#4634

KiHa 38

🇯🇵 Japan ·built by Subaru Corporation· from 1986· Japanese diesel multiple unit train type

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. JRE-Kiha38 2-KururiLine: Rsa· CC BY-SA 3.0
2. Kururi line kiha38: toshinori baba· CC0
3. JNR Type Kiha 38 DMU 064: Tennen-Gas· CC BY-SA 3.0
4. Kururi line kiha30+kiha38: Toshinori baba· CC BY-SA 3.0
5. MR kiha38 104: Mitsuki-2368· CC BY-SA 4.0
6. Popponooka JRE-Kiha38-1: Rsa· CC BY-SA 3.0
7. JNR Type Kiha 38 DMU 001: Tennen-Gas· CC BY-SA 3.0
8. JNR Type Kiha 38 DMU 002: Tennen-Gas· CC BY-SA 3.0
9. JNR Type Kiha 38 DMU 061: Tennen-Gas· CC BY-SA 3.0
10. JNR Type Kiha 38 DMU 062: Tennen-Gas· CC BY-SA 3.0

what is it?

The KiHa 38 (キハ38) is a Japanese diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type introduced by the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in 1986. These were converted from ageing KiHa 35's to meet modern standards as new rolling stock before the company was privatized in 1987. After JNR was privatized, all seven cars were transferred to JR East.

who runs it

Japanese National Railways East Japan Railway Company Mizushima Rinkai Railway rail transport in Myanmar

base stats

built 7made in total

Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.

fun facts

First built 40 years ago, in 1986.
20 m long: about 4 cars parked nose to tail.
Still in service after 40 years.

multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.

spec sheet

built: 1986
in service from: 1986
status: in service
number built: 7
kind: multiple unit
traction: diesel
origin: 🇯🇵 Japan
builders: Subaru Corporation
operators: Japanese National Railways, East Japan Railway Company, Mizushima Rinkai Railway, rail transport in Myanmar
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
formation: 2/3/4 cars per trainset (JNR/JR East), 1 car multiple working DMU (Mizushima Rinkai Railway), 4/5 cars per trainset (My…
length: 20 m

From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q11421884, Wikipedia: KiHa 38 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.