Spacia Offbounds

[ToniBabelony]

If you have a golden Spacia, but you're having second thoughts about running it with JR East trains up the Tōhoku Main line, don't worry! This weekend one ran all the way up to Nasushiobara from Omiya:

 

 

This was the first time a Spacia ever ran north beyond Kurihashi on the JR East network, so this may promise more odd runs in the future! I wouldn't be surprised...

[Sacto1985]

I believe this was a one-of-a-kind trip to promote tourism from Tokyo to Tochigi Prefecture. That's why the train went as far north as Nasushiobara Station.

[ToniBabelony]

I believe this was a one-of-a-kind trip to promote tourism from Tokyo to Tochigi Prefecture. That's why the train went as far north as Nasushiobara Station.

 

Yes, this was a one-off (announced somewhere in April) and probably just a one-timer, as there are direct Shinkansen to Nasushiobara (Nasuno-gō) from Tokyo, going roughly along the same route as the Tōhoku Main line. Unfortunately, no regular Ltd. Express trains run to Nasushiobara, but there are seasonal runs every now and then! It would be fun to see a Tōbu Asakusa - Nasushiobara service, but due to the complex track layout in Kurihashi, this would be very hard to do operational-wise. There is always the option to create an inverse connection track layout at either Kurihashi or Kuki sta., but this would only be feasible if this service would create sufficient revenue. Of course, it'd also need to fit in between the busy schedule of the regular Tōbu Ltd. Express trains. I'd rather put my money on an 'intensification' of services (maybe one extra run) to open up the Wakamatsu area.

[nah00]

You just had to give me a reason to buy that train, didn't you.