Seibu Railway will introduce the first new train in 40 years, the L00 Series (Leo Kei), on its Yamaguchi Line (Leo Liner), which will begin commercial operation on March 27.
The first of the three trains was shown to the press. Currently, running tests and crew training are being conducted in preparation for the start of commercial operation.
The Yamaguchi Line is a single-track line connecting three stations between Tamako Station in Higashimurayama City, Tokyo and Seibu Kyujo-mae Station in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, and is operated by an AGT train with pneumatic rubber tires. Along the line are the Seibu Group’s leisure facilities such as Beruna Dome (Seibu Dome) and Seibuen Yuenchi (Seibu Garden Amusement Park).
The name “L00 Series (Leo Kei)” was derived from the triple meaning of the Saitama Seibu Lions (Lions), Seibuen Yuenchi (Leisure), and Lake Tama (Lake) along the line, and the “00” was taken from the image of the infinite (∞) possibilities of the line.
The first train is designed in the image of the Saitama Seibu Lions, with a white and silver exterior and uniform-like horizontal lines throughout. The front of the train is black with a white border and the name “LEO LINER SERIES L00” on the right side of the front. The first car has a large silhouette of “Leo,” the official mascot of the Seibu Lions, on the side, and the two middle cars have the “Lions” logo. 4-car train.
The exterior of the train was not turned on for safety reasons. Therefore, the front light and destination indicator are not lit.
Inside the cars, the cross-seats of the 8500 Series have been replaced with long seats. All four cars have space for wheelchairs and baby carriages, and the seat immediately after the crew room is a “kids seat. The seats immediately behind the crew cabins are “kids seats,” where parents and children can sit together and enjoy the view from the window. The door openings are wider, with glass windows that extend down to the passengers’ feet to enhance the sense of openness, and two LCD displays are installed above the doorways.
In addition, the intermediate cars have vertical showcases that will be used to display the uniforms of Saitama Seibu Lions players.
© Source travel watch