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Bandai Thomas Connect Collection
First written November 17, 2024The Thomas Connect Collection (トーマスつなげてコレクション) was a series of vinyl Thomas toys released by Bandai during the 1990s Thomas the Tank Engine boom. The figures are made from a single piece of hard vinyl that has no articulation but can be coupled together, hence the name Connect Thomas. These toys are somewhat obscure with only a handful of mentions of the series online nowadays, although most of the toys in this series can be seen in this thread.
Thomas Connect Collection 1 (1995)
The first Thomas Connect Collection box included Thomas, Annie and Clarabel, James, Toby, Oliver, and Daisy.
Thomas
The Thomas in the first collection has pie-cut eyes. The Collection 2 Thomas has circular pupils instead.
Annie
Thomas Connect Collection Annie. Unfortunately, the random assortment of these toys I came across while buying mixed lots of Thomas toys from Japan a few years ago did not include Clarabel.
Oliver
Oliver, looking neat. The range is a little chunky but has a nice look.
Daisy
Daisy, with nicely molded and painted details.
Thomas Connect Collection 2 (1995)
The second Thomas Connect Collection box included Thomas, Edward, Percy, a coal-filled truck, Henry, and Donald and Douglas.
Donald
Donald with connected tender.
Thomas Connect Collection 3 (1995)
The second Thomas Connect Collection box included Gordon, Duck, BoCo, Bill, Ben, and Mavis.
Mavis
Mavis, with nice wasp stripes.
Thomas Connect Collection 4 (1995)
The fourth Thomas Connect Collection box included Skarloey, Sir Handle, Duke and a blue narrow gauge coach, the class 40 Diesel, Henrietta, and Diesel. It seems that the production of Skarloey was such that the funnel could not be properly formed, and it seems like none of the Skarloeys ever had their funnels.
Thomas Connect Collection 5 (1996)
In 1996 the number 5 collection was released featuring Rheneas, Peter Sam, Rusty, and Duncan, Toad, S.C.Ruffy, and Stepney.
Stepney
Stepney, nicely molded.