-Slightly edited some pre-made formations

The KiHa 261 Series (キハ261系) is a limited express type DMU operated by JR Hokkaido.

Connecting various outlying cities with Sapporo, the KiHa 261 series represents the flagship intercity vehicle of JR Hokkaido. The type was initially designed in the late 1990s for minor trunk lines, adopting Kawasaki's air spring type tilting system to reduce costs compared to those found on the previous KiHa 281 and KiHa 283 series. Although the performance was inferior, it required no major changes in the car body or bogies. 14 0-series vehicles were manufactured from 1998 to 2001 for service on the Soya Main Line, which also underwent speed improvement works at the same time. The 0-series was designed to in anticipation of joint operations with the 785 series EMUs, it was thus equipped with powerful engines and improved hydraulic transmission, allowing it's acceleration performance to match limited express type EMUs. The 1000 series was produced intermittently from 2006 to 2022, the exterior design was changed to approximate the 789-1000 series developed at the same time. It was initially produced for Tokachi and Ozora and selected over the KiHa 283 series for greater cost effectiveness. In 2014, JR Hokkaido gave up development on the next generation KiHa 285 series due lack of funds, and announced that additional KiHa 261 series vehicles would be produced instead. The latest addition to the fleet comes in the form of the 5000 series, which are multipurpose express cars designed to operate as tourist trains and accommodate group tours, of which there are two sets.

corrected engine output values.

fixed erroneous tags