fall inside a hole
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My Plarail collection
Plarail is a Japanese toy train system first released in 1959. The Plarail range includes a wide variety of track and trains, accessories, cars, licensed character toys, and exported sets. The range is very popular as both a childhood toy and an inexpensive model railway substitute. Chronicled here are many of the Plarail sets, accessories, and trains that I own.
| Sets | Trains | Rail | Scenery | Tomica | Catalogues | Thomas series | Exports |
Sets
| Year |
Set name |
Description |
Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 |
Electric Limited Express Hikarigo Set NO.1 |
Includes a first-generation powered 0-series Shinkansen with roof switch, early plastic couplings, a small oval of track, and early examples of some classic accessories |
 |
| early 1970s |
Basic Set D-51/D-51 Express Set | Includes older rim-drive D-51 with metal crank pins and two coaches on a small oval layout |
 |
| 1974 | EF-15 Electric Locomotive Overpass Panorama Set | First set to use the classic "overpass" layout, with early EF15 and freight train |
 |
| 1977 |
Basic No.3 Set |
Includes rim-drive L Limited Express and a medium-sized layout with a passing loop and siding |
 |
| 1979 |
Basic No.2 Set Hikari with
Light |
Rerelease of the 1977 Basic No.2 Set with the new-for-1979 Hikari with Light |
 |
| 1981 | Electric Locomotive Overpass Set | "Overpass" layout with EF15 freight train, station, and level crossing |
 |
| 1982 |
Basic
No.1 Set D-51 |
Includes rim-drive D51 and a small loop of track with old style railroad crossing |
 |
| 1982 |
Tohoku
Joetsu Shinkansen Deluxe Set |
Includes old power 200 series Shinkansen with front light, Plateau Lake scenery, and partially elevated layout |
 |
| 1982 |
Shuppo D-51 Set | Basic No.2 Set-style layout with country station, D51, cattle wagon, and "chuffing" mail car |
 |
| 1986 | Rail Road Level Crossing Set | First Plaroad crossover set with a railroad crossing between a red double decker bus and an L Limited Express |
 |
| 1987 |
2-Speed
Shinkansen Set |
Includes 2-speed 100 series Shinkansen with the classic basic set passing loop layout with station |
 |
| 1987 |
2-Speed Shinkansen Three-Dimensional Station Set | Includes 2-speed 100 series Shinkansen and the first use of the modern slope curve rail as well as the panel station system |
 |
| 1989 |
First Set |
Includes a 0-series Shinkansen and a number of rare pieces like red track-to-surface ramps and yellow iron bridge supports |
 |
| 1990 |
Mickey Poppo Set | Disney set that includes a variant of the Mickey Poppo, modified overpass layout, Disney station, and "it's a small world" ride |
 |
| 1990 |
Hikari
with Light Overpass Set |
Includes 0-series Shinkansen with light and classic "overpass" layout with the new-for-1990 R-19 automatic turnout rail as well as two "bonus" straight track sections |
 |
| 1992 |
D-51
Sound Play Set |
Includes rim-drive D51 with light, tender, and 24 series Blue Train cars, set-exclusive Sound Station, and a partially elevated layout with two iron bridges |
 |
| 1993 |
Overpass
Nozomi set with video |
Includes 300-series Shinkansen and classic overpass layout as well as a VHS video |
 |
| 1993 |
Doll
Play Ticket Play Station Set |
Includes "Doll Play" 300-series Shinkansen, "Plarail Station" with functioning ticketing system, and reversing figure-eight layout |
 |
| 1995 | Nozomi Three-Dimensional Loop Set | First of the figure-eight point rail and sloping curve "loop" sets with standard Nozomi | |
| 1996 | Nozomi 4-Car Loop Set | Updated Nozomi "loop" set with additional "Plarail" 300 series intermediate car | |
| 1997 | Akita Shinkansen Opening Commemorative Set | Set commemorating the opening of the Akita Shinkansen with a connection gimmick between "mini" E2 and E3 shinkansens | |
| 1997 |
Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama Opening Commemorative Set | Includes three-car E2 series Shinkansen and two-car Asama L Limited Express with a two-layer layout with stacked panel stations to represent a transfer station between the Shinkansen and local trains |
 |
| 1997 | Komachi & Tsubasa 3D Loop Set | Hello Mac store limited set with connection gimmick E3 and 400 series mini shinkansens on "loop" layout | |
| 1998 | Doll Play Mickey Mouse Train & Colorful Rail Set | Disney licensed set with colored rails and several doll figurines which can be placed in the train or around the set | |
| 1999 | Let's Play With Parents and Children!! Shinkansen Set | Nice set commemorating the 40th anniversary of Plarail with a special red and white new power 0 series referencing the 1960s and early 1970s red and white Hikaris and a 500 series Shinkansen plus a loop of double rail track with station |
 |
| 2000 |
Let's play on TV! I am a Plarail driver |
Includes a special remote control
922-series Doctor Yellow train with integrated camera that
feeds back to the controller which can be plugged into a
television |
|
| 2000 |
First
Try Set Red |
Includes a nicely detailed and fairly accurate repaint of the old DD51 molding, container car, and small circle of track with switches |
 |
| 2001 | Railway Yard Set Full of Freight Cars | Nice freight yard set with a three-way switch and lots of freight cars for the freight-livery EF-66 included |
 |
| 2001 |
First
Try Set Dark Blue |
Includes an EF66 with the running number EF 66 11 and a Schnabel-type large cargo car with removable machinery and circle of track |
 |
| April 2003 |
Sound C62
Double Set |
Set featuring the first new Plarail C-62 steam locomotives in over 25 years. C 62 2 is powered and C 62 1 has an electronic sound function. The included layout is simple but features a green arch bridge and several Plakid figures | |
| 2007 | Subway Rail Set | A "track pack" with no train but a loop of track with six subway tunnels |
 |
| Sets | Trains | Rail | Scenery | Tomica | Catalogues | Thomas series | Exports |
Trains
| Year |
Name |
Description |
Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | New Electric Super Express Hikari | Early powered 0 series with "second generation" gearbox and roof power switch with early plastic couplings. Molding based on the "prototype" 1000-series Shinkansen design with square windows in the doors |
 |
| 1971 | D51 Express Train | Early D51 with old coupling rods and metal crank pins and 10-series coaches with pantographs from the reused Electric Super Express Hikari intermediate car molding |
 |
| 1973 |
DD51 Diesel Locomotive | Original DD51 release with grey roof and metal rim-drive gearbox and chassis and three short freight cars |
 |
| 1976 | Container car | Individual release of the 1970 green container car. Also included in some three-pack releases and sets |
 |
| 1976 | Refrigerator car | Individual release of the white "refrigerated" recolor of the container car |
 |
| 1976 | Tank car | Individual release grey Shell tanker |
 |
| 1976 | Car container car | Individual release of the 1970s flatbed with car |
 |
| 1976 | Box van | Individual release of the early 1970s brown box car |
 |
| 1976 | Wood car | Individual release of the early 1970s log car with logs |
 |
| 1976 | Guard's van | Individual release of the early 1970s stubby JNR-style brakevan |
 |
| 1976 |
Car
Transporter |
Individual rolling stock release of an orange auto carrier with two small cars |
 |
| 1976 |
L Limited Express | Original mid 70s 583-class L Limited Express with metal gearbox |
 |
| 1978 | EC03 L Limited Express | Late 1970s and 1980s L Limited Express with plastic gearbox |
 |
| 1979 | Livestock car | Individual release cattle van with opening doors that reveal animals inside |
 |
| 1979 | Mail car | Individual release mail van with opening doors that reveal mail and packages inside |
 |
| 1979 | EC09 Hikari with Light | Original version of the 0 series Shinkansen with illuminated nose. Plarail's first train with a light |
 |
| 1979 | EL01 EF-58 | Original individual release of the metal gearbox EF-58 |
 |
| 1979 | EL02 EF66 Round Trip | Fifth generation individual release of the reversing Round-Trip EF66 with single rear pickup bar |
 |
| 1979 | EL05 Blue Train | Old power EF65 locomotive with two 24-series passenger cars |
 |
| 1980 | SL04 D51 with Light | Original fifth generation release of the D51 with Light with green container car and grey Shell tanker |
 |
| 1981 |
EC12 Tohoku Joetsu Shinkansen with Light |
Rim-drive 200-series Shinkansen with illuminated nose |
 |
| 1981 | EC14 Vista Car | Vista Car III 30000 series double decker observation car limited express train |
 |
| 1982 | Mickey Poppo Red | American style steam locomotive based loosely on the Disneyland Railroad |
 |
| 1984 | Remote Control Hikari-Go | Remote-control old power 0 series Hikari. Takes two C batteries plus a 9 volt for the remote and the only control is "ON" or "OFF" |
 |
| 1984 | EL06 Family Travel Salon Car | ||
| 1985 | EC22 New Shinkansen with Light | Old power 100 series Shinkansen with headlights |
 |
| 1987 |
DD-51 | Old power plastic gearbox DD51 diesel locomotive sold in a 6th generation box into the mid 90s |
 |
| 1987 | Round-Trip EF-66 | Sixth generation individual release of the single-bar Round Trip EF66 |
 |
| 1987 | C-12 | Old power C12 steam locomotive released individually in sixth generation packaging. First produced in Japan and later Thailand |
 |
| 1987 | Hikari with Light | New power 0-series Shinkansen with illuminated nose |
 |
| 1987 |
Tohoku Joetsu Shinkansen with Light | New power 200-series Shinkansen with illuminated nose |
 |
| 1987 |
2-Speed Shinkansen | Two-speed new power 100-series Shinkansen |
 |
| 1987 | Blue Train | New power EF65 with two 24 series passenger cars |
 |
| 1987 |
D-51 Locomotive with Light | Late Japan and early Thailand era rim-drive D51 with light, Shell tanker car, and auto carrier with cars |
 |
| 1987 |
Shuppo D-51 | Late Japan and early Thailand release of the 1982 Shuppo D51 with tender and chuffing mail car |
 |
| 1989 |
Play
Wagon Set |
Engineless three-pack with a well wagon with pipes, auto carrier with car, and flatbed with containers |
 |
| 1990 | Super Hikari | Reimagined Hikari for the 1990s based on the 300 series mockup shown around this time |
 |
| 1992 | 2-Speed Tsubasa | 400 series Shinkansen with two-speed new power gearbox |
 |
| 1992 | 2-Speed Nozomi | Two-speed 300 series Shinkansen, originally in sixth generation packaging |
 |
| 1993 | Kamome Express | Red and black 485-series "Seagull Express" train |
 |
| 1993 |
Doll
Play Nozomi |
300 series Shinkansen with cab and tail car seats for the two included "Doll Play" series dolls |
 |
| 1993 |
Doll
Play Commuter Train |
209 series commuter train in orange with cab and tail car seats for the two included "Doll Play" series dolls |
 |
| 1993 |
Doll
Play D51 Steam Locomotive |
D51 steam locomotive with tender and passenger car with cutout seats for the two included "Doll Play" series dolls |
 |
| 1993 |
Intermediate Car Set A |
Three-pack of intermediate cars for the 300 and 100 series Shinkansens and the intermediate 24 series "blue train" coach |
 |
| 1994 | Subway Train | Last regular rerelease of the 1970s subway train tooling in seventh generation packaging |
 |
| 1994 | 2-Speed Nozomi | Two-speed 300 series Shinkansen in seventh generation packaging |
 |
| 1994 | All 2-Story Shinkansen Max | E1 class Shinkansen, the first all double-decker |
 |
| 1994 |
D51 Locomotive with
Light |
New power D51 with light, Shell tanker car, and auto carrier with cars in a seventh generation box |
 |
| 1995 |
C-12 Steam Locomotive | New power C12 individual release in seventh generation packaging |
 |
| 1995 | JR Kyushu Sonic 883 | Original silver and blue-livery 883 series Sonic train |
 |
| 1995 | Golden Tsubasa | A golden 400 series Shinkansen given away as a prize in the "Collect, Collect Campaign" |
 |
| 1996 | Doctor Yellow | 922-series Doctor Yellow line-inspection train based on the new power Hikari with Light |
 |
| 1996 | E2 Hokuriku Shinkansen | Initial release of the E2 Shinkansen | |
| Late 1996 | 500 Series Shinkansen | Regular three-car 500 series Shinkansen release |
 |
| 1997 | E3 Akita Shinkansen Komachi | E3 series Shinkansen | |
| October 14 1997 | Chin Chin Tram | Plarail Day limited edition reimagining of the late 1960s Plarail tram |
 |
| December 1998 | E2 Shinkansen Asama | Renamed E2 Shinkansen | |
| December 1998 | 700 Series Shinkansen | Nicely detailed 700 series Shinkansen |
 |
| February 1999 | Tinplate Plarail | Tinplate streamlined C53 steam locomotive released to celebrate Plarail's 40th anniversary and Tomy's history with tin toys |
 |
| July 1999 | 40th Anniversary Plarail Limited Edition | A limited edition modernized reissue of the 1960s Plastic Train and Electric Plastic Train with rolling stock |
 |
| 1999 | Car Train | Silver EF81 locomotive hauling a "car train" with Tomica car |
 |
| 1999 | Shuppo | Yellow American-style steam locomotive with two red coaches from the TV show Adventure Asphalt Island |
 |
| 2000 | Enoden | Chin Chin Tram recolored to represent 300 series Enoden tram. Enoshima Electric Railway limited product |
 |
| 2001 | EH500 Kintaro | Two-unit EH500 3 electric locomotive with flatbed and tank loads |
 |
| 2001 | EF210 Momotaro | EF210 102 electric locomotive with Schnabel-type large cargo car |
 |
| 2001 | EF15 Electric Locomotive | Brown EF15 electric locomotive based off the older EF15 molding with two flatbeds with shipping containers |
 |
| October 14 2002 | Bonnet Express Shiratori | 2002 Plarail Day limited edition | |
| 2003 | K-02 DD51 type 1150 | Updated DD51 with realistic livery and real running number |
 |
| 2003 | K-03 EF66 type 11 | Updated EF66 with JR blue livery and EF 66 11 running number |
 |
| January 2005 | Plarail 45th Anniversary Set | Anniversary set with a recolor of the 1999 reissue Electric Plastic Train with neat Tomy themed containers as well as reprints of the initial unpainted red and green Electric Trains |
 |
| 2007 | S-01 700 Series Shinkansen with Light | Updated 700 series Shinkansen with working headlight |
 |
| 2009 | 0 Series Shinkansen | 2009 Plarail Expo limited release 0 series Shinkansen |
 |
| 2019 | Plarail 60th Anniversary Plastic Steam Train | Reprint version of the Plastic Train with unpowered locomotive similar to the original (and a powered box car, unlike the original) |
 |
Accessories
| Sets | Trains | Rail | Scenery | Tomica | Catalogues | Thomas series | Exports |
Rail
| Year |
Name |
Description |
Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 |
R-01 Straight Rail | Sold as a
four pack of standard full length straight track |
 |
| 1974 |
R-02 Half Straight Rail | Six pack of half-length straight tracks |
 |
| 1959 | R-03 Curve Rail | Four pack (half circle) of curved rails |
 |
| ~1970 | R-04 Large Curve Rail | Four pack of large radius curves corresponding to the "Y rail" switch outer radius |
 |
| 1968 | R-04 Double Track Straight Rail | Two pack of double rail parallel straight tracks with overhead catenaries |
 |
| 1968 | R-05 Double Track Curved Rail | Four pack of double rail curves with overhead catenaries |
 |
| 1975/1984 | R-06 Slope Rail | Two pack of the "modern" unsupported sloped rails first used in sets. Includes two Block Bridge Girders since 1998 |
 |
| 1968 | R-07 Bridge Rail | Two older sloping rails with arched supports and two Bridge Girders |
 |
| R-07 2x Straight Rail | Four double-length straight rails | ||
| 1975 | R-08 Stop Rail | Two stop rails and two buffer pieces | |
| R-09 Reciprocating Return Rail | Two switchable reversing tracks for "Oufuku" or Round-Trip Plarail | ||
| early 1960s | R-10 Joint Rail | Twelve shorter double concave or convex "joint" rails that measure approximately 1/6 of a normal straight rail sold until the 1/4 straight joint rails were released in 1997 |
 |
| 1974 | R-11 Turnout Rail | One right and one left turnout rail with the footprint of a normal curve rail on top of a straight rail |
 |
| 1974 | R-12 Figure Eight Point Rail | One right and one left "figure eight" turnout rail |
 |
| 1974 | R-13 Single/Double Point Rail | One right and one left parallel single to double track point rails |
 |
| 1978 | R-14 Crossing Point Rail | Crossover track with switches built in | |
| 1968 | R-15 Double Track Point Rail | Originally a double track crossover switch and an overhead catenary, since 1978 it includes the crossover switch and the "automatic" double track point rail which causes a train to swap tracks when approaching from one side but head straight across from the other |
 |
| 1978 | R-16 Automatic Point Rail | Three-way automatic switch with the footprint of a right turnout and single/double track turnout with a half straight rail preceding it. Also includes a signal and a half straight rail. | |
| R-17 New "Point Machine" | Three-way switch with large lever to select between tracks. Footprint of two single/double track point rails flipped to opposite sides. Originally with all inboard connectors but later changed to have a convex single track side. | ||
| 1988 | R-18 Slope Curve Rail | Set of four each "A" and "B" sloped curve rails and 12 mini bridge girders |
 |
| 1990 |
R-19 Automatic Turnout Rail | Two-way turnout switch that can
automatically switch trains between alternating paths. Individual
release includes a half straight and opposite regular turnout |
 |
| 1997 |
R-20 1/4 Straight Rail | Three
pieces each of 1/4 straight long regular, double convex, and double
concave track to replace the old R-10 Joint Rail |
 |
| 1950s | Tansen Point Rail | Odd style of parallel turnout inherited from Tot Railroad | |
| 1950s | Yoke | Odd style of curvy turnout switch adapted from Tot Railroad | |
| 1964 | Y type rail | Old style of "automatic" turnout that always sends incoming trains to the left. Individual release includes two "turnouts" and two old-style joint rails |
 |
| 1969 | Automatic Station Double Rail Track | Adaptor rail used with original transfer stations to adapt to the double rail standard |
 |
| 1975 | 90 Degree Curve Rail | Older curve rail that is the length of two standard curve rails together creating a 90 degree curve. Used in a handful of mid 70s sets, the individual release included two curves and two orange "rail retainers" |
 |
| 1977 | Double Rail Parts Set | An "expansion pack" to add an outer passing loop to the numbered Basic sets (or just about any other Plarail set) |
 |
| 1990 | E-01 Remote Control Controller | Controller for the early 1990s remote control switch system |
 |
| 1990 | E-02 Remote Control Point Rail (A) | Left-handed "A" switch for the early 90s remote control system |
 |
| 1990 | E-03 Remote Control Point Rail (B) | Remote control right-handed "B" switch for the 1990s remote control switch system |
 |
| Sets | Trains | Rail | Scenery | Tomica | Catalogues | Thomas series | Exports |
Scenery
| Year |
Name |
Description |
Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| late 1960s |
J-01 Tunnel | Classic
curved tunnel that can be placed on curved or straight rails |
 |
| 1982 | J-02 Block Tunnel | Tunnel made up of an entrance, two middle, and exit section that can be expanded by connecting additional middle segments. End pieces often used in sets |
 |
| 2007 | J-02 Stretching Tunnel | A telescoping tunnel that can be stretched out to cover more track |
 |
| 1964 | J-03 Iron Bridge | Classic single-straight iron bridge |
 |
| 1981 | J-04 Big Iron Bridge (大鉄橋) | Updated design of two-straight-long iron bridge used into the 90s until the well-known 1997 version |
 |
| 1997 | J-04 Big Iron Bridge | Well-known large red bridge that is two straight rails long that can be used as a single or dual track bridge | |
| J-05 Drawbridge Rail | Classic red spring-loaded drawbridge | ||
| 1999 | J-06 Double Track Tunnel | Nice double-track curved tunnel with single track on top |
 |
| 1975/1983 | J-07 Car Wash | Train wash first released in a Round Trip Plarail set and later individually |
 |
| 1979 |
J-12 Pedestrian Overpass | ||
| 1979 |
J-13 Bridge Girders |
Older style of bridge support
is not made to
be stacked. Evolution of early Plarail rail supports. |
 |
| 1984 |
J-14
Block Bridge Girders |
Bridge girders that can stack on top of one
another to create large and tall bridges and stacked
elevated sections |
 |
| 1998 |
J-14 "New" Block Bridge Girder |
Updated Block Bridge Girders with a new
rounded off molding to allow trains to pass by girders
more tightly without hitting them |
|
| 1968 | J-15 Double Track Bridge Girder | Bridge piers for the new-for-1968 double track standard |
 |
| 1987/2001 | J-15 Mini Bridge Pier | "Mini" stacking block girder used in sets since the 1980s |
 |
| 1987 |
J-17 New Railroad Crossing | Iconic red Plarail crossing with LEGO-compatible crossing signs |
 |
| 1978 | J-18 Railroad Crossing with Sound | ||
| 1994 | J-19 Doll Play Automatic Ticket Gate Station | Individual release of the Doll Play station from the Doll Play Ticket Play Station Set. | |
| 1985 | J-20 Rail Road Crossing | Automatic/Manual crossing for Plarail and 1980s Plaroad |
 |
| 1981 | J-21 Electro Railroad Crossing | Electronic railroad crossing that plays ringing sound and flashes alternating lights when train passes |
 |
| J-21 Large Railroad Crossing | |||
| 1985 |
J-22 Elevated Station | Updated
platform-style station that can be
stacked on top of three Block Buildings to create an
elevated station. Despite being included in many sets, it
was never actually sold elevated |
 |
| 1972 | J-23 Country Station | Classic countryside station with small open station building, water closet, and tablet exchange system |
 |
| 1987 | J-27 Chatting Station | Panel station-compatible talking station with six phrases and integrated stop track |
 |
| 1988 |
J-29
Horn Rail |
Rail that plays an electronic "horn" when
an engine runs over it. Includes the sides of an Iron
Bridge and can be used elevated or not. |
 |
| mid 1960s | Station | Early platform station that evolved to be more elaborate over time |
 |
| 1968 | Double Track Iron Bridge | Iron Bridge-style bridge for the double track standard |
 |
| 1968 | Merry-Go-Round | Carousel from the Child Guidance Kiddie Land set adapted for Plarail |
 |
| 1968 | Ferris Wheel | Child Guidance Ferris wheel adapted for Plarail |
 |
| 1968 | Teacups | Spinning teacups ride adapted from Child Guidance Kiddie Land |
 |
| 1972 | Bridge Girder (はしげた) | 1970s bridge girder first produced in yellow and then orange for most of the 1970s |
 |
| 1973 | Big Iron Bridge (だいてっきょう) | Original design of a large red iron bridge that spans two straight rails |
 |
| 1978 | Station Platform | Late 1970s update on the mid 1960s Station with central kiosk and added sticker detailing |
 |
| Sets | Trains | Rail | Scenery | Tomica | Catalogues | Thomas series | Exports |
Catalogs
| Sets | Trains | Rail | Scenery | Tomica | Catalogues | Thomas series | Exports |