Tuesday 12 March 2013

Replacing the Old with the New on the Nikko Line

EMU JR East 107 series stands at Utsunomiya Station on the Nikko Line
 
Nikko is located some 130 kilometers north of Tokyo, and is one of the most renowned sightseeing spots in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The shrines and temples as well as the remains in the region are registered as world heritages. Nikko's main attractions are the world heritage sites of Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple.

Nikko is a popular sightseeing spot among foreigners because of its nature, culture and convenient location. The most popular route from downtown Tokyo is the Tobu Line. It takes less than two hours by the luxury limited express, "Spacia" (see my blog on October 19th, 2011).

Along with the Tobu Line, we have another railway route to Nikko. It is the JR East Nikko Line. Connecting Utsunomiya, the major city of Tochigi Prefecture, and Nikko, the total line length is 40.5 kilometers. The main fleet of the Nikko Line is the EMU 107 series, which was launched in 1988 to replace an old EMU 165 series.

Since its debut, the 107 series has been assuming a heavy responsibility to transport flocking sightseers to Nikko; however, as the era of the 107 comes to an end. It becomes time to say goodbye, since a new EMU, 205 series, will be launched to replace the 107 series on March 16th. Currently, a poster to announce the replacing the old with new trains has been put up in Utsunomiya Station.

Thanks the EMU 107 series. The last run will be March 15th, 2013.
 
Poster to announce the replacing the old with the new trains is put up in Utsunomiya Station.
 
More information about EMU JR East 107 series (in Japanese):