Sunday, 16 June 2013

Generational Change on the Nikko Line


EMU JR East 205-600 series stands at Utsunomiya Station on the Nikko Line

The trains on the JR East Nikko Line have totally changed. Replacing the EMU 107 series (see my blog on March 12th, 2013), the new EMU 205-600 series was introduced on March 16th, 2013 (see the top photo).

The 205-600 series had previously been operated on the Keiyo Line in the eastern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Due to the launch of the new train, EMU 233-5000 series on the Keiyo Line, the 205 series was moved to the Nikko Line. As a result, the 107 series, then, got kicked out. It is like a series of linked personnel changes in an office, isn't it?

When the 205 series was moved to the Nikko Line, it was renovated from an urban commuter to a local train. For instance, the number of cars has decreased from 10 to 4. A toilet has been newly equipped in car number 4. The color of the body stripes has also been changed from red to brown, gold and cream.

For your information, the Nikko Line is a sightseeing route from Utsunomiya, a major city of Tochigi Prefecture to Nikko, a World Heritage site. There are 7 stations over a total operating length of 40.5km. The route is an electrified single track.

Nikko is a reputable sightseeing area in the northern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. For example, Konsei pass (see the following picture) is one of my favorite spots to view Mt. Nantai and Lake Yunoko. Beautiful mountains, lakes and historical spots always attract tourists.

View of Mt. Nantai and Lake Yunoko from Konsei Pass in Nikko City