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Talking Thomas Talking Harold and Station Set (2000)
First written July 8, 2024
The giant Talking Thomas-series Talking Harold and Station Set (おしゃべりトーマスおしゃべりハロルドと駅セット) is the larger of the two Japanese Talk 'n' Action Thomas sets in the Thomas Plarail series and was released on July 20th, 2000. The set includes an even larger layout than the earlier 2000 Talking Thomas Set with a large outer layout with inner loops and double-track sections and a talking version of the Harold Station.
This set's box was the first in the Plarail Thomas range to use the new squared-off Tomy logo put into use in 2000.
Set contents| Quantity |
Item |
Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 2 pieces | Talking Thomas (Japanese Talk 'n' Action Thomas) |
 |
| 7 | R-01 Straight Rail |
 |
| 6 | R-02 Half Straight Rail |
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| 10 | R-03 Curve Rail |
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| 4 | R-05 Double Track Curved Rail |
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| 4 | R-09 Double Track Outer Curve Rail |
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| 1 pair | R-11 Turnout Rail |
|
| 2 pairs | R-13 Single/Double Point Rail |
 |
| 6 types | Talking trigger rails |
 |
| 5 pieces | Talking Harold Station |
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| 4 pieces | Tunnel |
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| 5 | Trees |
 |
The Thomas in this set is, of course, the talking "Talk 'n' Action" or Talking Thomas (おしゃべりトーマス) with attached Annie battery compartment. Thomas and Annie are permanently connected by a somewhat-fragile coupling system, with Annie holding three AA batteries and housing a separate power switch from the usual gearbox power switch on Thomas' cab. Thomas holds the speaker, gearbox, control board, and switch to read the track patterns.
The Harold Flying Station variant in this set has a very neat changing track pattern that can be used to make an engine speed up or to stop and wait at the station before departing. When the engine hits the trackside trigger Harold will start to fly and when the train leaves the station it triggers one of the red switches in the rail bed and causes Harold to say something in response. The combination of changing bump pattern, trackside switch, and exit detection switches let Harold start flying and "respond" at the right time when the train has said something as it leaves. The Harold is the regular "flying" style and uses the same metal rod as the non-talking station.
The station takes three AA batteries. The track section can be changed between being a "2" and "4" track section.
Track in this set is early 2000s rail from mostly late 1990s toolings, with some rail like the double track outer curve rail only being introduced a few years prior. The "10" in the dial signifies 2000 (these dials were first used in the 1990s, and thus indexed from there) with the second dial implying June production like other elements of the set.
Also included, of course, are the six talking half straight rails. The six in my copy of this set were unused (sticker sheet also pictured), so I borrowed the already-stickered set from my copy of the Talking Thomas Set.
The set layout is massive, with several loops of track and area to run multiple talking trains and plenty of space for engines to carry out their actions before encountering another activation track. A standard Thomas-series tunnel and five trees fill out the layout. Click the GIFs above to view the video version with sound.
| Set name | Talking Thomas Talking Harold and
Station Set おしゃべりトーマスおしゃべりトーマスおしゃべりハロルドと駅セット |
Release period | 2000-2001, Japan |
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| Notes: | Price | 6800 yen (2000) |