Keikyu 2100 series

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.[1] A total of 10 8-car sets were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries,[2] and Tokyu Car,[3] and the first sets entered service on 28 March 1998.

Keikyu 2100 series
Set 2101 in July 2014
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Kobe) and Tokyu Car (Yokohama)
Replaced	Keikyu 2000 series
Entered service	28 March 1998
Refurbished	2013–2016
Number built	80 vehicles (10 sets)
Formation	8 cars per trainset
Capacity	942 passengers
Operator(s)	Keikyu
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium
Car length	18,000 mm (59 ft 1 in) (intermediate cars) 18,170 mm (59 ft 7 in) (end cars)
Width	2,830 mm (9 ft 3 in)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Original: GTO-VVVF (Siemens) Current: IGBT-VVVF (Toyo Denki)
Acceleration	3.5 km/h/s
Deceleration	4.0 km/h/s (service) (4.5 km/h/s emergency)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead line
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)

Electrical Motor systems

Its original GTO-VVVF propulsion system was supplied by Siemens.[4] The 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 Toyo Denki IGBT-VVVF, which does not have a solfège scale.[6]

Formation

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.[7]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Designation	Muc	T	Tp	Mu	Ms	T	Tp	Msc
Numbering	21xx	21xx	21xx	21xx	21xx	21xx	21xx	21xx

The two "Tp" cars are each fitted with two single-arm pantographs.[7]

Interior

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.

• 
  Interior view

Refurbishment

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.[8]

By March 2015, all of the original Siemens-powered GTO-VVVF traction motors were replaced with new IGBT-VVVF traction motors manufactured by Toyo Denki.[9]

Livery variations

Trainset 2157 carried a "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery, and used on airport services from 11 June 2005. From March 2015, set 2133 received the "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery.[9] 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.

• 
  Set 2157 in "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery in October 2006
• 
  Set 2133 in "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery modified to resemble Taiwan Railways livery in May 2016
• 
  Set 2133 in "Keikyu Blue Sky Train" livery in May 2017

References

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 京浜急行電鉄 2100形 Archived 19 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Tokyu Car, retrieved 30 June 2008
4. Metro System, Eight-Car Units, Keihin Kyuko, Tokyo, Japan Archived 23 August 2007 at Archive.today, Siemens AG, retrieved 30 June 2008
5. "「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, 4 June 2008. Retrieved on 27 October 2008. (in Japanese)
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. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
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. Retrieved 22 February 2016.

External links

• Keikyu 2100 series official information (in Japanese)