fall inside a hole

Plarail Iron Bridges

Iron Bridge (てっきょう)/J-03 Iron Bridge (J-03 鉄橋) (1964)

<-- J-02 Block Tunnel <-- J-02 Stretching Tunnel

J-04 Big Iron Bridge (1981) --> J-04 Big Iron Bridge (1997) -->

The original single straight iron bridge with iconic red side plates first appeared in the early/mid 1960s, with the Pla-Rail packaging shown here appearing in the early 1970s. Early examples can be seen on some of the early Plarail boxes in the Plarail Museum.

Late 1960s and early 1970s releases have smooth bridge sides with four holes in the top "beam" and use these more fragile but rather stylish white bridge supports.

Beginning in 1975 the individual Iron Bridge began using the brick-patterned bridge supports used with the 1973 Big Iron Bridge. Rivet moldings were added into the red side supports.

Older bridges have longer support nubs but these were shortened at some point in the later 70s.

The iron bridge sides have been released in a few different colors in different sets as well as used as-is in red. The Block Bridge Girder system that began in 1984 integrated supports for the classic red bridge sides, keeping them relevant into the 2000s. Some accessories like the J-29 Horn Rail also used the iron bridge sides.

7485 Rail Bridge (Tomica World) (1998)

Beginning in 1998 iron bridges were exported for the Tomica World range, both individually as 7485 Rail Bridge and as set components. Iron bridges continued to be used in Thomas-series export sets.

J-03 Small Iron Bridge

<-- J-02 Block Tunnel <-- J-02 Stretching Tunnel

J-04 Big Iron Bridge (1981) --> J-04 Big Iron Bridge (1997) -->

The original trapezoidal bridge side tooling was replaced in the individual bridge release with an arched design that can also be flipped upside down to hang below the rails. These bridges come with a new boxier style of bridge support fits in with the Block Bridge Girder system better.

Double Track Iron Bridge (ふくせんてっきょうレール) (1968-1975)

In 1968 alongside the introduction of the new double track rail standard a double track version of the red Iron Bridge was released that used the same bridge sides and included a smooth Double Track Straight Rail and two Double Track Bridge Girders.

The double track version of the iron bridge remained available until 1975, with the original double track straight rail going out of print not long after and not reappearing until the late 1990s.

J-20 Girder Bridge (2007-2014)

<-- J-19 Doll Play Automatic Ticket Gate Station

J-21 Electro Railroad Crossing --> J-21 Large Railroad Crossing -->

In 2007 a new half-straight-long bridge tooling that has integrated girder bridge wings was released in a two-pack with four Bridge Supports as J-20 Girder Bridge (J-20 ガーター橋). In 2012 the pack changed to including the newer brick piers that work with the Block Bridge Girder system.

The bridge was also included in several sets in a few color variations. The bridge sections are hard plastic with slightly over/undersized connectors to connect to the softer rails easier which also gives their joints with one another some play - many of these bridges can be used all lined up to produce a gradual curving viaduct, as some Japanese Plarailers have done at driving meetups.