Summary
The Keisei AE series (京成AE形) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keisei Electric Railway on Skyliner limited express services to and from Narita International Airport in Japan via the Keisei Narita Airport Line.[5] The first set was delivered in May 2009, and entered service in July 2010,[6] replacing the Keisei AE100 series EMUs previously used on these services.
| Keisei AE series | |
|---|---|
 AE series approaching Ōmachi station, 23 November 2020 | |
| In service | 2010– |
| Manufacturer | Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation |
| Designer | Kansai Yamamoto |
| Replaced | Keisei AE100 series |
| Constructed | 2009–2010, 2019[1] |
| Entered service | 17 July 2010 |
| Number built | 72 vehicles (9 sets) |
| Number in service | 72 vehicles (9 sets) |
| Formation | 8 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | AE1–AE9 |
| Capacity | 398 (monoclass)[2] |
| Operators | Keisei Electric Railway |
| Lines served | Narita Airport |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium[3] |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2.794 m (9 ft 2.0 in) |
| Height | 4.030 m (13 ft 2.7 in) |
| Doors | 1 per side |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (99 mph)[4] |
| Traction system | IGBT–VVVF |
| Traction motors | 24 × 175 kW (235 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor |
| Power output | 4.2 MW (5,632 hp) |
| Acceleration | 2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)[2] |
| Deceleration |
|
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC overhead catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′ |
| Bogies | SS170 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
 | |
Design edit
Each 8-car set consists of six motored cars and two trailers. The trains are the first Keisei trains to use bolsterless bogies, and the end cars are equipped with active suspension. The train design and styling was overseen by Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto.[3] The musical horn and in-train announcement melody are provided by Casiopea keyboardist and Ongakukan CEO Minoru Mukaiya.[2]
The AE series design won the "Good Design Award" in 2010,[7] and in May 2011 was awarded the 2011 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[8]
Formation edit
As of 5 September 2019[update], the fleet consists of nine 8-car sets formed as shown below with car 1 at the Narita end.[9]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M2c | M1 | M2N | M1' | T2 | T1 | M2s | M1c |
| Numbering | x-1 | x-2 | x-3 | x-4 | x-5 | x-6 | x-7 | x-8 |
- Cars 2, 4, 6, and 8 are each fitted with a single-arm pantograph.[9]
- The "x" in the individual car numbering corresponds to the set number (1 to 9).[9]
-
Car 8 -
Car 7 -
Car 6 -
Car 5 -
Car 4 -
Car 3 -
Car 2 -
Car 1
Interior edit
All cars are monoclass, with 2+2 abreast rotating/reclining seating. Car 4 has a drink vending machine.[9] Car 5 is equipped with a universal access toilet and also a wheelchair space.[9]
-
General interior view, July 2010 -
Seat detail, July 2010 -
Universal access toilet, July 2010
History edit
The AE series entered revenue service on Skyliner services from 17 July 2010.[9]
Build details edit
The manufacturers and delivery dates for the fleet are as shown below.
| Set No. | Manufacturer | Date delivered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nippon Sharyo | 27 August 2009[10] |
| 2 | Tokyu Car | 19 March 2010[10] |
| 3 | Nippon Sharyo | 26 March 2010[10] |
| 4 | Tokyu Car | |
| 5 | Nippon Sharyo | 1 July 2010[11] |
| 6 | Tokyu Car | 14 May 2010[11] |
| 7 | Nippon Sharyo | 6 July 2010[11] |
| 8 | Tokyu Car | 8 July 2010[11] |
| 9 | Nippon Sharyo | 5 September 2019[1] |
See also edit
- E259 series, trains used on competing JR East Narita Express services
References edit
- ^ a b "京成AE形AE9編成が甲種輸送される" [Keisei AE series set AE9 is transported]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "京成電鉄AE形 (Keisei AE series)". Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 49, no. 580. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. August 2009. pp. 10–17.
- ^ a b Japan Railfan Magazine Online: "京成電鉄 AE形" (20 May 2009) Archived 24 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 21 May 2009. (in Japanese)
- ^ Mainichi Shimbun: 京成電鉄：新型スカイライナーを公開 国内在来線最速の１６０キロ (20 May 2009) Archived 23 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 21 May 2009. (in Japanese)
- ^ Keisei press release: "ルート愛称名を「成田スカイアクセス」に決定しました" (December 2009) Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 December 2009. (in Japanese)
- ^ 成田新高速鉄道：来年７月開業へ 三セク・工事順調. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
- ^ 新型スカイライナー（ＡＥ形）が「グッドデザイン賞」を受賞しました！ [New Skyliner (AE Series) Wins "Good Design Award!"] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Keisei Electric Railway. September 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ 2011年 鉄道友の会ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞決定 [2011 Japan Railfan Club Blue Ribbon Award and Laurel Prize announcement]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f 私鉄車両編成表 2013 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2013]. Japan: JRR. 30 July 2013. p. 35. ISBN 978-4-330-39313-1.
- ^ a b c 私鉄車両編成表 2010 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2010]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. August 2010. p. 170. ISBN 978-4-330-15310-0.
- ^ a b c d 私鉄車両編成表 2011 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2011]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. July 2011. p. 182. ISBN 978-4-330-22711-5.
External links edit
- Official site (in Japanese)
- Keisei AE series (Japan Railfan Magazine Online) (in Japanese)
- New Skyliner information on Nippon Sharyo website (in Japanese)