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Thomas and Terence Loading and Unloading Set (2002)
First written August 13, 2024One of the most impressive train sets Tomy produced for the Plarail Thomas range (if not the Plarail range in general), this large action-packed set has operating load loading and unloading stations with a motorized Terence the tractor to help Thomas cycle logs around a timber yard. This set was sold in most of the major export markets, with Australia, Europe, and the United States all getting their own box variations.
Thomas & Terence Loading and Unloading Set (2002)
The Thomas & Terence Loading and Unloading Set (トーマス&テレンスのつみおろしセット) was first released in Japan on June 27, 2002 for the Thomas Plarail series of train toys. The set features a fully automatic log loading and unloading operation with a moving crane and partially elevated layout.
The example shown here is a fairly early copy dating to October of 2002. This set continued to be produced into the mid 2000s, with export versions closely resembling the Plarail original, and it was rereleased in Japan in 2008.
Set contents| Quantity |
Item |
Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 3 pieces | Thomas (production variation) with troublesome truck (set variation) and log tipper wagon |
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| 2 | Drum loads |
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| 3 | Log loads |
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| 8 | Logs |
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| 4 | R-01 Straight Rail |
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| 2 | R-02 Half Straight Rail |
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| 4 | R-03 Curve Rail |
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| 2 pairs | Sloping Curve Rail (two of each "A" and "B" type) |
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| 1 | 1/2 Straight Road |
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| 1 | Curve Road |
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| 2 | Sloped Road |
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| 1 | Elevated Curved Road |
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| 4 | Rail Bridge Supports (grey) |
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| 6 pieces | Log loading station |
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| 6 pieces | Log unloading station |
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The Thomas in this set (and its export versions) is actually a production variant exclusively used in this set - the Thomas chassis was updated for 2002 with the new Tomy logo and updated licensing information, and this set was the second time Thomas was sold with a white running board with additional black details (previously, the Thomas and Busy Freight Cars Set had a more detailed Thomas with annoyed facial expression) but it predates the 2003 redesign of Thomas with printed graphics on the side so these Thomas' have the updated chassis and new separate facial sculpt but the older stickered style of body.
The set also includes a cool variant of the troublesome truck with a happy face and large "M" and other added text and details on the side as well as a log dumping car which has some added details to make it look more like a truck than the style used for the Sodor Quarry Loader.
The set includes both grey drums and log pallets for the traditional truck and individual logs for the tipper truck that work with the automatic loading and unloading feature. The truck loads can also be placed in different places around the set.
Terence is exclusive to this set and has a articulated scoop that loads and unloads the logs. He takes one AA battery and is compatible with Motor Tomica.
The rail in this set is early 2000s rail with the squared-off Tomy logo on most of it. The road sections in this set are new toolings and entirely treaded in the road surface. These road pieces are made of a harder plastic and with age many, many of these road sections have begun to break, especially around the mating road connectors.
This set has a wide range of accessory pieces that fit into the two large orange bases. One base is raised on the road side and is where Terence loads a log into Thomas. This base has two shed archways, a fence and light post, and Harold.
When Terence approaches the log loader with a log, a gate holds him in place where his wheels spin Harold's propeller. When Thomas arrives from either direction, he catches against the activation tabs at either end of the section of track, pushing the nearby lever sticking out of the base which lets Terence onto the turntable to deliver a log into Thomas' tipper wagon. When Terence is fully on the turntable he begins to rotate it around, releasing Thomas and eventually springing back into its starting position when Terence has cleared the table.
The unloading base is raised on the rail side and has a large red trough for Thomas to dump logs in as he passes where Terence will then pick one up. An angled chute can hold additional logs, and as Terence turns the turntable the crane swings back and forth. Accessories for this base include the moving crane, green arch, street light, and two more fences. The stickers on these pieces seem to have been applied by the user so they can be found in slightly different positions and orientations.
At the log unloader, Thomas can pass by at speed and dump a log at any point from either direction, and the log car does not have to be first behind the engine to dump. When Terence arrives, he enters the turntable and hits the button to flip a log down into his scoop. He then runs the turntable around, making the crane's arm swing and then swing back when the turntable is released and it returns to its original position.
The set layout is a nice large oval with Terence's muddy path connecting the two large orange bases inside the loop. Thomas and Terence can automatically cycle logs back and forth over and over, with Terence running Harold's propeller and the crane as he passes. Other trains can be used, and other trucks can be coupled behind the tipper truck at the front of the train as long as when the train's powered wheels line up with the stopper the log tipper is lined up properly with Terence's loading section. The different truck loads can be staged at different points around the loading bays. This is certainly one of the coolest all-in-one train sets that any company has produced...
22303 Thomas and Terence Adventure Set (2002)
In 2002 the Thomas and Terence Loading and Unloading Set was exported to Australia as part of Australia's late Tomica World range. This release was based even more directly on the original Japanese release with a blue box very similar in layout to the Japanese style. The Australian box for this set can be seen here.
4765 Thomas at the Timber Yard (Motorized Road & Rail) (2003)
In 2003 the set was released in the United States as the 4765 Thomas at the Timber Yard Set as part of the Motorized Road & Rail System. This release features all the same aspects of the original Japanese release including the more decorated style of Thomas with sticker details, "M" troublesome truck, and nice compliment of accessories.
Copies of this set dating to as early as March 2003 were imported by both Tomy themselves and by International Playthings. The International Playthings variation shown here included a promotion for a free expansion set.
I also have a (worse condition) Tomy-distributed box. The only difference is the lack of International Playthings and expansion set stickers, and both are March 2003 production-stamped boxes. Both have the added white choking hazard warning sticker on the front - presumably for the logs, which are hollow likely to allow air to still flow through if they were accidentally swallowed.
This set was the only way to buy the more detailed style of Thomas in the United States, even if it is the sticker-sided version. These export sets have added warning stickers in the battery compartments.
4765 Thomas and Terence Deluxe Action Set (Motor Road & Rail) (2003)
In 2003 the Thomas and Terence set was also exported to Europe as part of the Motor Road & Rail System as 4765 Thomas and Terence Deluxe Action Set. Unlike the American set which used a similar size and format of box to the Japanese release, the European release has a wider, flatter box.
Again, other than the box the contents of these sets are the same as the Japanese original, although by the time of this example in 2006 the yellowing plastic mix of the early 2000s had been replaced.
Thomas and Terence Loading and Unloading Set (rerelease) (2008)
In 2008 the Thomas and Terence set was rereleased in new light-blue packaging in Japan. This rerelease is much less common than the 2002 original. I am not 100% sure if the Thomas included continued to be the sticker-sided variant of the white running board Thomas or if it was changed to the "standard" 2000s style.
| Set name | Thomas and Terence Loading and
Unloading Set Thomas & Terence Adventure Set Thomas at the Timber Yard Thomas & Terence Deluxe Action Set |
Release period | 2002-2008, Japan 2002, Australia 2003-2007 US, Europe |
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| Notes: | Price | 5980 yen (2003) |