The 2000 series is a type of limited express diesel train, developed by JR Shikoku and Railway Technical Research Institute. JR Shikoku introduced them to Dosan Line, where so many steep gradients and tight curves exist. As motorways were being constructed across the island of Shikoku, the company was looking for diesel trains that can run faster than other rolling stock (120 km/h, or 75 mph) even in such mountainous areas. Thus, the 2000 series has a tilting feature controlled by computers.
The 2000 series is classified into three groups: TSE, standard-2000 series and N2000 series.
In 1989, JR Shikoku introduced a prototype unit formed of three coaches (standard-class seating only). Its name TSE stood for Trans-Shikoku Experimental (sic). JR Shikoku claimed that it was the very first tilting diesel train in the world, though there are a few counterarguments mainly from Germany. It looked different from any diesel trains in Japan at that time, but accommodation was somewhat similar to that of KiHa 185 series. Had it been unsuccessful, the company would have used it only for rail tours, but fortunately the TSE project paid off.
The TSE unit entered service in 1989, and used for Limited Express Nampu (Okayama - Kochi) and Shimanto (Takamatsu - Shimanto), then reallocated to Shiokaze (Okayama - Matsuyama) a year later. After 8000 series was introduced to Shiokaze in 1993, the TSE was used in the entire island along with other standard-2000 series. The TSE was then reallocated again to Limited Express Uwakai (Matsuyama - Uwajima), and withdrawn from all passenger service in 2018. Two out of three coaches have been preserved at a depot in Tadotsu.
The blunt end of the TSE. There was a centre gangway which was permanently closed in the late-1990s.
*Including four carriages introduced by Tosa Kuroshio Railway.
The TSE was so successful that JR Shikoku introduced more 2000 series with some improvement. Unlike the TSE, those with (relatively) sharp end are Green Car (first-class seating). They were used for Limited Express Nampu (Okayama - Kochi, Nakamura or Sukumo) and Shimanto (Takamatsu - Kochi), replacing KiHa 181 series and KiHa 185 series. 4 out of 61 carriages were owned by Tosa Kuroshio Railway, but all of them were treated equally by JR Shikoku, and there were little differences between them.
JR Shikoku refurbished some of the standard-2000 series in 2010, and replaced bogies of some carriages in 2017-19, while others were replaced with 2700 series. In 2021, the standard-2000 series were withdrawn from all services to and from Okayama and Takamatsu.
The blunt end of the standard-2000 series, the most well-known one among all 2000 series.
Some units were decorated with Anpanman cartoon characters, which are highly popular among infants.
JR Shikoku introduced more 2000 series (N2000 series) in 1995-98. They can run even faster (130 km/h, or 81 mph) as they have more powerful engines and braking systems than the standard-2000 series. The first two carriages of the N2000 series look similar to the standard-2000 series, but the rest of them are different.
They were used for Limited Express Uzushio (Okayama, Takamatsu - Tokushima) until 2020, and reallocated to Ashizuri (Kochi - Nakamura) and Uwakai (Matsuyama - Uwajima) to replace older 2000 series including the TSE.
The first two carriages of the N2000 series look more like the standard-2000 series.
Current Operations & Future Prospects
The 2000 series are now used for Limited Express Ashizuri (Kochi - Nakamura) and Uwakai (Matsuyama - Uwajima). It is not uncommon to see a mixture of standard-2000 series and the N2000 series carriages forming two to five coaches.
JR Shikoku indicated that the remaining carriages including the N2000 series would be used until around 2030, but the standard-2000 series are likely to be withdrawn earlier than that.
.jpg)
.jpg)
