Keihan 8000 series

The Keihan 8000 series, branded the Elegant Saloon, is a Japanese rapid express electric multiple unit operated by the Keihan Electric Railway since October 1989.
==History==
The 8000 series sets were a new rapid express train intended to be introduced on the Ōtō Branch of the Keihan Main Line, slated to open in 1989. The sets were introduced in order to cope with increased passenger numbers on the line, with the trains being used at the time for rapid express services were 18-year old 3000 series sets. As such, to complement the 3000 series, a single 7-car 8000 series set, 8001, as well as five intermediate cars, were initially manufactured; these were supposed to slot into the 3000 series cars. The sets would initially be branded the Elegant Capital Express.
When 8000 series operation began in October 1989, demand for the 8000 series cars was high; this was increased further due to the opening of the Kamoto Line. It was then decided by Keihan executives that it was best to introduce more 8000 series sets rather than focus on the intermediate cars; as such, 8000 series cars were gradually introduced to replace the 3000 series cars, with all 3000 series cars operating limited express services on the Ōtō Line replaced with 8000 series by 1993. Double-deck cars were then added to the 8000 series cars starting from 1997, based on a trial carried out by 3000 series cars; the sets were also slated to be unified into all 8-car sets, which was completed by 2004 with additional new-build cars being inserted into the sets.
The cars were repainted into a new livery starting from 2010, and other refurbishment works were carried out such as the replacement of seat moquettes, new LCD destination screens and the removal of the old television sets in the cars. Refurbishment works were complete by March 2011. Starting 2016, one car (car 6) from each of the sets was converted into a Premium Car (reserved seat car); this was complete by 2017 and the sets entered service with the Premium Cars on 21 August 2017. Due to this, the trains no longer operate on the Nakanoshima section of the Keihan Main Line and only operate Limited Express, Liner and Rapid services.
As the Premium Car concept was well-received, the same concept was applied to the later 3000 series Comfort Saloon cars; these Premium Cars entered service in January 2021.
==Design==
The 8000 series use a conventional squared-off design with top-mounted headlights as is typical of many Keihan electric multiple units. These feature a simple design with dual express lights. The headlights were later converted to LED lamp fixtures
==Specifications==
Construction of the cars is of aluminum alloy. Leading cars are 18.9 meters long. The sets use field phase control.
==See also==
*Gallery
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Keihan trains
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Passenger locomotives