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Tomy Super Rail
In the 1970s Tomy decided to develop a larger intermediate train toy to fill the position between Plarail and something like a traditional model railway. A range of different track, trains, accessories, and sets were released. Trains had reversing gearboxes and more advanced types could uncouple cars and change speeds. This system was sold as スーパーレール or Super Rail and seems to have first appeared around 1972. In the mid 1970s the series was renamed "Super Rail Black" and sets remained on sale into the early 1990s.
The series was exported to the United States in the mid 1970s as Switch-A-Rail and to Spain by Geyper, both with a few exclusive sets and trains. The Spanish version was so popular that the sets were reissued years later.
Trains
Super Rail trains are larger than Plarail or common wooden-type trains. They are made of plastic with reversing gearboxes, with some trains also being able to change speed, with actions controllable by different controllable track sections or static triggers that can be clipped into the rail.
Some trains are driven by their intermediate car and others by the lead car, with some freight sets having automatic coupling and uncoupling features. A few trains also have light features.
All trains have at least a simple reversing gearbox - a hanging lever moves two contrate gears back and forth so that alternating ones contact the motor pinion, swapping which direction the drive wheels are spinning. Because of the momentum of the big trains with C batteries running them, they slow down and reverse nicely after getting triggered to switch direction. Some track sections can even stop a train by holding it in neutral.
Lots of trains run on two wheelsets per car but a few later trains like the 200 series Shinkansen have two four-wheel boogies.
Rail and Accessories
Older early 1970s Super Rail track was tannish grey while Super Rail Black series track was black with silver-painted rail surfaces. Several radius of curve and different point rails were produced as well as an elevation system. More information about Super Rail track and accessories can be seen on the Super Rail rail page.
Sets
Super Rail sets ranged from fairly small basic sets with three-piece trains and small track layouts to absolutely massive multi-train sets with elevation.
| Year | Set name | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | ED-75 Set | Early Super Rail Black set with reversing, two-speed ED75 locomotive and coupling and uncoupling freight cars |
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| 1978 | D-51 with Headlight Set | D-51 steam locomotive with oval and siding with automatic coupling and uncoupling feature |
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| 1979 | Limited Express Tsubame Set | Oval with reversing track and 151 series Tsubame limited express train |
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| 1980 | Hikari with Headlight Set | Small oval set with 0 series Hikari train with lit nose |
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| 1987 | Tokaido Sanyo New Shinkansen Set | Basic oval set with 100 series "New Shinkansen" |
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Catalogues
| Title | Description | Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Tomy Super Rail | Later 1978 Super Rail Black catalogue |
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| Plarail Super Rail/Action Rail '90 Catalogue | 1990 catalogue showing Plarail, the remaining Super Rail range, and a few other Tomy toys |
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