There're many preserved rail cars in Japan, but most of them are steam locomotives (SLs). It's probably because regular trains pulled by SLs had already been abolished in this country. SLs must be nostalgic for people. In contrast, preserved commuter trains are quite rare. There're not many commuter trains even in railway museums. Following the old Keikyu commuter train exhibited in Keikyu Museum, I'm going to show you the other precious preserved ex-Keikyu electric car today.
DeHa268 of the DeHa230 series is a 16-meter long electric car. It was a lightweight and high-speed commuter train built by Kisha Seizo in 1936. The original name of DeHa268 was De83 of the Keihin Electric Railway De83 series. Its curved face with three large front windows was state of the art design at that time. The electric control system was rheostatic, and the nose-suspension drive system was used. After operating for 41 years, DeHa268 was retired from the track in 1977.
The present owner of DeHa268 is a model railway manufacturer, Sekisui Kinzoku Company, also known as KATO. You may have KATO's model train sets. I have some of those. KATO took over DeHa268, and has been exhibiting it in front of their main office since September, 1977. Anyone can observe DeHa268 for free. When I recently visited there, local kindergarteners accompanied by nursery teachers were passing by and observing DeHa268. It must be an exciting promenade for children. For your information, KATO's headquarter is located near Minami-Nagasaki station on the Seibu-Ikebukuro line. Thank you, KATO.
