fall inside a hole

Thomas the Tank Engine Go Out 3D Bag (1999)

First written July 31, 2024

The Thomas the Tank Engine Go Out 3D Bag (きかんしゃトーマス おでかけ立体バック) accessory was released for the Thomas Plarail series of train toys on February 5, 1999. The accessory consists of a fairly large unfolding plastic rocky basin with storage areas, an integrated loop of track, and a plastic surrounding mat.



Set contents
Quantity
Item
Photo
1 Going Out 3D Bag
2 Bridge Rail
1 Rail-road crossing
2 pieces Crossing track adaptors
2 Road ramps
4 J-03 Iron Bridge sides
2 pieces Tunnel
2 Tree (no base)

The main portion of the destination is a large plastic canyon in a plastic-covered foam mat that folds into a protective outer box. The folded up accessory measures approximately 435mm wide by 295mm tall by 145mm deep. The mat snaps together and apart and reveals the plastic mountains inside with compartments around it to store trains and the components of the set itself, measuring about a meter across by 685mm when unfolded.

To connect the two halves of the canyon there are two bridge rail sections that hold the sides to the standard iron bridge. The elevated loop of track has a switch on either side to let it connect to a larger layout.

Two sections of Motor Tomica road weave through the canyon, with a railroad crossing piece and two rail adaptors included to let road and rail run through the valley as well. Two road ramps are included for the open ends.

The tunnel, trees, and other components all hide inside compartments or specific areas of the molding to all fit back away for storage, and two more tunnels with doors can be used to store trains. The tree compartment holds the production sticker on older examples.

All set up, the track around the canyon can be traversed with no additional components. If you want to use the crossing or connect to the turnouts, more track is needed.

This accessory seems to have been overproduced if anything, making it into the massive Go Out 3D Bag Complete Edition in 2001 and being reissued as an individual accessory in 2004. Earlier examples were produced in Thailand while later ones were made in China.

Pokémon Train 2 Diorama Set

Around 2000 a Pokémon Gold & Silver themed version of the accessory with a different design of mat and a train based off of the Hello Kitty character train was released with Pokémon figurines. This version has the two sides of the canyon colorswapped as well as a brown tunnel.

Thomas the Tank Engine Go Out 3D Bag (2004)

In 2004 the Go Out bag was rereleased in updated packaging.