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Tomy Super Rail Accessories

In the 1970s Tomy developed the Super Rail (スーパーレール) range as a larger intermediate train toy to fill the position between Plarail and something like a traditional model railway. In this vein, a variety of accessories like operating crossings and a nice large platform station and other accessories were produced as well as smaller train set staples like trees, signals and electrical poles.

Control Inserts (1972)

The original two-speed Super Rail sets had orange reversing and speed-change plates. Super Rail Black changed these to grey.

The reversing plate will reverse a train that hits it if it passes over the insert in the opposite direction of the arrow, sending it back the way the arrow points. Coming from the other direction trains pass right through. The early orange plates had the angle approach the middle from both sides but by the time of the first DD-20 set in the late Super Rail era circa late 1974 the angle on the tail-end side of the reversing section was lowered in height.

The speed plates are a little more complex - they only work with two-speed trains, of course, and the direction that the "point" of the molded arrow points will move the speed selector lever towards that side of the passing train (if it is not already). This changes which gear is selected based on which direction the train is facing, not which direction it is heading.

Two different lengths of horn activation inserts for the EF-66 with horn were made, so it could be triggered for a longer or shorter time. The Klaus set with turntable included an uncoupling insert.

The American Switch-A-Rail series had black inserts, including an uncoupling insert.

Electrical Catenary (1972)

This single-pole side-mounted style of overhead wire catenary was first made in a very light and somewhat greyish blue color for early Super Rail and in off-white starting with Super Rail Black. The single line poles were later used for Plarail with the clip bases removed in favor of adapting the pole to fit into the holes of block piers and the red tree and signal-style bases.

A fully over-the-track catenary made up of three different pieces appeared by the second year of Super Rail in 1976. It would have been neat if they made a double-track version, but I think it would have had to be pretty large, and the single poles can be used just fine on double track and wider lanes at the standard 60mm spacing.

Signal (1972)

The original Super Rail signal was a standalone semaphore signal. A three-color light-type signal was introduced by 1976. In the later 1970s a slot-in style that sets beside the track was also produced. and a clip-in light-type signal were all produced. Later, the standalone semaphore signal was also borrowed for Plarail.

Station Platform (1974)

The Super Rail station platform was introduced first in earlier 1974 with a blue station platform and translucent red roof, a very luxurious look.

By the Super Rail Black era, the colors were changed to be a little more realistic, with a dark blue platform and grey roof. A kiosk sits in the middle of the station.

The station is made up of 18 pieces in all, with the benches and some of the signs being interchangeable. Four pillars hold the roof up, from which the signs and a signal light hang. There are many stickers used.

The hanging signs identify the station as Tokyo Station and the other sign has a map and time board. Platform numbers hang from the ceiling and are marked with more stickers on the side of the platform base.

The bases are molded to let you clip them together in a line.

The tooling for this station was later updated and used for Plarail in the Sound - Door Opening and Closing Yamanote Line Set. This version has a new kiosk and redesigned roof section, and none of the pieces come off, although a variety of stickers still fill out the signboards, and it still has a very nice size to it.

Buffers (1974)

In later 1974 a clip-in buffer piece was produced to cap off the first set with a siding. A larger buffer with integrated rail section was produced starting in the later 1970s.

Trees (1980)

Two styles of tree appeared by 1980 - a harder rounded canopy type and a taller four-piece fir tree that was also used for Plarail.

Tunnel (1980)

A four-piece green tunnel with grey brick portals appeared by 1980. Earlier 1980s versions had darker green plastic mixed in - on later ones it seems to be more subtle.

This tunnel was later used with brown portals for the Thomas Plarail series.

Railing ramp (early 1980s)

To make it easier to put the new larger two-bogie trains on the rails, a grey railing ramp was included in many 1980s sets. It appeared by 1981.