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R-18 Slope Curve Rail

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The slope curve rail (坂曲線レール) was introduced alongside the mini bridge piers in 1987 to allow for a sloping curve that ascended or descended by 1/4 of the standard Plarail pier height. The slope curve rail was first used in the 2-Speed Shinkansen Three-Dimensional Station Set and was released individually some time around 1988 as R-18. A complete R-18 "set" of curve rails includes four "A" slope curves that slope up clockwise with higher concave connectors than convex, four "B" slope curve that slope upwards counterclockwise with higher convex connectors than concave, and 12 mini bridge girders to stack under each half-circle of sloped track. Each half circle raises the track by the standard height of a Plarail bridge pier or girder.

Made in Japan era (1987-1990)

The earliest slope curve rails were produced in Japan between 1987 when they were introduced and 1990 or so when the production moved to Thailand. These rails had no large Tomy logo and are marked A or B with curvy lettering. The rail surface is treaded and the undersides are marked Made in Japan.

There was a previous sloping curve rail used infrequently in the old power era, but these sloping curves were entire 90 degree curve pieces with integrated slope, with a separate curved and flat support for the second "level" curve to make a full 180 degree turnaround that reached the next level up.

Made in Thailand era (1991-)

Around 1990 the R-18 set began being produced in Thailand. I have a copy of a Thailand R-18 with a rather marked-up box. The box shows the new power 100 series Shinkansen and the back of the box shows some example setups including one with the J-20 Rail Road Crossing and an oval of Plaroad. My example appears to be a 1991 sticker-update box, with the original print run underneath being marked for 1990 when the Plaroad system was still being marketed.

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R-19 Automatic Turnout Rail -->

7497 Tomica World Sloping Curve Rail Accessory Kit (1998)

In 1998 the R-18 kit was repacked for the European Tomica World range in the box style shown here featuring the 300X. These boxes were much larger and fairly flat and are somewhat flimsy, especiallywithout the internal stiffening cardboard, which was often oddly-shaped to hold the accessories in shipping and discarded (usually along with the box).without the internal stiffening cardboard, which was often oddly-shaped to hold the accessories in shipping and discarded (usually along with the box).

In 2000 a new squared-off logo box was released. In 2003 it was repacked for the Thomas Motor Road and Rail line as the Sloping Curve Rail Accessory Kit. All these packs contain equivalent for the era R-18 components.