Prototype cars (183-900 series) In 1979, 12 prototype cars were manufactured, which were numbered the -900 series. They were intended to be in sets made up of 7 cars, which could be extended to 10 cars for long-distance services. All cars were eventually modified to be included in production sets; they were eventually scrapped by 2001 due to age. :
Initial production sets (183-0 series) • (early) • (later) }} }} The initial production sets were manufactured between 1981 and 1983, resulting in 89 cars, which were divided into 4 types. With the introduction of successor vehicles such as the
KiHa 283 series and
KiHa 261-1000 series, all vehicles were scrapped by 2018. :
Later models 183-500 & 183-1500 series • (initial) • (later) }} }} 36 cars of what would become the 183-500 and 183–1500 series were manufactured in 1986 at Niigata Engineering Co., Ltd. and
Fuji Heavy Industries, with the main purpose of improving the management base of JR Hokkaido. These cars were also known as the
N183 series.
183-550 & 183-1550 series (KiSaRoHa 182-550 limited to ) }} 28 cars of what would become the 183-550 and 183-1550 series were manufactured by
Fuji Heavy Industries between 1988 and 1990. Also known as the
NN183 series, these cars would feature changes to the bathroom and interior from the N183 series cars. These cars would also see installation of a fresh air intake to ensure no engine smoke entered the cabin.
Resort trains (183-5000, 183-5100 and 183-5200 series) Due to the
Sekishō Line opening in 1981 and the number of passengers to resort areas in the Central Hokkaido area increasing, a decision was made to modify the
Alpha Continental 56 series train in 1985. After adding two services (the
Furano Express and
Tomamu-Sahoro Express) based on the 80 series trains, the design was changed to that of the 183 series. In total, 3 sets (12 cars) were built, and the new sets began service, starting with the
Niseko Express in 1989. This was followed by the
Crystal Express Tomamu & Sahoro set in the same year and the
North Rainbow Express set in 1992. The
North Rainbow Express set originally consisted of three cars, but in December 1994, it was lengthened to five cars. Due to age, the
Crystal Express set was withdrawn from service on 30 November 2019, and was scrapped in May 2020. In July 2022, JR Hokkaido announced that the
North Rainbow Express set would be withdrawn from service in Q1 2023. ; KiHa 182-5000 (5001) : An intermediate passenger car with a capacity of 56, equipped with a telephone room. ; KiHa 182-5100 (5101) : An intermediate passenger car with a capacity of 56 people, equipped with a skylight.
183-5200 series (North Rainbow Express) ; KiHa 183-5200 (5201–5202) : An ordinary driving car with a capacity of 47 people. KiHa 183-5201 was damaged in an accident in February 1997, and was substituted with the KiHa 183-1 car while repair works took place. ; KiHa 182-5200 (5201, 5251) : An intermediate passenger car with a capacity of 60 people. ; KiHa 183-1000 (1001, 1002) : Two cars were produced in 1988. They do not have an in-built power supply. ; KiHa 182-1000 (1001, 1002) : An intermediate car; one (1001) was manufactured in 1988, and was equipped with a power supply as well as cafe and small rooms. Another car (1002) was manufactured in 1989 and came equipped with an engine as well as having an onboard children's play area. : == Special services ==