On March 12th this year, JR East launched a new model, named EMU E131-600 series, on the Nikko line. Introduction of the new train was for the first time in nine years on the line.
Let me quickly review the Nikko line. Nikko is a popular resort area, some 130 kilometers north of Tokyo. Shrines and temples in the region are registered as World Heritages. There're two railway routes from downtown Tokyo to Nikko. One is the Tobu Railway, while another is the JR East. If you take the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo station, you should transfer to the Nikko line at Utsunomiya station. Connecting Utsunomiya and Nikko, the route length of the Nikko line is 40.5 kilometers. The track is single and electrified (1,500V DC). The gauge size is 1,067 millimeters.
Let's head to the main topic. The new train, E131-600 series, is the "younger brother" of the existing E131-0 and the E131-500 series. Different from the two "older brothers", the E131-600 series has brown and yellow-colored stripes. This color design was inspired by the float dedicated to the deity in a local festival. In addition, this new train has a defrosting pantograph, as the Nikko line is located in the cold region.
The E131-600 series is the 3-car train. 15 sets in total were built by J-TREC Niitsu factory. As a result, the existing trains, 205-600 series, had to be retired from the track. Goodbye, the 205-600 series. You did a fine job for a long time.
