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Plarail Panel Station System (1987-)

 

The Plarail Panel Station () system is a relatively simple tunnel and building construction system with integrated Plarail track components. The system includes bases, windows, and roof sections and was produced in several different colors over the years.

Panel component types

Year Name Description Photo
1987 Base Single straight rail-long base section with integrated rail
1987 Window panel Window wall section
1987 Roof Square roof section
1987 Sign Usually provided with a sticker, fits into the slots for windows
1990 Stop base Rail base with integrated stopper

Base

The "standard" rail section base (ベース) when the system was introduced in 1987, these bases have an integrated straight rail and slots to install windows. They were first produced in Japan and did not have additional molding features in the bottom.

When production moved to Thailand around 1990 tubes were added into the bottom of the tooling.

In the later 1990s perpendicular slots were added to the underside of the rail base to allow for the base to be attached on top of perpendicular sets of panel station windows.

Window panel

All of the walls in the panel station system use translucent window panels (窓パネル).

Roof

Square roof (屋根) sections can sit alone or side-by-side on top of the larger rail bases and windows. More windows or signs can be stacked on top.

Earlier roof sections had four LEGO-style studs in the center, but this was removed from the tooling by 1990.

Sign

Signs that fit into the same connection as the window panels, usually with stickers, are provided with panel stations in most uses.

Stop Base

In 1990 a new type of stop base (ストップベース) was introduced with an integrated stop rail.

Like the regular rail base, the stop rail base tooling was changed to allow for the base to be attached on top of perpendicular sets of panel station windows in the later 1990s.

Several sets include panel station components, commonly a two-level station with train lines traveling under and over one another.

Several Plarail sets include panel station sets and pieces. Sets in my collection with panel station parts include...

Year Name Description Photo 
1987 2-Speed Shinkansen Three-Dimensional Station Set The first set with panel station components, a two-level station with single roof and two signs
1988 I'm Driving the Super Hikari Set Large radio control Super Hikari set with single level panel station
1997 Akita Shinkansen Opening Commemorative Set Set commemorating the opening of the Akita Shinkansen with "mini" shinkansens and a panel station
1997 Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama Opening Commemorative Set Set with shinkansen and limited express with panel station representing the transfer station between high-speed and conventional lines
1998 Doll Play Mickey Mouse Train & Colorful Rail Set Disney licensed set with colorful rails, Disney dolls, and panel station stop base with unique Mickey Mouse station components

Some Plarail accessories included elements that connect to the panel station standard. Examples in my collection include...

Year Name Description Photo 
1987 J-27 Chatting Station Acoustic talking station with stop rail and panel station section

Panel station elements were only exported a handful of times. Exported panel station components include...

Year Name Description Photo 
1989 Tomy Express Set 03 German export of a Super Hikari set with panel station components
1990 1318 Station Announcer/Talking Station Tomy Train version of the Plarail talking station with acoustic record player soundbox
2002 7413 Amtrak Super Spiral Set Large American set with double-layer panel station

 I believe these are the only three times panel station components were exported.