fall inside a hole

Plarail Hiro (2010)

First written August 8, 2024

Hiro is a Japanese steam engine based on the D-51 steam locomotive that first appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine special Hero of the Rails. Hiro was first released in Plarail form in 2010.

Hiro (set exclusive period) (2010)

Hiro was first released in the Departing From the Station! Hiro and Thomas the Tank Engine Set in April 2010. Hiro is based on the regular updated 2000s Plarail D51 tooling.

Hiro's battery compartment is reached by unscrewing a screw located at the back underside of his cab. Hiro uses a C battery inside his boiler and has a separately-attached tender.

T-14 Plarail Hiro (2011)

On February 17, 2011 Hiro was released in a traditional three-pack in Japan as T-14 プラレールヒロ with a brown slate car and barrel loads.

Hiro, being a D-51, is pretty popular in Japan and remained in the Thomas range with a few variants released over the years.

The slate car and particularly barrels are neat, I like when the regular individual Plarail Thomas releases include cargo.

TS-07 Plarail Hiro (2012)

In 2012 Hiro was released again in the lighter blue CGI packaging under the new numbering scheme as TS-07 Plarail Hiro. Individual Hiros still include the slate wagon and barrels.

TS-07 Plarail Hiro (2018)

In 2018 Hiro was rereleased again in the darker blue style of packaging as TS-07 Plarail Hiro again.