Nikkō (train)

The Nikkō (日光) and Spacia Nikkō (スペーシア日光) are limited express train services in Japan operated jointly by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Tobu Railway between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Tōbu Nikkō in Tochigi Prefecture.[1]

Nikkō
A 253-1000 series EMU on a Nikko service in June 2017
Overview
Service typeLimited express
LocaleYamanote Freight Line, Tohoku Main Line, Tobu Nikko Line
First service1956 (Semi express)
1963 (Express)
2006 (Limited express)
Current operator(s)JR East/Tobu Railway
Former operator(s)JNR
Route
TerminiShinjuku
Tōbu Nikkō
Technical
Rolling stock253-1000 series, Tobu 100 series EMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)[1]

Station stops

Nikkō and Spacia Nikkō services stop at the following stations.[2]

Rolling stock

Since 4 June 2011, services are formed of refurbished 253-1000 series 6-car EMU sets.[3] Tobu 100 series Spacia EMUs may also be substituted on these services, in which case they are named Spacia Nikkō.[1] Prior to 4 June 2011, JR East services were formed of a dedicated 6-car 485 series EMU set, which was occasionally substituted by a reserve 189 series set nicknamed Ayano (彩野).[1]

Past
  • A Tobu 100 series Spacia EMU in special gold "Nikko Moude" livery in April 2017
    A Tobu 100 series Spacia EMU in special gold "Nikko Moude" livery in April 2017
  • A JR East 485 series EMU at Omiya Station on a Nikko service in March 2011
    A JR East 485 series EMU at Omiya Station on a Nikko service in March 2011
  • The 189 series Ayano set used as a spare for Nikko services, September 2010
    The 189 series Ayano set used as a spare for Nikko services, September 2010

History

Semi-express Nikkō

The Nikkō service began as a semi-express service between Ueno in Tokyo and Nikkō from 10 October 1956 using KiHa 44800 series DMUs. Following electrification of the line, new 157 series EMUs were introduced from 22 September 1959. These ran as 6-car sets, lengthened to 8 cars during busy seasons. The 157 series sets were subsequently modified with the addition of air-conditioning, and transferred to Tokaido Main Line duties.[4]

Semi-express Shōnan Nikkō

From 1 April 1961, the seasonal Ideyu semi express services that operated between Tokyo and Itō were extended to form new seasonal Shōnan Nikkō services operating between Itō and Nikkō. These were formed of 6-car 157 series sets based at Tamachi Depot in Tokyo.[5] The 157 series EMUs on these services were replaced by 165 series from 25 March 1963.[5] From the October 1968 timetable revision, the services were cut back to a single Nikkō to Itō working, and from 1 October 1970, this service was discontinued, replaced by the Izu 56 working from Tokyo to Itō.[6]

  • 2502T Shōnan Nikkō Itō 07:46 → Nikkō 11:59
  • 2501T Shōnan Nikkō Nikkō 13:45 → Itō 17:50

The trains were formed as shown below.[5]

Car123456
Type KuMoHa 157MoHa 156SaRo 157SaHa 157MoHa 156KuMoHa 157

Express Nikkō

From 25 March 1963, the service was upgraded to "Express" status with the introduction of new 165 series EMUs, running as 7-car formations with the inclusion of a "SaRo" Green (first class) car.[4] This service operated until 14 October 1982, made redundant by the opening of the Tohoku Shinkansen.[7]

Limited express Nikkō

The name was subsequently revived from 18 March 2006 as a limited express service operated jointly by JR East and Tobu between Shinjuku and Tōbu Nikkō, utilizing a newly constructed link between the two railways' tracks at Kurihashi Station, where trains stop briefly for a crew change.[1]

From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2013, Nikkō services also stop at Urawa Station.

See also
  • Kinugawa - a similar service between Shinjuku and Kinugawa-Onsen, also jointly operated by JR East and Tobu

References
  1. ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. p. 76. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. JR Timetable, March 2013 issue, p. 102
  3. 485系が"日光"・"きぬがわ"運用を終える [End of 485 series operations on Nikko and Kinugawa services]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  4. Kubo, Satoshi (September 2011). 日光参詣への峠道-1 [The mountain route to Nikko]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 51, no. 605. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. pp. 120–125.
  5. Miyake, Toshihiko (December 2011). 伊豆への優等列車のあゆみ [History of premier trains to Izu]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 40, no. 332. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. pp. 24–31.
  6. Teramoto, Mitsuteru (July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia]. Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. ISBN 4-88732-093-0.
  7. 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995]. Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 128.
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