Kominato Railway KiHa 200 series

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

*Excluding abandoned carriages.

History

The KiHa 200 series was developed based on JNR KiHa 20 series. As JR group have withdrawn old diesel trains built in the 1960s, the KiHa 200 series is now one of a few trains that have old engines designed in the early-1940s.

The KiHa 200 series was also used for through-services to Chiba on Boso West Line (now Uchibo Line) of Japanese National Railways in 1963 and 1964. Kominato Railway attempted several times to provide services towards Chiba, including building a new line, but all projects have been unsuccessful.

The company has been introducing JNR KiHa 40 series, but very few KiHa 200 series were withdrawn so far.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The KiHa 200 series is still operational on the entire line. Each service is formed of one to four coaches, sometimes with the KiHa 40 series. According to the company, they withdrew some KiHa 200s but have no intention to scrap all of them in the near future so far.