Keihan 3000 series (2008)

The Keihan 3000 series, branded the Comfort Saloon, is a Japanese rapid express electric multiple unit operated by the Keihan Electric Railway since October 2008.
==History==
The 3000 series sets were a new rapid express train intended to be introduced on the Nakanoshima Branch of the Keihan Main Line, slated to open in 2008. Concept artwork for the trains was unveiled in early 2007, with various specifications and paintschemes detailed. Kawasaki Heavy Industries was designated as the manufacturer of these sets, with six eight-car sets manufactured from June to September the same year; the sets began operation with the opening of the Nakanoshima Branch on 19 October 2008.
Starting 2017, Keihan began to introduce "Premium Cars" onto their 8000 series sets; these were essentially reserved seats like on a standard limited express train. Due to their good reception, Keihan decided to introduce the same Premium Car concept to the 3000 series cars, slated to be introduced in January 2021; the company announced this decision in 2019. The Premium Cars were subsequently inserted into the sets and the old cars removed, with the arrangement of some of the cars moved around a little bit; the Premium Car service officially began on 31 January 2021 with Keihan's timetable revision that year. With the introduction of the Premium Car service, the 3000 series cars are now only used on Limited Express, Rapid Express, and Rapid Limited Expressservices and no longer ply the Nakanoshima Branch.
All six sets are in service, all featuring the Premium Car. The remaining six cars taken out from the 3000 series sets are currently being held as surplus; it is not entirely clear what Keihan wishes to do with said cars although they are not likely to be scrapped.
==Design==
The 3000 series use a conventional squared-off design with top-mounted headlights as is typical of many Keihan electric multiple units. These feature an elaborate design with down-curving express daytime running lights. Unlike most Keihan trains however, the 3000 series use a triple headlight fixture as opposed to a double. These were later converted to LED lamp fixtures. The general design of the train was undertaken by GK Design Research Institute Hiroshima.
The 3000 series trains also feature two LCD screens located below the frontal windows; these were not present prior to their refurbishment. These display golden graphics when the train is on a Rakuraku service.
==Specifications==
Construction of the cars is of aluminum alloy based on Kawasaki Heavy Industries's efACE technology. Leading cars are 18.9 meters long. The sets use Tōyō Denki Seizō insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drives which produces a distinctive whining noise.
==See also==
*Gallery
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Keihan trains
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Passenger locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives