The Keikyu 2100 series (京急2100形) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keikyu in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1998. It replaced the earlier 2000 series on limited-stop Limited Express (快特, Kaitoku) reserved seat services.[3] A total of 10 8-car sets were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries[1] and Tokyu Car,[2] and the first sets entered service on 28 March 1998.

Keikyu 2100 series
Set 2173 in July 2021
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries (Kobe) and Tokyu Car (Yokohama)
ReplacedKeikyu 2000 series
Entered service28 March 1998
Refurbished2013–2016
Number built80 vehicles (10 sets)
Number in service80 vehicles (10 sets)
Formation8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers2101–2173
Capacity942 passengers
OperatorsKeikyu
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length18 m (59 ft 1 in) (intermediate cars)
18.17 m (59 ft 7 in) (end cars)
Width2.83 m (9 ft 3 in)
Maximum speed
  • 120 km/h (75 mph) (service)
  • 130 km/h (80 mph) (design)[1][2]
Traction systemOriginal: GTOVVVF (Siemens)
Current: IGBT–VVVF (Toyo Denki)
Traction motors3-phase AC induction motor
Power output190 kW (250 hp) per motor[1]
Acceleration3.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s)
Deceleration4.0 km/(h⋅s) (2.5 mph/s) (service)
4.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.8 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)

Service edit

The 2100 series are mainly used on limited-stop Limited Express (快特, Kaitoku) service on the Main Line and Kurihama Line. Some trains also inter-run with one stop on the Asakusa Line, stopping at Sengakuji Station only.

AC traction motor systems edit

Running sound of the 2100 series, July 1999

The Keikyu 2100 series was Japan's first standard-gauge train to use Siemens-supplied GTO-VVVF propulsion system.[4] The system's ability to produce a "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do" scale when the propulsion starts up quickly became a signature to the 2100 series when it was introduced, earning the nickname as the "singing train" (歌う電車).[5] Subsequently, similar propulsion was also installed on 56 cars of the N1000 series. The uniqueness of the propulsion system made its way into various music and popular culture, such as Super Bell"Z. Due to the unavailability of substitute parts for the train's GTO-VVVF propulsion system,[5] the propulsion system on the trains was replaced with a new inverter, which does not have a solfège scale.[6]

By March 2015, all of the original Siemens-supplied GTO-VVVF traction systems used on the 2100 series were replaced with new IGBT-VVVF traction systems manufactured by Toyo Denki.[7] By July 2021, all Siemens-supplied GTO-VVVF traction systems in Japan were phased out.

Formation edit

As of 1 April 2016, ten eight-car sets are in operation, formed as follows, with four motored (M) cars and four trailer (T) cars, and car 1 at the Misakiguchi end.[8]

 
← Misakiguchi, Uraga
Shinagawa →
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Designation Muc T Tp Mu Ms T Tp Msc
Numbering 21xx

The two "Tp" cars are each fitted with two single-arm pantographs.[8]

Interior edit

Passenger accommodation consists of transverse seating arranged 2+2 abreast, with seat backs that can be flipped over to face the direction of travel. The windows on the 2100 series are double-glazed, with curtains.

Refurbishment edit

Set 2101 was the first 2100 series set to undergo refurbishment, in 2013. Modifications include replacing the passenger windows at the ends of each car with opening windows, replacing the curtains on these windows with roller blinds, replacing the original fluorescent tube lighting with LED lighting, installation of door chimes as well as a single LCD passenger information screen above the doors.[9]

Livery variations edit

Trainset 2157 carried a "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery from 11 June 2005 until March 2015.[citation needed] From then, set 2133 inherited the "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery.[7] From 21 February 2016, set 2133 operated in a modified version of its blue livery, adapted to resemble the livery of Taiwan Railways Administration trains, to mark the first anniversary of the signing of a friendship agreement between Keikyu and Taiwan Railways Administration.[10]

Keikyu teamed up with Sega to decorate a special limited edition "Sonic the Hedgehog/Puyo Puyo" train which ran on the Keikyu Airport Line from 14 November 2016 to 17 December 2016 to celebrate the 25th anniversary for both games. The train was part of the Keikyu 2100 series' "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery and featured images of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Silver, Eggman and Carbuncle as well as a collection of the game's expressive stacking blobs. In addition, signs at the Airport Line's Otorii Station, the closest stop to the site of Sega's original office prior to 2018, were featuring special images honoring the games.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c 京浜急行電鉄2100形電車 概要 Archived 5 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, retrieved 30 June 2008
  2. ^ a b 京浜急行電鉄 2100形 Archived 19 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Tokyu Car, retrieved 30 June 2008
  3. ^ 私鉄車両年鑑2012 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2012]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. February 2012. p. 126. ISBN 978-4-86320-549-9.
  4. ^ Metro System, Eight-Car Units, Keihin Kyuko, Tokyo, Japan Archived 23 August 2007 at archive.today, Siemens, retrieved 30 June 2008
  5. ^ a b "「歌う電車」消えゆく運命 京急の136両、交代へ" (Singing trains might disappear – change due for 136 Keikyu cars), Asahi Shimbun[permanent dead link], 4 June 2008. Retrieved on 27 October 2008. (in Japanese) [dead link]
  6. ^ "京急の「歌う電車」数減らすワケ 発車時の「あの音」、あとどれくらい聴けるのか" [Why reduce the number of "singing trains" in Keikyu "That sound" at the time of departure, how long can you listen?]. trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 8 July 2018. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  7. ^ a b 京急2100形2133編成が「KEIKYU BLUE SKY TRAIN」となり出場 [Keikyu 2100 series set 21343 outshopped in "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  8. ^ a b 私鉄車両編成表 2016 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2016. p. 35. ISBN 978-4-330-70116-5.
  9. ^ 京浜急行電鉄2100形車体・機器更新車 [Keikyu 2100 series refurbished set]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 53, no. 631. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2013. p. 53.
  10. ^ 京急 台湾鉄路管理局のラッピング列車 運転開始 [Keikyu starts running train in Taiwan Railways Administration livery]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.

External links edit