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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. In the later 70s 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. 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. Some trains are driven by their intermediate car and others by the lead car, with some freight sets having automatic coupling and uncoupling 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.
Rail
Older Super Rail track was tannish grey while later "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.
Straight Rail
Super Rail straight track is approximately 344mm long. This matches the radius of the "B" curve. The older grey example shown has cracked track connectors.
1/2 Straight Rail
Super Rail half straight track is approximately 172mm long.
Curved Rail
Earlier Super Rail had both an A and B radius curve rail that fit around each other with a difference in radius matching the width between the tracks in the crossover switch. Curves are 45 degrees each and are eight to a circle.
The "B" radius curves measure in around 144mm, matching the normal straight rail, and the A curves are 60mm wider at around 204mm and the C curves, developed later (presumably because it made sets cheaper and smaller), are 60mm tighter at 84mm. The relation with the crossover switch means the different radii work together well in concentric circles, although mixing different radii may get the track into a configuration that makes it hard to reconnect without an equally varied mix of track pieces to return to the "standard." It is generally easiest to at least use the same radius of curve in a single orbit.
Point Rail
Super Rail Black point rails were produced in both B and C radii.
The straight portion is the same as a half straight rail. The curved portion of C turnouts is the same as a regular curve, but the B turnouts are half the length of a B a curve to give a gentler exit angle... I think this can probably mess up your track geometry if you are not careful to use another B switch with half-length curve somewhere down the line. Each branch is handily marked.
Crossover Point Rail
The crossover point rail is a parallel track section that adheres to the 60mm difference between parallel tracks with a turnout rail going between one track and the other. Unlike some switches of this type, there is only one actual turnout section so a train can only change tracks if they enter from the "correct" end of each of the two tracks. The original Super Rail example shown is missing the directional lever as well as all of the track connection clips.
Return Control Track
The Return Control Track is the length of a half straight and includes two levers which lift reversing plates up in the path of the reversing peg, reversing an engine that enters from the direction that is flipped but allowing a train to otherwise pass out that way (unless both levers are flipped, causing trains to be returned from both sides).
Uncoupling Rail
This automatic coupling/uncoupling rail has an integrated reverser for turning around trains which enter it, and trains and carriages with the spring-loaded couplings required for proper operation will be switches back and forth between coupling up and being left in the siding when the train pulls away. A yellow swinging lever engages with part of the bottom of the train and pulls back, cycling a little catch that alternately raises and lowers the section of the rail beyond the reverser with two raises ridges which come up to actuate the release levers hanging down from the sprung couplings. By pulling the yellow trigger section for the uncoupling mechanism forwards, it disables the mechanism and leaves the track in whatever position it was in previously, pausing the cycle until reengaged.
Slope Rail
Slope rails were somewhat uncommon in Super Rail, in part due to how large (and expensive) the train sets already were with just a simple oval. Slopes, bridges and supports were all produced however, with slope rails being two straights long and made up of two pieces of rail. The lower section has a support towards the top, but the upper section requires a support of some kind to stay up properly. The rail surface was not painted silver but instead had a rack of teeth molded into the rail surface to help trains grip the slope.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | D51 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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| 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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