Nikkō (train)
The and are limited express train services in Japan operated jointly by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Tobu Railway between in Tokyo and in Tochigi Prefecture. Station stops. "Nikkō" and "Spacia Nikkō" services stop at the following stations. Rolling stock. Since 4 June 2011, services are formed of refurbished 253-1000 series 6-car EMU sets. 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 . History. Semi-express "Nikkō". The "Nikkō" service began as a semi-express service between in Tokyo and 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. Semi-express "Shōnan Nikkō". From 1 April 1961, the seasonal "Ideyu" semi express services that  operated between Tokyo and 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. 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. The trains were formed as shown below. 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. 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 and , 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.