KiHa 52
The KiHa 52 is a Japanese Diesel Multiple Unit type formerly operated by Japanese National Railways, JR Group companies such as JR East, JR West, JR Shikoku & JR Kyushu; and later by the private operator Isumi Railway based in Chiba, Japan, by overseas operators such as Myanmar Railways in Myanmar, and PNR in the Philippines.
112 KiHa 52 cars were built for Japanese National Railways between 1958 and 1966. The design was based on the KiHa 20 series "general purpose" DMU type, but with two engines for use on mountainous lines.
Variants
- KiHa 52 1 – 56: Built 1958–1962
- KiHa 52 101 – 156: Built 1963–1966
- KiHa 52 651: Converted from KiHa 52 101
Livery variations
JNR-era liveries
JR-era regional liveries
Resale
Following withdrawal of the last remaining examples operated by JR-West, one car, KiHa 52 125, was resold to the private operator Isumi Railway in Chiba Prefecture in April 2011. This unit was built in 1965, and formerly operated on the Etsumi-Hoku Line and Ōito Line in the Hokuriku region until 2010.Overseas operations
Myanmar
Seventeen former KiHa 52 Diesel Railcars were shipped to Myanmar to be operated by Myanmar Railways between 2007 and 2008.The following cars were transferred to Myanmar as shown:
| Former Body Number of JR Group | RBE Body Number by Myanmar Railways |
| KiHa 52-108 | RBE 5001 |
| KiHa 52-109 | RBE 5002 |
| KiHa 52-110 | RBE 5011 |
| KiHa 52-126 | RBE 5003 |
| KiHa 52-141 | RBE 5012 |
| KiHa 52-143 | RBE 5004 |
| KiHa 52-144 | RBE 5005 |
| KiHa 52-145 | RBE 5006 |
| KiHa 52-146 | RBE 5013 |
| KiHa 52-147 | RBE 5014 |
| KiHa 52-148 | RBE 5015 |
| KiHa 52-149 | RBE 5016 |
| KiHa 52-151 | RBE 5007 |
| KiHa 52-152 | RBE 5008 |
| KiHa 52-153 | RBE 5009 |
| KiHa 52-154 | RBE 5017 |
| KiHa 52-155 | RBE 5018 |
Philippines
Seven former JR East KiHa 52 cars originally based at JR East Niitsu Transportation Zone were donated in September 2011 to the Philippine National Railways, where they are used on commuter services in the Manila area.As of October 2013, the trains are normally operated as two 3-car formations. The seventh car, KiHa 52 123, in Niigata livery, was taken out of service after operating for only seven months, and is stored at Tutuban Depot as a source of spare parts for the rest of the fleet.
Formation
The two three-car sets are referred to as "KiHa-O" and "KiHa-B", reflecting the liveries they carry, and are formed as shown below, with cars 52-137 and 52-102 at the Alabang end, as shown below.| KiHa-O | 52-137 | 52-127 | 52-122 |
| KiHa-B | 52-102 | 52-120 | 52-121 |
The former toilets in each car are locked out of use.
Preserved examples
In addition to KiHa 52 125 operated on the Isumi Railway, as of 2014 three Kiha 52 cars are preserved in Japan, as listed below.- KiHa 52 115: Former Tsuyama Depot roundhouse, Tsuyama, Okayama
- KiHa 52 130: Osumi Line Memorial Park, Shibushi, Kagoshima
- KiHa 52 156: Inside Itoigawa Geostation Geopal at Itoigawa Station in Itoigawa, Niigata