Nikkō (train)
{{short description|Japanese limited express train service}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Nikkō
| image = JR East E253-1000 series 011.JPG
| image_width = 300px
| caption = A 253-1000 series EMU on a Nikko service in June 2017
| type = Limited express
| status =
| locale = Yamanote Freight Line, Tohoku Main Line, Tobu Nikko Line
| predecessor =
| first = 1956 (Semi express)
1963 (Express)
2006 (Limited express)
| last =
| successor =
| operator = JR East/Tobu Railway
| formeroperator= JNR
| ridership =
| start = {{STN|Shinjuku|x}}
| stops =
| end = {{STN|Tōbu Nikkō|x}}
| distance =
| journeytime =
| frequency =
| trainnumber =
| class =
| access =
| seating =
| catering =
| observation =
| entertainment=
| otherfacilities=
| stock = 253-1000 series, Tobu 100 series EMUs
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm}}
| el = 1,500 V DC overhead
| speed = {{Convert|120|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}
| owners =
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}}
The {{nihongo|Nikkō|日光}} and {{nihongo|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 {{STN|Shinjuku|x}} in Tokyo and {{STN|Tōbu Nikkō|x}} in Tochigi Prefecture.{{cite book | script-title=ja: ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル |trans-title=JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File| publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun | year = 2008 | location = Japan | page = 76| isbn = 978-4-330-00608-6}}
Station stops
Nikkō and Spacia Nikkō services stop at the following stations.JR Timetable, March 2013 issue, p. 102
- {{STN|Shinjuku|x}}
- {{STN|Ikebukuro|x}}
- {{STN|Urawa|x}}
- {{STN|Ōmiya|x|Saitama}}
- {{STN|Tochigi|x}}
- {{STN|Shin-Kanuma|x}}
- {{STN|Shimo-Imaichi|x}}
- {{STN|Tōbu Nikkō|x}}
Rolling stock
Since 4 June 2011, services are formed of refurbished 253-1000 series 6-car EMU sets.{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2011/06/04/072900.html|script-title=ja:485系が"日光"・"きぬがわ"運用を終える|trans-title= End of 485 series operations on Nikko and Kinugawa services|date= 4 June 2011|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= Japanese|accessdate= 4 June 2011}} Tobu 100 series Spacia EMUs may also be substituted on these services, in which case they are named Spacia Nikkō. 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 {{Nihongo|Ayano|彩野}}.
=Past=
- KiHa 44800 DMUs (October 1956–September 1959)
- 157 series EMUs (September 1959–March 1963)
- 165 series EMUs (March 1963–October 1982)
- 485 series/189 series EMUs (March 2006–June 2011)
Tobu-Series100 gold.jpg|A Tobu 100 series Spacia EMU in special gold "Nikko Moude" livery in April 2017
File:485 G58 Nikko omiya.JPG|A JR East 485 series EMU at Omiya Station on a Nikko service in March 2011
File:189kei Ayano 20100912 1114 photo by toshinori baba.jpg|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 {{STN|Ueno|x}} in Tokyo and {{STN|Nikkō|x}} 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 fitted with air-conditioning and transferred to Tokaido Main Line duties.{{cite magazine| last = Kubo| first = Satoshi| script-title=ja: 日光参詣への峠道-1|trans-title= The mountain route to Nikko|magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 51| issue = 605|pages=120–125| publisher = Kōyūsha Co., Ltd.| location = Japan | date = September 2011 }}
=Semi-express ''Shōnan Nikkō''=
From 1 April 1961, the seasonal Ideyu semi express services that operated between Tokyo and {{STN|Itō|x}} 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.{{cite magazine| last = Miyake | first = Toshihiko | script-title=ja: 伊豆への優等列車のあゆみ|trans-title= History of premier trains to Izu|magazine=Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine | volume = 40| issue = 332|pages=24–31| publisher = Kotsu Shimbun | location = Japan | date = December 2011}} The 157 series EMUs on these services were replaced by 165 series from 25 March 1963. 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.{{cite book| last = Teramoto | first = Mitsuteru | script-title=ja: 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 |trans-title= JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia| publisher = Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. | date = July 2001 | location = Tokyo, Japan | isbn = 4-88732-093-0}}
- 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.
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type
| KuMoHa 157 || MoHa 156 || SaRo 157 || SaHa 157 || MoHa 156 || KuMoHa 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. This service operated until 14 October 1982, made redundant by the opening of the Tohoku Shinkansen.{{cite book | script-title=ja: 列車名鑑1995 |trans-title= Train Name Directory 1995| publisher = Railway Journal| date = August 1995 | location = Japan| page = 128 }}
=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 {{STN|Shinjuku|x}} and {{STN|Tōbu Nikkō|x}}, utilizing a newly constructed link between the two railways' tracks at Kurihashi Station, where trains stop briefly for a crew change.
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
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110324013443/https://www.jreast.co.jp/train/express/485nikko.html JR East 485 series Nikkō/Kinugawa] {{in lang|ja}}
{{JR East trains}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nikko}}
Category:Named passenger trains of Japan
Category:East Japan Railway Company
Category:Railway services introduced in 1956
Category:Railway services introduced in 2006