa 20s were also used in Tokyo until the 1980s. 38 more carriages of the series were ordered by small private railways, mostly in Hokkaido (which no longer exist as coal mines were closed). The KiHa 20 series is considered to be one of the most popular diesel train among railway enthusiasts, because of its iconic style and liveries.

Withdrawal commenced before the privatisation of JNR, and most carriages of the series were scrapped by 1993. However, some KiHa 52s remained far longer than expected, as they had two engines for steep gradients on unprofitable lines. JR East used them until 2009, while JR West retained them until 2010.

Some KiHa 20s and KiHa 52s deregistered from JNR or JR companies were transferred to private railways such as Kashima Rinkai Railway and Hitachinaka Seaside Railway (both Ibaraki Prefecture), Mizushima Rinkai Railway (Okayama Prefecture) and Tsugaru Railway (Aomori Prefecture). Isumi Railway in Chiba Prefecture was the last company that used the series for passenger service, but its operation suddenly ended when the line itself was closed unexpectedly in 2024 (deregistered in the following year).

A few of them are preserved across the country, including static display.

Photos

In the 1980s, JNR painted diesel trains to vermilion and grey, to reduce costs. It is sometimes called "Tarako" (pollock roe) livery by enthusiasts.

KiHa 20 of Hitachinaka Seaside Railway was painted in the original livery (JNR Standard Livery for Diesel Trains), though looked yellowish.

Mizushima Rinkai Railway in Okayama Prefecture had been known for using the KiHa 20 series everyday. They retired in 2013, but one of them is preserved.