The KiHa 52 is a Japanese diesel multiple unit (DMU) type formerly operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR); JR Group companies such as JR East, JR West, JR Shikoku & JR Kyushu; and later by the private railway operator Isumi Railway based in Chiba, Japan, by overseas operators such as Myanmar Railways in Myanmar, and the Philippine National Railways in the Philippines.
KiHa 52 in old JNR two tone vermilion and beige livery
Two JR-West KiHa 52 cars in original JNR two-tone liveries in September 2008
KiHa 52 156 in "metropolitan" all-over red livery in August 2009
KiHa 52 125 in JNR two-tone blue & beige livery in August 2008
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also generally classed as DMUs. Diesel-powered units may be further classified by their transmission type: diesel–mechanical DMMU, diesel–hydraulic DHMU, or diesel–electric DEMU.
A JNR Class KiHa40 in use for Erimo Express service, Hokkaido, Japan
An IE 29000 Class diesel multiple unit on a western commuter service at Dublin Connolly Rail station, Ireland
A British Rail Class 185 diesel hydraulic multiple unit operated by TransPennine Express at Manchester Piccadilly station, United Kingdom
One of the underfloor diesel engines with hydraulic transmission under a car of JR Shikoku 2700 series DMU
