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50th Anniversary C12 Steam Locomotive Arch Bridge and Rail Set (2009)

First written August 23rd, 2024


The 50th Anniversary C12 Steam Locomotive Arch Bridge and Rail Set (50周年記念C12蒸気機関車アーチ橋とレールセット) was released on April 23rd, 2009 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Plarail system. The set aims to represent what a "Plastic Train and Rail Set"-style set from the early 1960s with a steam train with freight cars and a bridge would look like if the same basic idea was used for a modern set. As an extra bonus, four straight rails and two Y-type point rails are also included. There was not a version of this set sold without these extra rails (unless you consider the other-Asian-market Thomas-series Thomas Crossing the Bridge Set) but I think the idea is that they are not part of the reimagined Plastic Rail Set portion but rather considered a modern bonus.

The side of the box says, near a photo of a Plastic Train with metal couplings: In 2009, Plarail celebrated its 50th anniversary. For 50 years, Plarail has been carrying everyone's dreams in each era. What has not changed is the basic standards for ensuring safety and quality. At the same time, we are constantly improving and evolving. Plarail, which allows you to always discover new fun and the charm of railways while maintaining safety and security, will continue to connect rails and continue to connect fun and dreams.

Set contents
Quantity
Item
Photo
1 C-12 Steam Locomotive (AA battery type)
1 WAM90000
1 REM5000
2 pieces WAF25000
1 PlaKid conductor
2 R-01 Straight Rail
1 R-01 Straight Rail (brown)
1 R-02 Half Straight Rail  
8 R-03 Curve Rail
1 R-06 Slope Rail
1
R-08 Stop Rail
4 R-18 Slope Curve Rail ("B" type)
3 pieces  R-20 1/4 Straight Rail (one of each type)
2 Girder Bridge
6 J-15 Mini Bridge Pier (tan)
J-23 Country Station (set variant)
3 Bridge Support (tan)
2 Arch Bridge Frame
4 R-01 Straight Rail (Extra rail)
1 pair R-22 Y-Shaped Point Rail (Extra rail)

The train in this set is the classic C-12 steam locomotive, but it has been entirely retooled to use a bottom-loaded AA battery and thus has a much smaller boiler and is more detailed than prior releases of the C12. The box says the C12 is A small, lightweight steam locomotive for local lines.

The three freight cars in this set were all new toolings. They include a WHAM90000 type box car, of which the box says The running gear of the WHAM23000 was modified and used on express trains. The white REM5000 is a refrigerated truck that transports goods such as fresh fish. The WAF25000 is a van with an attached guard's compartment - this is a vehicle with a conductor's compartment attached to it. All of these trucks have stickers on the included sticker sheet, shown below, and have many small details included in the tooling.

The WAF25000 opens up to show the conductor's compartment. The conductor PlaKid is thus a nice fit, although it is a little hard to see him in there when seated and closed.

Only two of these toolings (the REM5000 and WAF25000) were used anywhere else, in a Tomica Hypercity train pack. Its a bit of a pity, because I think these freight cars are pretty neat and match the more modern style of more detailed Plarail engines more than the older more "chibi" style that matches the older Plarail trains.

This set includes a neat bridge made to emulate the old bridge rail with arched side pieces that slot into the bridge supports. A brown straight rail makes up the deck of the bridge, and looks nice with the lighter brown supports. Two green bridge girders are included, and they make up a nice bridge.

The station in this set is a color variation of the country station. The sticker sheet has options for making this station a seaside or country station with different signs.

Because of the combination and configuration of slope curve rails and the stop rail, to get the lever on the outside of the track a combination of 1/4 joint rails are used, and an extra 1/4 straight is included. As part of the modern bonus rails, two R-22 Y-type turnouts are included as well as four more straight rails, which can be used in a variety of ways including making the station have a track on either side.

This set includes a small leaflet showing an alternate layout and a suggested way to use the extra track components. Also included in a warning sheet with parts information and a leaflet for the Tomy fan site with a code that probably expired ten years ago.

The regular layout is a figure-eight with the train travelling over and under the arch bridge.

The alternate suggested layout stretches the loop out further. It gives the feeling of a little steam train travelling through the big country...

The included "extra" rails can be used to turn the station into an island-type, giving the station a second line to store another train. Having the split rail lines around the station resembles real operations and many past Plarail sets. It feels like the quality of the anniversary type sets has decreased since this set.

Set name 50th Anniversary C12 Steam Locomotive Arch Bridge and Rail Set
50周年記念C12蒸気機関車アーチ橋とレールセット
Release period 2009
Train rating Track rating
Accessory rating Overall
Notes: Arguably, accessory rating could all be a little higher Price 5250 yen (tax included)
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