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Shinkansen 60th Anniversary Commemoration 0 Series Shinkansen Hikari 1 & Super Express Hikari Set (2024)

First written February 6, 2025

Released on September 28, 2024 the Plarail Shinkansen 60th Anniversary Commemoration 0 Series Shinkansen Hikari 1 & Super Express Hikari Set (新幹線開業60周年記念 0系新幹線ひかり1号&超特急ひかり号セット) was released to commemorate both the 65th anniversary of Plarail and the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen and the introduction of the 0 series Hikari to service.

The set includes two 0 series Shinkansens, one representing Hikari 1, the first 0 series train to enter service and open the Shinkansen to the public, and the other a modern reproduction of the 1960s red and white Plarail Super Express Hikari.

Both Hikaris use the detailed 2014 0 series tooling that represents the early wide-window trains, which is fitting for both styles of train. Its clear that the window arrangement is a little cramped on the power car...

The intermediate car is nice and long, although the wheels are held on very loosely in slots... they are press-fit to the axles right through the chassis, which I'm sure costs slightly less than the traditional clipped chassis and loose wheels on a capped axle like still used in the tail cars.

Both trains also use the new mechanism chassis and were produced in Thailand.

The blue Hikari is representing Hikari 1, the first train to run on the Shinkansen on October 1, 1964. There is nice detail in the tooling with added graphics and gold around the intermediate car doors. The box says of this 0 Series Shinkansen The 0 series Shinkansen began commercial operation in 1964 when the Tokaido Shinkansen line opened. The early 0-series Shinkansen trains had large, long side windows and round covers on the leading cars were designed to emit a dim light using the light from the headlights. This product is painted to resemble the Hikari 1 train from the time of its opening.

The red and white 0 series is a modern production of the 1960s and early 1970s Plarail Hikaris, and is pictured here with a New Electric Super Express Hikari of the same type shown on the box. The box says of the Super Express Hikari The Super Express Hikari was a plastic model released when the Tokaido Shinkansen Line opened. It was the first model to be based on an actual train and was made with rails. The body color is red unlike the actual train because it was a popular color among children at the time. This product is painted to resemble the Electric Super Express Hikari Set.

The set also includes a commemorative cardboard ticket showing both Hikaris. You can see that it is licensed by JR West and approved by JR Tokai... I have always figured part of the reason why the early Plarail Hikaris were red and white was to separate them slightly from the real train as I don't think Tomy had formal connections like that early on in Plarail's life, but Tomy suggests it was just because "it was a popular color among children at the time".