1985 Trip to Japan

[beakaboy]

Came across a couple of items the other day from our travels on a tour to Japan in 1985.  We picked up the map from the tax free centre advertised , while shopping there. Can anyone provide any information on what type of trains (i.e. class, model , etc ) would have been operating between Asakusa and Nikko and vice versa . I never took photos while travelling on them and my memory is pretty vague now. I don't have anywhere near the depth of knowledge of railways in Japan that this forum possesses. 

[200系]

Though I wouldn't consider myself an expert on Tōbu on an operational level, the period of your visit does more or less overlap with the tail end of the period I'm most interest in when it comes to the Tōbu Tetsudō, and as such I may be able to provide at least some information.

 

At this point in time, most of the direct limited express services between Asakusa and Nikkō would be operated by the so called Tōbu DRC, or Deluxe Romance Cars, trains. This would include both the 1700 series cars, built between 1956 and 1957, as well as the 1720 series cars built between 1960 and 1973. As the DRC cars would be the main Tōbu limited express type series prior to the introduction of the 100 series (Spacia) in 1990, I'd say these are the likeliest match for your query.

 

-> Tōbu 1720/DRC series trains on various Kegon and Kinu limited express services in 1990. (credit: azumatakeshi)

 

 

-> 34 Minutes of DRC goodness, also filmed in 1990 (credit: つつちちち(original publisher unknown?)

 

That being said, though the 1700/1720 series cars would be the most common, they weren't the only (limited) express types operating direct services between Asakusa and Nikkō, with both the 6000 series and 5700 series still regularly being used for direct services, though at that point in time those were rarely used for Kegon or Kinu services, unless additional capacity was needed during busy periods.

 

-> In my, most certainly biased opinion, the 5700 series is without doubt the most beautiful limited express trains to be built by Tōbu, especially in this version. Various shots of these beautiful cars during their final year of operations. (credit: azumatakeshi)

 

-> 25+ Minutes of 5700 series goodness, shot in 1990 for, what I presume to be, a professional feature on the 5700 series produced for the upcoming retirement of these cars in 1991. (credit: つつちちち(original publisher unknown?)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQWHg4WQL9A

->Simply more 5700 series goodness, beautifully captures the sound of those nose-suspended traction motors. (credit 昭和電車チャンネル)

 

In terms of, direct, commuter types, considering the variety in rolling stock Tōbu was operating at that time, it is a bit more difficult to establish exactly which trains you might've traveled on, or come across. Depending on when exactly you visited in 1985, the oldest trains still operating on the Isesaki/Nikkō line would've been the (absolutely magnificent, in my opinion) 7800 series, with the final 7300 series cars having been scrapped in September 1984. Others would include the 5000 series (5000, 5050 and 5070 series), which combined a newly constructed carbody based on the 8000 series with the electrical equipment, trucks and other parts salvaged from the previously mentioned 7800 series (with the 7800 series carbodies being scrapped after the conversion), though most of them would've already been transferred to the Noda line at this point in time, with the final formations being transferred during the year of your visit. The most common commuter type trains at the time of your visit would've most likely been the 8000 series cars, as that was the most common commuter type train being operated by Tōbu at that time, as well as the largest group of commuter type cars ever to be operated by the company. For direct subway services on the Tōbu Isesaki and Eidan Hibiya line, Tōbu would be mainly relying on the 2000 series cars, which had been the original subway compatible cars built between 1961 and 1971, and the first 10000 series cars which would be delivered during this period, while Eidan 3000 series cars would still be operating all the Eidan through services. That being said, the subway through services obviously didn't originate, nor stop at, Asakusa.

 

-> A great selection of contemporary Tōbu equipment, for that time at least, operating on the Tōbu Isesaki during the period of your visit. In order of appearance: 8000 series, Eidan 3000 series, 7800 series, 1700/1720 series, another 7800 series (2 car + fixed 4 car formation), 1800 series, 6000 series, 2000 series, another 1700/1720 series and finally another 2000 series. Shot between Tōbu Dōbutsukōen and Himemiya in 1984. (credit: Kumoha54)

 

-> Tōbu 5050 series cars operating on the Tōbu Utsunomiya line during their final year in service (2006). The magnificent gearbox growl produced by the, original 7800 series, nose-suspended traction motors is clearly audible in all its glory throughout the video. (credit: rabuca2012)

 

 

-> And just because I can, an excellent sound recording showcasing the glorious sound produced by their nose suspended traction motors used by these cars. And while it doesn't have anything to do with your query, at least not in a direct sense, I did want to use this opportunity to geek out over these magnificent cars, and especially their direct predecessors in the 7800 series from which they received their traction motors and gearbox. Being a massive 7800 series fan in general, without doubt one of my absolute favorite trains ever built, the gearbox sound produced by both the Hitachi HS-269 and Tōyō Denki TDK-544 type traction motors, with their high, for a nose-suspended traction motor, rated speed of around 1250 rpm, truly results in what I would consider the best sounding trains period, though I most certainly wouldn't consider myself to be unbiased in any way or shape. (credit: tetsu tsunu)

 

Aside from direct services on the Isesaki/Nikkō line, other series like the 3070 series cars, re-bodied cars using the electrical equipment, trucks etc of scrapped 54 series cars (similar to the 5000 series cars, though the 3000 series cars were converted almost a decade prior), would still be used on the Nikkō line, while the brand new 6050 series, as a successor to the earlier mentioned 6000 series, would also see service on the Nikkō line during this period.

 

-> 3070 Series cars attacking the 25 per mille grade between Shin-Tochigi and Nikkō sometime during the early 90's (I presume). As with the 5000/5050 and 5070 series cars, the sound of their nose-suspended traction motors echoes beautifully as the Nikkō bound train ascends toward it's destination. (credit: w218d)

 

->A little bit of a bonus, a forward view of the section between Myōjin and Shimo-Imaichi taken from KuHa 3674. Though the gearbox sound of the nose-suspended traction motors is of course muted as this was filmed from a trailer control car, the sound of the old fashioned, reciprocating, compressor at the beginning as well as the effort required by the old girl to accelerate up the grade , really add to the charm in my opinion. (credit: w218d)

 

I hope this answers you're query, or perhaps stirs a long forgotten memory somewhere along the line😅, and if not that this may at least be an enjoyable read/watch instead.

Edited February 25 by 200系

[beakaboy]

thanks very much 200. i intend going over my photos again from 1985 to see if there are any train shots I missed. I honestly can't remember much about our trip getting to Nikko. I tend to remember the numerous Shinkansen experiences more , due to the speed we were travelling at.