fall inside a hole
Tomix Thomas the Tank Engine series
First written September 25, 2024
With the success of Thomas the Tank Engine on Japanese television and Tomy's Plarail Thomas series and other Thomas toys selling well, in the late 1990s Tomy began producing N gauge Thomas the Tank Engine ready to run trains, sets, and accessories as part of their Tomix range. Four engines - Thomas, Percy, James, and Henry - were produced, with Gordon planned but never produced. Allegedly, the 2002 mechanism update of Thomas around when FineTrack was introduced was the first N gauge model train with a flywheel, predating the more-in-scale DD51 with flywheel also released by Tomix in early 2004. This series was produced until 2012 and was even exported overseas, with the range being revived in 2016 with CGI-updated Thomas, Percy and James with updated motors.
Thomas-series trains
Tomy sold Thomas-series engines and rolling stock in individual or multi-pack releases. In 2021 a more traditional N scale Tomix model of the real-life Oigawa Railway Thomas the Tank Engine was released as an individual engine and in a large train pack with seven coaches including one with an additional drive mechanism and motor and a dummy ED501
| Year | Name | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Thomas the Tank Engine Train Set | Thomas with Annie and Clarabel |
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| 1999 | James Train Set | James with tender and two troublesome trucks | |
| 1999 | SCRuffy Freight Car Set | Rolling stock pack containing troublesome truck S.C.Ruffy and a troublesome van |
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| 1999 | Yellow Tank Wagon Set | Sodor Fuel tanker and troublesome truck | |
| 2000 | Thomas N-Gauge Accessory Set | Export package of Thomas, Annie and Clarabel |
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| 2001 | Henry Express Train Set | Henry with tender and brake coach |
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| 2001 | Express Passenger Car (Red) | Individual red express car | |
| 2002 | Annie and Clarabel Passenger Car Set | Annie and Clarabel two-pack | |
| 2005 | Percy the Tank Engine Car Set | Percy with mail car and three additional interchangeable faces | |
| 2005 | Mail Car (Thomas Series) | Individual Sodor Mail car | |
| 2016 | Thomas the Tank Engine Train Set | Rereleased CGI-face Thomas with Annie and Clarabel | |
| 2017 | Percy the Tank Engine Train Set | Percy with S.C.Ruffy | |
| 2017 | James Train Set | James with tender, troublesome truck, and van |
Thomas-series sets
Thomas series sets are all-in-one and include at least an oval of track, ready-to-run train, and power pack speed controller.
| Year | Name | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Thomas the Tank Engine Starter Set | The first Thomas-series set with oval of track, track mat, power pack, and Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel |
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| 1999 | Thomas the Tank Engine DX Set | Large multi-level layout including the three individual Thomas-series scenery pieces and a large formed base with mountain and other painted decorations with Thomas, coaches, and controller | |
| 2002 | Basic Set SD Thomas the Tank Engine | Oval set with track mat and Thomas with two trucks | |
| 2005 | Percy the Tank Engine Starter Set | Oval set with Percy, mail car, and three interchangeable faces | |
| 2016 | Thomas the Tank Engine Set | Thomas with Annie and Clarabel and oval of track with level crossing | |
| 2016 | Thomas the Tank Engine DX Set | Larger deluxe set with switch and siding, additional curve rails, and the three previously-released Thomas-series accessories | |
| 2017 | Percy the Tank Engine Set | Percy with S.C.Ruffy, oval of track with level crossing, and controller |
Thomas-series accessories
Three buildings based on ones seen in the Thomas the Tank Engine TV show were released individually in 1999 and were included in some Thomas series sets since. A large diorama base was also sold as part of a large DX set which also included the other buildings.
| Year | Name | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Thomas N Gauge Series Station Set | N scale Ffarquhar Station |
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| 1999 | Thomas N Gauge Series Watermill Set | Watermill similar in design to one shown in the Thomas TV show |
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| 1999 | Thomas N Gauge Series Windmill Set | Windmill based on one seen in the Thomas series |
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Thomas N Gauge Series Station Set (1999)
A station based on the television show appearance of Ffarquhar Station. There aren't any added details like the map or timetable board or even the name of the station, although there are molded places for them.
Thomas N Gauge Series Watermill Set (1999)
A rather neat looking watermill with rotating wheel based on one seen in the Thomas television show.
Thomas N Gauge Series Windmill Set (1999)
Also in 1999, this windmill resembling one seen in the television series was released. The stairs section at the rear is a separate piece.
Although they are a little simple, I think they look rather nice with the little running Thomas.