Plarail (プラレール) is a Japanese battery-operated system made by Takara Tomy released in Asia. It was first produced in 1959. In 1992, Thomas and Friends trains and accessories were made. Takara Tomy still has the Thomas license for Asia after losing it for the Motor Road and Rail range in the US in 2007 and the UK in 2009. The 20th, 25th, and 30th anniversaries of the Plarail Thomas range have been celebrated in 2012, 2017, and 2022 respectively.
Engines[]
1992-2002[]
From 1992-2002, the engines were sold in basic colored packaging with the original Thomas logo and a television series picture of the character. There was no numbering system.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Thomas | 105978 | With Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Henry | 106043 | With gray log car and van |
 |
James | 106128 | With brown cattle car and black caboose |
 |
Percy | 106159 | With fuel tanker and mail coach |
 |
Gordon | 106234 | With green express coach |
 |
Edward | 106319 | With gray Troublesome Truck and Troublesome Van |
 |
Duck | 106364 | With S.C. Ruffey and Toad |
 |
Diesel | 106425 | With milk tanker and Sodor fuel tanker |
 |
Toby | 106432 | With Henrietta and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Boco | 106531 | With tar tanker and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Donald | 106586 | With two gray Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Oliver | 106593 | With two red branch line coaches |
 |
Thomas | 552680 | With Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Splatter and Dodge | 532491 | With works unit coach |
 |
Stepney | 556886 | With gray Troublesome Truck and gray brake van |
 |
Mavis | 559726 | With breakdown crane |
 |
Ben | 559733 | With two gray China clay Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Diesel 10 | 576747 | With two gold Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Lady | 576785 | With two purple Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Powerful Gordon | 590547 | With red express coach |
2003-2012[]
From 2003-2012, the engines were given a box with a picture of that character in the television series, a basic blue and yellow color, and the Plarail Thomas logo on the right. When later engines were made, the packaging changed accordingly with the updated HiT Entertainment logo and the newly designed Thomas logo. Engines T-01 to T-06 got a new design and some had updated cars. Some engines also replaced other existing ones. They are numbered under "T".
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Boco | 106351 | T-12 | With tar tanker and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Duck | 106364 | T-08 | With S.C. Ruffey and Toad |
 |
Diesel | 106425 | T-11 | With milk tanker and Sodor fuel tanker |
 |
Toby | 106432 | T-07 | With Henrietta and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Donald | 106586 | T-09 | With two gray Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Oliver | 106593 | T-10 | With two red branch line coaches |
 |
Emily | 309666 | T-36 | With brakevan |
 |
Stanley | 357476 | T-34 | With blue Troublesome Truck and gray log car |
 |
Hiro | 384861 | T-14 | With brown and silver barrels slate truck |
 |
Dash | 418313 | T-26 | With green and gray log trucks |
 |
Percy and Rocky | 426448 | T-28 | |
 |
Splatter and Dodge | 532491 | T-20 | With works unit coach |
 |
Stepney | 556886 | T-14 | With gray Troublesome Truck and brake van |
 |
Mavis | 559726 | T-15 | With breakdown crane |
 |
Ben | 559733 | T-13 | With two gray China clay Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Diesel 10 | 576747 | T-18 | With two gold Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Lady | 576785 | T-19 | With two purple Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Harvey | 641377 | T-16 | With motorized works unit coach and gray engine parts flatbed |
 |
Salty | 641384 | T-17 | With two black Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Thomas | 648796 | T-01 | With Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Henry | 648802 | T-03 | With gray log car and van |
 |
Gordon | 648819 | T-04 | With green express coach |
 |
James | 648826 | T-05 | With gray Troublesome Truck and tar tanker |
 |
Percy | 648833 | T-06 | With fuel tanker and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Edward | 649137 | T-02 | With two gray Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Spencer | 689614 | T-21 | With one of his coaches |
 |
Murdoch | 711971 | T-22 | With gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Arthur | 712312 | T-23 | With two fish Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Thomas and the Jet Engine | 735991 | T-24 | |
 |
Skarloey | 741602 | T-25 | With two blue narrow gauge coaches |
 |
Rusty | 741619 | T-26 | With two red narrow gauge coaches |
 |
Dennis | 746270 | T-27 | With two gray roof tile trucks |
 |
Neville | 746287 | T-28 | With red van |
 |
Molly | 746294 | T-29 | With green truck |
 |
Mighty Mac | 746300 | T-30 | With two green narrow gauge coaches |
 |
Rosie | 764021 | T-31 | With two gray balloon trucks |
 |
Duncan | 764038 | T-32 | With two brown slate trucks |
 |
Sir Handel | 764045 | T-33 | With two red coaches |
 |
Busy Bee James | 764069 | T-34 | With green flatbed |
 |
Fearless Freddie | 785897 | T-35 | With two green narrow gauge coaches |
2012-present[]
From 2012, the engines were in a blue and yellow packaging with Thomas in the corner and a CG illustration of the character from the televison series. In 2018 the engines' packaging was given minor updates. They are numbered under "TS".
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Streamlined Thomas | 110149 | TS-20 | With blue streamlined Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Shooting Star (Gordon) | 110156 | TS-21 | With blue streamlined express coach |
 |
Rosie | 120773 | TS-12 | With two red Troublesome Trucks |
 |
Rebecca | 129066 | TS-08 | With blue tanker |
 |
Lorenzo and Beppe | 142188 | N/A | |
 |
Gina | 142195 | N/A | With red and gray trucks |
 |
Nia | 153184 | TS-22 | With yellow van and green truck |
 |
Kenji | 193524 | TS-12 | With two silver passenger cars |
 |
Thomas and Color Matching Freight Cars | 226550 | TS-24 | |
 |
James and the Bee Race | 226567 | TS-14 | |
 |
Belle | 454311 | TS-08 | With red and blue water tankers |
|
Thomas | 459118 | TS-01 | With Annie and Clarabel |
|
Edward | 459125 | TS-02 | With two gray Troublesome Trucks |
|
Henry | 459132 | TS-03 | With log car and van |
|
Gordon | 459149 | TS-04 | With green express coach |
|
James | 459156 | TS-05 | With gray Troublesome Truck and tar tanker |
|
Percy | 459163 | TS-06 | With fuel tanker and gray Troublesome Truck |
|
Hiro | 459170 | TS-07 | With brown and silver barrels slate truck |
|
Diesel 10 | 459187 | TS-09 | With two gold Troublesome Trucks |
|
Spencer | 460152 | TS-10 | With one of his coaches |
|
Rosie | 462668 | TS-12 | With two gray balloon trucks |
|
Emily | 462675 | TS-13 | With brakevan |
|
Stanley | 462682 | TS-14 | With blue Troublesome Truck and gray log car |
 |
Victor | 462699 | TS-18 | With gray truck and green engine parts flatbed |
|
Dash | 462705 | TS-16 | With green and gray log trucks |
|
Percy and Rocky | 462712 | TS-17 | |
|
Mavis | 462729 | TS-15 | With breakdown crane |
|
Toby | 464433 | TS-11 | With Henrietta and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Flynn | 485247 | TS-19 | With water tank and trailer |
 |
Luke | 487166 | TS-20 | With red barrel truck and yellow log car |
 |
Yong Bao | 618942 | TS-18 | With red slate truck |
 |
Stephen | 805267 | TS-15 | With red log car with crown |
 |
Connor | 805274 | TS-16 | With one of his coaches |
 |
Harvey | 807988 | TS-14 | With motorized works unit coach and flatbed |
 |
James | 812548 | TS-05 | With green brake van |
 |
Gator and Marion | 826095 | TS-18 | |
 |
Gordon | 831969 | TS-04 | With green express coach |
 |
Ryan and Skiff | 853459 | TS-14 | With yellow truck |
|
Streamlined Thomas | 876892 | With blue streamlined Annie and Clarabel | |
|
Shooting Star (Gordon) | 876908 | With blue streamlined express coach | |
 |
Hurricane and Frankie | 968153 | TS-22 | With red and yellow slag car |
 |
Caitlin | 976875 | TS-24 | With one of her coaches |
 |
Thomas | 977773 | TS-01 | With Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Percy | 977780 | TS-06 | With fuel tanker and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Ashima | 977797 | TS-23 | With orange tanker and green brake van |
 |
Henry | 977803 | TS-03 | With red Flying Kipper truck |
 |
Edward | 977810 | TS-02 | With yellow troublesome van |
GOGO Engines[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
GOGO Thomas Cave Explorer Thomas | 908357 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Percy | 908364 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Kana | 908371 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Diesel | 908388 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Nia | 908395 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Bruno | 947950 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Whiff | 947967 | |
 |
GOGO Thomas Thomas | 947974 |
Talking Engines[]
The first range of Talking Engines feature six green rails which enables them to talk.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Talking Diesel 10 | 536062 | With Splatter and Dodge |
 |
Talking Toby | 538820 | With Henrietta and gray Troublesome Truck |
 |
Talking James | 576792 | With brown cattle car and black caboose |
 |
Talking Percy | 576952 | With mail coach and fuel tanker |
 |
Talking Henry | 576808 | With gray log car and gray van |
 |
Talking Gordon | With green express coach | |
 |
Talking Thomas | With Annie and Clarabel |
The More Talkative Engines first came out in 2004 and were discontinued in 2010.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
More Talkative Percy | 689782 | TT-01 | With works unit coach and fuel tanker |
 |
More Talkative Gordon | 706953 | TT-02 | With green express coach |
 |
More Talkative James | 706960 | TT-03 | With red express coach |
 |
More Talkative Edward | 712909 | TT-04 | With mail coach |
 |
More Talkative Henry | 719450 | TT-05 | With blue-gray express coach |
In 2013, new Talking Engines were released with updated designs.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Talking Thomas | 495574 | OT-01 | With Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Talking Percy | 495591 | OT-02 | With mail coach and brown slate truck |
 |
Talking James | 495598 | OT-03 | With blue express coach |
 |
Talking Hiro | 495604 | OT-04 | With red truck |
 |
Talking Gordon | 815907 | OT-05 | With maroon express coach |
In 2018, new Talking Engines were released with updated designs and an added "English Quiz" mode.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Talking Thomas English Plus | 617662 | OT-01 | With Annie and Clarabel |
 |
Talking Percy English Plus | 617679 | OT-02 | With mail coach and brown slate truck |
 |
Talking James English Plus | 617686 | OT-03 | With blue truck |
 |
Talking Hiro English Plus | 619420 | OT-04 | With green truck |
 |
Talking Gordon English Plus | 619437 | OT-05 | With maroon truck |
Road Vehicles[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bertie | 106272 | |
 |
Bulgy | 106548 | Red version |
 |
Lorry 1 | 571353 |
From 2004-2008, the road vehicles were released with a numbering system.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bertie | 687443 | TC-01 | |
 |
Bulgy | 687450 | TC-03 | Green version |
|
Lorry 1 | 687467 | TC-02 | |
 |
Elizabeth | 714668 | TC-04 |
Individual Cars[]
An assortment of cars were released from 2006 to 2009.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Number: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Green Freight Car | 736103 | TF-01 | |
 |
Blue Freight Car | 736110 | TF-02 | |
 |
Brown Freight Car | 736127 | TF-03 | |
 |
Red Passenger Car | 736134 | TF-04 | |
 |
Raspberry Tank | 736141 | TF-05 |
Another assortment of cars and road vehicles were released in 2021.
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bertie | 180739 | |
 |
Harold | 180746 | |
 |
Rattling Dynamite Freight Car | 180753 | |
 |
Dinosaur Bone Carrier Freight Car | 180760 | |
 |
Winston and Sir Topham Hatt | 188575 | |
 |
Cow Carrier Freight Car | 188582 |
Packs[]
Promotional items[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troublesome Trucks |
Contest prizes[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Gold Thomas | Plarail "Thomas Fair" lottery prize | |
 |
Thomas the Tank Engine Baby Star Original Shy Face Version | Oyatsu Company sweepstakes prize | |
 |
Silver Shiny Thomas | Prize obtainable with Let's Go Round and Round! Thomas and Merlin Coal Hopper Set |
Gifts with purchase[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
S.C. Ruffey | Toys "R" Us exclusive | |
 |
Hamburger Freight Car | ||
 |
Clear Clarabel | Free gift with Play Engine! Big Thomas | |
 |
Wrapping Freight Car | Free gift with Move with Your Voice! My Friend Thomas Set | |
 |
Clear Annie | Toys "R" Us exclusive | |
 |
Anniversary Freight Car Vol.1 | ||
 |
Anniversary Freight Car Vol.2 | ||
 |
Anniversary Freight Car Vol.3 | ||
 |
Kevin | Free gift with Choo-choo Steam! Thomas Set |
Event exclusives[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Clear Blue Annie | 2017 Plarail Expo exclusive | |
 |
Clear Red Bertie | 2018 Plarail Expo exclusive | |
 |
Clear Blue Clarabel | 2019 Plarail Expo exclusive | |
 |
Colorful Freight Car | 2021 Plarail Expo exclusive |
Destinations[]
Sets[]
The first set boxes often displayed a large illustration of the set with the title and information on the yellow side. The boxes later changed in 2003 with new logos and the side in blue, as well as the central picture being mainly of the set. In 2008, the boxes changed to a lighter blue and a different logo. In 2011, the boxes changed again with a CG picture of Thomas in the corner and the set's title written in a themed font.
Other Asian market Sets[]
These sets were released in other parts of Asia. The information was written in English and the boxes are a light blue and yellow scheme.
Ringing Engines[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Ringing Racing Thomas in Tekoro | 129073 | |
 |
Ringing Thomas in Tekoro | 826118 | |
 |
Ringing Percy in Tekoro | 826125 | |
 |
Ringing James in Tekoro | 826132 | |
 |
Ringing Paint Thomas in Tekoro | 853435 | |
 |
Ringing Chocolate Percy in Tekoro | 853442 | |
 |
Ringing Gordon in Tekoro | 858621 | |
 |
Ringing Ashima in Tekoro | 876847 | |
 |
Ringing Streamlined Thomas in Tekoro | 884804 | |
 |
Ringing Philip in Tekoro | 884811 | |
 |
Ringing Harold in Tekoro | 895152 | |
 |
Ringing Metal Thomas in Tekoro | 977018 | |
 |
Ringing Lexi in Tekoro | 977025 | |
 |
Ringing Theo in Tekoro | 977032 | |
 |
Advanced Film Bonus Ringing Thomas in Tekoro | Promotional item with Journey Beyond Sodor tickets | |
 |
Thomas the Tank Engine Movie Ticket Card in Tekoro | Promotional item with Digs and Discoveries tickets |
Kyorokyo Engines[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kyorokyo Thomas in Tekoro | 618959 | |
 |
Kyorokyo James in Tekoro | 618966 | |
 |
Kyorokyo Percy in Tekoro | 618973 |
Yujin[]
| Image: | Name: | SKU: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Thomas Candy Dispenser | ||
 |
Percy Candy Dispenser | ||
 |
Funny GO Rail Set Thomas | ||
 |
Funny GO Rail Set Percy |
Media[]
The Plarail Thomas range has been featured in various forms of media, predominantly books.
| Image: | Name: | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
Digital Plarail Thomas the Tank Engine Vehicle and Scenery Set | |
 |
Plarail Thomas Card |
Books[]
| Image: | Name: | ISBN: | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Plarail Thomas Encyclopedia | 4591054985 978-4591054987 |
|
 |
Plarail Thomas Collection | 4591116883 978-4-591-11688-3 |
|
 |
Plarail Thomas Storybook: Be careful on Doki Doki Mountain! | 978-4-591-14109-0 | |
 |
Plarail Thomas 25th Anniversary Book | 978-4-056-11188-0 | |
 |
Plarail Thomas Sodor Shoot! The Great Race | 978-4-591-15598-1 | |
 |
Thomas the Tank Engine Movie Book | 978-4-056-11330-3 | |
 |
Plarail Thomas Peel Off! Diorama Sticker Book | 978-4-052-05103-6 | |
 |
Plarail Thomas Let's play with our friends around the world! | 978-4-056-11531-4 | |
 |
Plarail Thomas 30th Anniversary Book | 978-4-056-11660-1 | |
 |
Plarail Thomas Kikansha Daishugo | 978-4-591-17800-3 |
Trivia[]
- Real life trains featuring Thomas and Friends branding have also been produced in the main Plarail range. These include the Oigwawa Railway Thomas, Oigwawa Railway James, Keihan Train 10000 Series Thomas the Tank Engine, Keihan Train 3000 Series Thomas the Tank Engine No. 2013, Keihan Train 10000 series Thomas the Tank Engine issue 2013, Keihan Train 10000 series Percy issue 2013, Keihan Train 10000 series Thomas the Tank Engine issue 2017, and Fujikyu 6000 Series Thomas Land.
- In July 2011, the Plarail range was used to break a Guinness World Record. The track, set up at Fuji-Q Highland theme park's Thomas Land Japan, measured 2,221.514 metres, beating the previous record set in 2010 in Queensland, Australia of 207 metres, which used TrackMaster track.[1]
- Early releases of the updated 2003 engines featured painted faces as opposed to separately molded faces. [2] [3][4]
Gallery[]
Plarail 1987-present logo
Plarail Thomas 2002-2010 logo
Plarail Thomas 2010-2012 logo
Plarail Thomas 2012-present logo
Plarail GOGO Thomas logo
Plarail Thomas 2012 20th Anniversary logo
Plarail Thomas 20th Anniversary promotional DVD
Plarail Thomas 2017 25th Anniversary logo
Plarail Thomas 2022 30th Anniversary logo
2014 Plarail Thomas layout from promotional DVD
Plarail 2013 Talking Engines advertisment
Plarail Thomas 2014 phone background
Plarail Thomas 2014 iPhone background
Plarail Thomas 2014 Android background
Thomas display at Plarail Expo 2018
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ "Thomas & Friends breaks Guinness World Record". toysnplaythings.co.uk. July 29, 2011.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Gl7DT6n9eEA?t=225
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/145680502315
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDx0suzKwU8
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/364927737850
- ↑ https://www.fallinsideahole.com/collections/plarail/tomica%20world/thomas/7408%20adventure%20set/2001%20thomas%20open.jpg