New Narita Express

[Mulboyne]

JR East has announced that it will be introducing new rollling stock for the Narita Express in autumn next year. The carriages will feature expanded security systems including cameras monitoring the luggage areas. The top speed remains at 130km, still limited by the track, so journey times will be no different. They will be the first new rolling stock for the route since it opened. Keisei Railway, who run a rival service to the airport, intends to open a revamped line in 2010 which will allow a top speed of 160km and cut the travelling time between Narita and Nippori on the Yamanote line to 36 minutes. Since JR will not be able to compete on speed, the company is hoping the improvements will help them retain business. They say that all existing trains will be replaced by the new carriages withn two years of the introduction of the new design. That artist's impression makes it look like a toaster.

[dimwit]

Maybe good for Tokyoites but for all of us having to go thru Haneda it won't change a thing as it still take forever to get to the Yamanote Line.

[Kuang_Grade]

I imagine there will be discussions among J train otakus about how the new train is typical cold and uptight Tokyo Style vs. the more lively vaguely luchadore wrestling mask style train at KIX

[FG Lurker]

I imagine there will be discussions among J train otakus about how the new train is typical cold and uptight Tokyo Style vs. the more lively vaguely luchadore wrestling mask style train at KIX

Those trains are awesome. Fast, quiet, and comfortable. Spend the extra few hundred yen for Super Seats (think Green Car) and you will have the carriage nearly to yourself.

Generally when I fly out from KIX I take a taxi to Namba and then the Rapit down to the airport. From house to airport in about an hour if I get the connection timed well.

Apparently the design was modeled after the face mask of a famous knight but I can't remember which one.

[IkemenTommy]

Apparently the design was modeled after the face mask of a famous knight but I can't remember which one.

Maybe you are thinking of this..

[ttjereth]

JR East has announced that it will be introducing new rollling stock for the Narita Express in autumn next year. The carriages will feature expanded security systems including cameras monitoring the luggage areas. The top speed remains at 130km, still limited by the track, so journey times will be no different. They will be the first new rolling stock for the route since it opened. Keisei Railway, who run a rival service to the airport, intends to open a revamped line in 2010 which will allow a top speed of 160km and cut the travelling time between Narita and Nippori on the Yamanote line to 36 minutes. Since JR will not be able to compete on speed, the company is hoping the improvements will help them retain business. They say that all existing trains will be replaced by the new carriages withn two years of the introduction of the new design. That artist's impression makes it look like a toaster.

Mulboyne, do you have any links to news or announcements about the new Keisei improvements (English or Japanese would be fine)? Are they just replacing the trains/improving the lines on the current Keiseihonsen or will this be an entirely new line?

Nevermind, found it myself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narita_Rapid_Railway

[Mulboyne]

You not only found the information before I saw your post, you undoubtedly found it well before I would have done even if I had seen your question earlier.

[ttjereth]

You not only found the information before I saw your post, you undoubtedly found it well before I would have done even if I had seen your question earlier.

I couldn't find anything on the main Keisei site, so ended up digging through it with google for the 2010 date you posted which led me to the name of the new line which led to wikipedia.

All thanks to your original post. Unfortunately, the information didn't turn out as useful as I'd hoped.

[Mulboyne]

Japan Probe has a post with video on the new Keisei Skyliner.

[Taro Toporific]

The carriages will feature expanded security systems including cameras monitoring the luggage areas.

Just a reminder to n00bs: Gaijin are specifically TARGETED for luggage theft going to Narita (engrish teachers' bags are full of iPods, laptops and cash earned).

[Greji]

Just a reminder to n00bs: Gaijin are specifically TARGETED for luggage theft going to Narita (engrish teachers' bags are full of iPods, laptops and cash earned).

Ahh, Taro, are you referring to Iraira and my red cap service?