[3] Pre-production driving (control) cars built by Fuji Heavy Industries and delivered in January 1992.

[4][6] A pre-production intermediate car, KiHa 280-901, also built by Fuji Heavy Industries, was delivered in October 1992 to form a 3-car set.

The pre-production 3-car train underwent test-running to evaluate the two different systems in the harsh winter conditions of Hokkaido.

[6] The later bearing-guide tilt mechanism proved superior, and this system was used on subsequent production trains delivered from 1993.

[4] The KiHa 281 series entered revenue service from the start of the revised timetable on 1 March 1994.

[1] The new tilting trains operated at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), reducing the journey time for the 318 km (198 mi) distance between Hakodate and Sapporo to 3 hours, shaving 30 minutes off the journey time for Hokuto services operated by KiHa 183 series DMUs.

[8] Pre-production car KiHa 281-901 was repainted to feature the original livery and "HEAT281" logo[9] in preparation for a chartered final-run train that will run between 22 and 23 October.