KiHa E120

The KiHa E120 (キハE120形) is a single-car diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) since November 2008.^[2]

KiHa E120
KiHa E120 operated on Tadami Line, March 2020
In service	2008–Present
Manufacturer	Niigata Transys
Replaced	KiHa 52, KiHa 58
Constructed	2008
Number built	8 vehicles
Number in service	8 vehicles
Formation	Single car
Capacity	114 (39 seated)[1]
Operators	JR East
Depots	Koriyama
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	19,500 mm (64 ft 0 in)[1]
Width	2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)[1]
Doors	Two pairs per side
Maximum speed	100 km/h (60 mph)[1]
Weight	38.5 t (37.9 long tons; 42.4 short tons)[1]
Prime mover(s)	Komatsu DMF15HZ x1
Power output	331 kW (444 hp)[1]
Transmission	Hydraulic
Bogies	DT74 (motored) TR259 (trailer)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

Eight cars (numbered KiHa E120-1 to 8) are based at Koriyama Depot and are used on the following routes.^[3]

• Tadami Line (Aizu-Wakamatsu – Aizu-Kawaguchi, since March 2020)

Former operations

Until March 2020, the fleet was based at Niitsu Depot and used interchangeably with KiHa 110 series DMUs on the following routes.^[4]

• Banetsu West Line (Niitsu – Aizu-Wakamatsu)
• Uetsu Main Line (Niitsu – Sakata)
• Shinetsu Main Line (Niitsu – Niigata)
• Yonesaka Line
• Hakushin Line (Rapid Benibana and 1 local train only)

• 
  Operations in Niigata and Aizu area. KiHa E120 is only on Tadami Line
• 
  Operations as of July 2014
• 
  KiHa E120 on Ban'etsu West Line, December 2009

Exterior

KiHa E120 in original livery, at Imaizumi Station, in July 2009

The body design is based on the KiHa E200 DMU, and uses a new diesel engine reducing NOx emissions.^[5]

Externally, the orange colour scheme is intended to evoke the autumn leaf colour of the beech forests of the Iide mountains in Niigata, Fukushima, and Yamagata Prefectures.^[6]

Between 2019 and 2020, the fleet received a green colour scheme, at the same time as the transfer from Niitsu Depot to Koriyama Depot.^[3][7]

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of 1+2 abreast facing seating bays in the centre of each car, and longitudinal bench seating at the ends of cars. Each car has a universal access toilet.^[4]

The cars are equipped with fare machines for use on wanman driver-only-operated services.^[6]

• 
  Interior view
• 
  Longitudinal bench seats next to door area
• 
  Control platform

History

Eight cars were built by Niigata Transys in May 2008, entering revenue service from 1 November 2008.^[4]