Keisei AE series (2010)

The Keisei AE series (Airport Express) is a limited express electric multiple unit operated by the Keisei Electric Railway since July 2010.
==History==
The AE series sets were introduced as a new and modern train to ply the Keisei Narita Sky Access Line. The trains were designed to be capable of higher speeds than usual and were also designed to carry more passengers with the expected opening of a new terminal at Narita Airport. Eight sets were built between 2009 and 2010, numbered AE1 through AE8; these entered service on 17 July 2010. A ninth set was built in 2019.
The sets were the recipient of the 2010 Good Design Award and the 2011 Blue Ribbon Award; these two awards are somewhat significant as these were the first Keisei cars to receive the Good Design Award, as well as the second Keisei cars to receive the Blue Ribbon Award, after the first generation AE series cars.
==Design==
The AE series sets use a heavily raked and streamlined design. The design was chosen to sort of illustrate the concept of wind flowing over the cars, showing a sense of speed, as well as invoking that wind plays a role as a carrier and gives its riders "an invitation to travel"; these all combine to show that the AE series trains are intended by Keisei to be the fastest means of transportation to Narita Airport.
The general design of the sets and graphic design for the Skyliner logo was done by the late fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto. Other exterior design elements were penned by Tokyu Car Corporation's design department while interior design was handled by Nippon Sharyo. On-board musical motifs were composed by keyboardist and bandleader Minoru Mukaiya, also known for composing many of the jingles at various Japanese subway stations.
==Specifications==
Construction of the cars is of a double-skinned aluminum alloy, the first implementation of an aluminum body since the 1600 series cars. The sets use 2-level IGBT drives manufactured by Tōyō Denki Seizō which produce a whining noise.
The sets feature a musical horn which play a regal bugle tune; this type of horn is the first of its kind on the Keisei Electric Railway. The horn melody was composed by Minoru Mukaiya and was unveiled about a year before the trains's debut.
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Keisei trains
Category:Nippon Sharyo locomotives
Category:Tokyu Car locomotives