fall inside a hole
Double Rail Parts Set (1977)
The Double Rail Parts Set (部品セット複線) was released in 1977 and was made to expand the numbered Basic sets with some double track-style sections to add an outer passing loop. The three Basic sets in their expanded form are shown on the back of the box as well as a large setup with many 1970s Plarail accessories. The G-26 on the rear of the box means that this box was printed and the contents likely produced in 1977, the year it was first released.
Set contents
| Quantity |
Item |
Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | R-02 Half Straight Rail |
 |
| 4 | R-03 Curve Rail |
 |
| 2 pieces | R-13 Single/Double Point Rail (one pair) |
 |
| 2 | Catenary |
 |
The Double Rail Parts Set is a track pack accessory with single/double point rails that add an outer passing loop to the Basic No.1, No.2, and No.3 sets as well as pretty much any other Plarail set. Despite the "double rail" name, the only actual pieces of double rail are the single/double rail switches with normal curve rails and half straight rails used to make up a psuedo-double rail curve with the inner curve rails of the original set.
The tracks in this "set" are presumably from around 1977 and are made in Japan roughtop type rails. At this time it appears the single/double point rails were still unmarked other than molding circles on the "bottom" of the rails. The curve rails have the V-split in the connector. The half straight rails are still fairly early, having only been introduced in 1974, but they have the rounded track connector as well as the "cut mark" partway down the length of the rail that was present on early half straight rail toolings.
The catenaries in this set do not have region of manufacture or slot marks and are the slightly lighter red version used around 1977.
My copy of this set also included two of these small sheets explaining how the rails are made of flexible plastic but should be laid down flat when used.
The track pack is shown expanding the numbered Basic sets like the period Basic No.2 Set Hikari with Light shown here. The outer loop could be added to the other end of the set as well as expand pretty much any Plarail set from any time period to be honest. The Basic No.3 Set would probably look even more impressive with an additional passing section.
Although the hang-tag track pieces are very cool I think having an all-in-one track pack like this is also a nice idea that gives you an easy "upgrade" to a Basic set that gives you enough track to run a second train around. Tomy doesn't really produce sets quite like the old Basic sets any more, and the toy market is different from how it was in the 1970s or even 1990s or early 2000s, but I think the basic packaging and sensible track expansion ideas are cool. Tomy also released similar track packs around the same time to add elevated portions to layouts.