Keisei AE series (2009)

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 Narita Sky Access 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 at Higashi-Matsudo Station, June 2010
In service	2010–
Manufacturer	Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
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	AE01–
Capacity	398 (monoclass)[2]
Operator(s)	Keisei Electric Railway
Line(s) served	Narita Sky Access Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium[3]
Car length	19,500 mm (64 ft 0 in) (end cars), 19,000 mm (62 ft 4 in) (intermediate cars)[2]
Width	2,794 mm (9 ft 2.0 in)
Doors	1 per side
Maximum speed	160 km/h (100 mph)[4]
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Acceleration	2.0 km/h/s[2]
Deceleration	4.0 km/h/s (service), 5.2-4.5 km/h/s (emergency)[2]
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	overhead
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)

Design

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

As of 1 April 2013, the fleet consists of eight 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 8).[9]

Diagram

• 
  Car 8
• 
  Car 7
• 
  Car 6
• 
  Car 5
• 
  Car 4
• 
  Car 3
• 
  Car 2
• 
  Car 1

Interior

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

The AE series entered revenue service on Skyliner services from 17 July 2010.[9]

Build details

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	26 March 2010[10]
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	August 2019[1]

See also

• E259 series, trains used on competing JR East Narita Express services

References

1. "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.
2. "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.
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. 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)
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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

• Official site (in Japanese)
• Keisei AE series (Japan Railfan Magazine Online) (in Japanese)
• New Skyliner information on Nippon Sharyo website (in Japanese)