Meitetsu KiHa 8000 series
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| Meitetsu KiHa 8000 series | |
|---|---|
 A KiHa 8000 series train led by 8003 in 1988 | |
 Interior of car KiHa 8052 | |
| In service | 1965–1991 |
| Manufacturer | Nippon Sharyo |
| Constructed | 1965, 1969 |
| Entered service | 5 August 1965 |
| Scrapped | 1985–1991 |
| Number built | 12 cars |
| Number in service | None |
| Number preserved | None |
| Number scrapped | 12 cars |
| Formation | Various |
| Fleet numbers | Various |
| Operators | Nagoya Railroad |
| Lines served | Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, Takayama Main Line |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 20.73 m (68 ft 1⁄8 in) (KiHa 8200 series cars) 19.73 m (64 ft 8+3⁄4 in) (all other cars) |
| Width | 2.7 m (8 ft 10+5⁄16 in) (KiHa 8200 series cars) 2.73 m (8 ft 11+1⁄2 in) (all other cars) |
| Maximum speed | 95 km/h (59 mph) |
| Prime mover(s) | DMH17H engine, various configurations |
| Bogies | DT22C |
| Braking system(s) | DAE-1 air brakes |
| Safety system(s) | Meitetsu ATS, ATS-S |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Notes/references | |
 | |
Meitetsu KiHa 8000 series (名鉄キハ8000系) was an umbrella term used to refer to twelve limited express diesel multiple unit cars of similar specifications operated by Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) in Japan from 1965 to 1991.[1] These cars were the recipients of the 9th Blue Ribbon Award held in 1966.
The KiHa 8000 series cars were built in two batches of six cars; six were built and delivered in 1965 and another six in 1969 for a total of twelve cars. The cars were based on the KiHa 58 series that had been in service with the Japanese National Railways (JNR) since 1961, and as such, share components such as engines and bogeys.
The trains were originally used on Takayama limited express services, to which it was quite difficult to reserve a seat for especially during peak periods due to various luxuries inside the KiHa 8000 series cars, such as air-conditioning. The Takayama service was renamed to Kita Alps in 1970, due to the opening of various stations on the line; despite this, the KiHa 8000 series cars were still used on those services.
However, by 1989, more advanced diesel multiple units were being developed by various manufacturers, and the obsolescence of the KiHa 8000 series cars were starting to show. All operations of the Kita Alps service were transferred to newer KiHa 8500 series diesel railcars by 1991, and the last few KiHa 8000 series cars were withdrawn that same year.[1]
No KiHa 8000 series cars have been preserved; all twelve cars were scrapped between 1985 and 1991.
