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JR Kyushu KiHa 72 Series / JR九州キハ72系

The KiHa 72 Series (キハ72系) is a limited express type DMU operated by JR Kyushu since 1999.

Introduced for the resort train [i[Yufuin no Mori[/i], the KiHa 72 series was built as extra vehicles for the popular service. It was modelled after the KiHa 71 series "Yufuin no Mori I" operating on the same route, having a very similar exterior design. It is often referred to as "Yufuin no Mori III" as it was the third vehicle to operate the service. The KiHa 183 series serving as the second vehicle had a drastically different exterior and interior to the first vehicle, therefore JR Kyushu decided to transfer it elsewhere and produced a new set with the same service level as the KiHa 71 series. Unlike the aforementioned train, equipment on the KiHa 72 series are brand new and not reused from scrapped cars. Performance was thus significantly improved, with a top speed of 120km/h instead of the 95km/h limitation of JNR-era equipment. Just one set was produced initially as a 4 car formation, until an extra car was added in 2015. The different cars were given consecutive vehicle numbers as KiHa 72-1 to KiHa 72-4, with the latter being renumbered KiHa 72-5 with the extension. Engines installed are the same as those found on the KiHa 200 series, with the second car having 2 engines and others having one, except the later added KiSaHa 72-4 car which only has generator engines. The set is currently used for two round trips of Yufuin no Mori per day, one bound for Yufuin and the other for Beppu.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 120km/h
Acceleration: 0.45m/s/s
Engine Output (Formation): 450PS x 5
In Service: 1999-

The following formations are included:

KiHa 72 Series (5 Car)

Configuration: 4M1T
Max Pax: 266
-can be coupled up to 3 sets, although please note there is only one set in existence IRL.