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Departing From the Station! Hiro and Thomas the Tank Engine Set (2010)
First written August 8, 2024
The Departing From the Station! Hiro and Thomas the Tank Engine Set (駅からしゅっぱつ! ヒロときかんしゃトーマスセット) is a Thomas-series Plarail set released on April 9, 2010 featuring Thomas and the new character Hiro as well as an oval layout with passing section and siding with garage.
Set contents
| Quantity |
Item |
Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas (face variation) and Hiro | |
| 3 | R-01 Straight Rail |
 |
| 3 | R-02 Half Straight Rail | |
| 8 | R-03 Curve Rail |
 |
| 1 | R-08 Stop Rail |
 |
| 1 | R-11 Turnout Rail (R type) |
 |
| 1 pair | R-13 Single/Double Point Rail |
 |
| 2 pieces | Maithwaite Station (set variant) |
 |
| 1 | Garage (grey) |
 |
| 2 | Trees |
 |
| 1 | Buffers (orange) |
 |
This set includes Thomas and Hiro, a new character in the then-latest Thomas the Tank Engine special Hero of the Rails. Hiro is a Japanese steam engine based on the D51. The regular three-pack Plarail Hiro was not released until nearly a year later in February 2011. The Thomas in this set is a slight set variant with eyes looking to his left so that he can look over at Hiro. Unfortunately, the face on my Thomas is yellowed.
Both trains in my copy of this set are marked as being produced in March 2010.
Exclusive to this set in Japan is Maithwaite Station, although this is actually a less-detailed variant than the version used in export sets. Also included is a Plarail garage in grey and an orange buffer stop for the siding.
Rail in this set is standard late 2000s production rail that is all made in Thailand and marked with the squared-off Tomy logo. The single/double point rails and single regular turnout give some piece variety over basic oval sets. The trees in this set are light green with green bases.
The set is fairly small and the accessory selection is perhaps a little basic, with the focus really being on the new character. Unlike the PlaKids Town Emily Set where Emily was not sold regularly in Japan until four years later, Hiro became a regular part of the range a little less than a year later...
| Set name | Departing From the Station! Hiro and
Thomas the Tank Engine Set 駅からしゅっぱつ! ヒロときかんしゃトーマスセット |
Release period | 2010, Japan |
| Train rating |
 
| Track rating |
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| Accessory rating |
| Overall |
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| Notes: |