Saturday 27 September 2014

First-generation N'EX in Danish Rail-fan's Photo Album

First-generation Narita Express (N'EX), EMU JR East 253 series (1996)
Photo: Nicolai Okkels 
 
Following the EMU Keikyu ex-1000 series, I am going to show you the other old train picture from a Danish rail-fan's photo album.

The top photo is the EMU JR East 253 series, Narita Express (N'EX) taken in the mid-1990s. The 253 series was launched in 1991 as the first-generation access train to the New Tokyo International Airport (Narita). Specification of the 253 series was rather old, as it had traditional DC series motors with rheostatic control system, but it received a lot of applause by passengers and rail-fans. For instance, the large baggage storage spaces for international travelers had a good reception.

The 253 series, first-generation N'EX, was retired in 2010, but two sets, twelve units still remain on the JR East Line for use as sightseeing trains to the Nikko area, under new name of the 253-1000 series. Furthermore, the other two sets, six units, were transferred to Nagano Electric Railway (Nagaden) in 2011. They are operated as the EMU 2100 series called Snow Monkey.

Finally, I am going to show the present, second-generation N'EX, E259 series, in the photograph below. The E259 series was launched in 2009. It has the state-of-art equipment and facilities, such as 140 kW three phase induction motors with an IGBT-VVVF inverter control system. The maximum speed of the E259 series is same as that of the 253 series (130 km/hour).

Thank you again Nicolai-san for providing this blog with your precious train photograph.

 
Second-generation Narita Express (N'EX), EMU JR East E259 series (2014)