The was a DC

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number ...

(EMU) train type operated between 1990 and 2016 by the

private railway A private railway is a railroad run by a private business entity (usually a corporation but not need be), as opposed to a railroad run by a public sector. Japan In Japan, , commonly simply ''private railway'', refers to a public transit railway o ...

operator

Keisei Electric Railway The (stylized as K'SEI since 2001) is a major private railway in Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo, Japan. The name ''Keisei'' is the combination of the kanji 京 from and 成 from , which the railway's main line connects. The combination uses diffe ...

on '' Cityliner''

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

services between Tokyo and in Japan. First entering service in June 1990, the trains replaced the earlier AE series EMUs operating on ''

Skyliner The is an airport limited express train service between Tokyo and Narita Airport in Japan. It is operated by Keisei Electric Railway and runs on the Narita Sky Access route. This article also covers the and services. Service The ''Skyli ...

'' services providing a link between Tokyo and

Narita Airport Narita International Airport ( ja, 成田国際空港, Narita Kokusai Kūkō) , also known as Tokyo-Narita, formerly and originally known as , is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Haneda Airport ...

. They had a slant-nosed design with

hidden headlamps Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps, pop-up headlights, flip-eye headlamps, or hideaway headlights, are a form of automotive lighting and an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlamps when they are not ...

Formation

The sets were formed as shown below, with six motored (M) cars and two unpowered trailer (T) cars, and car 1 at the Narita end. * Cars 2 and 7 were each fitted with two scissors-type pantographs. * The "x" in the individual car numbering corresponded to the set number (1 to 7). * Cars 1 and 8 were originally designated as smoking cars, but all cars became no-smoking from 17 July 2010.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consisted of standard class seating only, configured 2+2 abreast with pairs of reclining seats that could be rotated to face the direction of travel. Car 4 was equipped with a toilet and also a wheelchair space. Car 5 had a drink vending machine. File:Keisei AE100 interior 20070728.jpg, Interior view, July 2007 File:Seat of Keisei Skyliner.JPG, Seats

History

The first trains were introduced from June 1990, replacing the earlier AE series sets. The fleet underwent refurbishment between 2001 and 2003, with modifications internally to improve wheelchair accessibility, and changes to the

moquette Moquette, derived from the French word for carpet, is a type of woven pile fabric in which cut or uncut threads form a short dense cut or loop pile. As well as giving it a distinctive velvet-like feel, the pile construction is particularly durabl ...

seat covers. From 17 July 2010, all AE100 series trains were transferred to ''Cityliner'' services. Following the reduction in the number of ''Cityliner'' services, five of the original seven sets were withdrawn and scrapped between 2010 and 2012, leaving just two sets in operation. From the start of the revised timetable on 5 December 2015, regular ''Cityliner'' services were discontinued, leaving the two remaining AE100 series sets without regular duties, although seasonal services were scheduled to continue until the end of January 2016. Two special farewell runs were organized by Keisei Travel on 21 and 28 February 2016, following which the AE100 series trains were officially withdrawn.

Preserved examples

One car, AE161, is preserved at Sogo Depot in

Shisui is a town located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 20,660 in 9,888 households and a population density of 1100 persons per km². The total area of the town is . Etymology The name of Shisui in the Japanese ...

, Chiba Prefecture.

References

{{Keisei trainsets Keisei Electric Railway Electric multiple units of Japan Train-related introductions in 1990 Nippon Sharyo multiple units 1500 V DC multiple units of Japan