DMU JR Hokkaido KiHa 261-1000 series stands at Shinhakodate-Hokuto station
Our special holidays ended all too soon. After four days of our traveling on Hokkaido Island, we had to start homeward. On our way back home, we used JR Hokkaido's limited express train "Hokuto" on the Hakodate main line.
The train name "Hokuto" comes from the Big Dipper. As you know, the Big Dipper is a constellation pointing to the polar star. By extension, Hokuto is a representative train in the northern part of Japan. In fact, Hokuto is operated between Hakodate and Sapporo. They are major cities in Hokkaido, which is the northernmost island of Japan. When we visited Hokkaido Island in 2013, the DMU KiHa 281 series was commissioned as Hokuto. This time, not only the 281 series, but also a new model, the DMU KiHa 261-1000 series, was operated as Hokuto. The 261-1000 series was launched in 2006. It was then introduced onto the Hakodate main line as the limited express Hokuto in 2016. JR Hokkaido plans that all the Hokuto limited express trains will be operated by the 261-1000 series by March, 2023.
What are the differences between the older 281 and the newer 261-1000 series? With regard to the interior and the passenger services, they are almost the same. As to the technical specifications, a new technology, namely an air suspension type tilting system, is applied to the 261-1000 series instead of a pendulum type tilting system on the 281 series. The air suspension type tilting system is probably better value for the cost than the pendulum type tilting system.
DMU JR Hokkaido KiHa 261-1000 series arrives at Shinhakodate-Hokuto station