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59-548: In 1959, the Plarail system launched in Japan with three hand-powered trains. The first train set released was titled 'Plastic Railroad Set', which featured a plastic steam locomotive and three freight cars to be moved by hand, and a figure 8 of light blue plastic railway track. In October 1961, the range was expanded into a battery-operated electric toy train system where the trains were fitted with miniature motors. The first set featuring this

118-409: A steam engine and an ocean liner were offered. As new models were issued, each was assigned a number up to 110, replacing an existing model. In the early 1980s, Tomy experienced financial difficulties, and in 1983 the domestic model line was reduced to only 80 models (nos. 1 – 80). These models were mainly packaged in picture boxes that had black background with yellow flaps. Later, new models came in

177-416: A "D" for the four sets of driving wheels and the class number 51 for tender locomotives that the numbers 50 through 99 were assigned to under the 1928 locomotive classification rule . Over 173 Class D51 locomotives are preserved in Japan. D51 498 was restored by JR East and pulls special-event trains on JR East lines. The following is a list of preserved locomotives as of July 2023. Built in 1938 at

236-412: A box with a red and white background. Existing models issued before 1984 kept using the older style box with black background until 1988, when all boxes were updated to the new style. Hence, domestic models are commonly referred to as the "black box" or "red and white Box" models. To compete in the global toy car market, Tomy early on, had plans of exporting its models. This was done starting in 1974 with

295-568: A computer simulator software titled Digital Plarail was released for Windows 3.1/95, which allowed virtual layouts to be built and played with using Plarail products. Expansion packs covering different areas were later released. Games on consoles have also been made, such as " Densha Daisuki: Plarail de Ippai ", published by Tomy in 1998 for the original PlayStation , " Kids Station: Plarail Tetsudō Monoshiri Hyakka ", published by Atlus Co. in 2002 also for PlayStation and " Plarail: Yume ga Ippai!" released in 2002 by Tomy for PlayStation 2 . Paramodel

354-536: A police patrol car. This late series targets toddlers and is made of ABS plastic. These first appeared in the 1980s and there were six models at that time. In the year 2002, Tomy again produced pullback models. From time to time, Tomy produces shorter runs of cars with sound or light or both, based on castings from the regular series. The first of such series was the Sound Tomica, introduced in 1992. These cars have both sound and light. Upon pressing one set of wheels,

413-521: A result, regular models of the same castings were also made in China beginning in 1993. Starting in 1994, all the new models in the regular line were made in China, and in May 1995, the production of existing models started to move to China as well. This was done in phases. By July 1997, all regular line Tomica cars were made in China. There were a few exceptions to this rule: While production in Japan ceased in 1997 for

472-580: A series specially designed for the Japanese comic or cartoon "Bakuso Kyodai Let's & Go !!" (爆走兄弟レッツ&ゴー) was initiated. Then came the "Mach Go Go Go" ("マッハGoGoGo", localized as "Speed Racer" in the West) series in 1998. In 2002 a series called Magnum Rescue was launched, and designed very much like today's Tomica Hyper Series. Unfortunately, due to safety issues, the Magnum Rescue Police Cruiser

531-583: A short service life in the Philippines as Manila Railroad ordered the dieselization of its entire network, having all steam locomotives retired by 1956. From 1936 to 1944, Kawasaki, Kisha Seizō and Hitachi had built 32 D51s for Imperial Taiwan Railway. After World War II , they were taken over by Taiwan Railways Administration , and were classified DT650 . In 1951, Kisha Seizō built three DT650s and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries built two DT650s for Taiwan Railways Administration. The classification consists of

590-581: A tinplate version of the C53 -43 locomotive and carriage, as well as a re-release of the 'Plastic Railroad Set' with a battery-powered version of the original locomotive. In 2008, the Hyper Guardian Series was launched. In 2009, the 50th Anniversary of the Plarail system was celebrated. A new version of the original 'Plastic Railroad Set' was released titled the ' C12 Steam Train Arch Bridge and Rail Set', and

649-807: Is a group of Japanese artists that utilize Plarail tracks among other things for their works of art and installations. JNR Class D51 The Class D51 ( D51形 ) is a type of 2-8-2 steam locomotive built by the Japanese Government Railways (JGR), the Japanese National Railways (JNR), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company , Kisha Seizo , Hitachi , Nippon Sharyo , Mitsubishi , and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from 1936 to 1945 and 1950 to 1951. 174 units are in preservation in Japan, including five operational examples. A further 13 are preserved in Russia and Taiwan, bringing

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708-519: The "Japanese Matchbox ", but focuses mainly on Japanese brands. Tomy Co. of Japan was founded in 1924 by Eijira Tomiyama in Tokyo. The company has produced a variety of toys, but in 1970 started production of the Tomica line of diecast vehicles as a result of the surge of interest in the global market in toy cars which was led mainly by Matchbox and Hot Wheels . Although models of various scales have been made,

767-469: The 'studs' slightly smaller. Some SUVs (e.g. Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Pajero) have a 4-spoke chrome with grooves on the outside. Longer buses and semi-trailer trucks were models not suitable for the regular small boxes, so Tomy also started the "Long Tomica" series in 1977. Castings such as trucks, articulated buses or Shinkansen trains were produced as single models until 1993. However, some of these long models still appeared in gift sets after 1993, such as

826-558: The 1970s and 1980s. As with the Limited Vintage series, the focus of the Limited Vintage - Neo series is on adult collectors. These models have a high level of realism, with more attention to details such as wheels, tires, paint, trim and emblems versus functions like opening parts or moving features but still has the suspension of the basic Tomica models. All the models are a consistent scale of 1/64. The Tomica Limited Vintage Neo line focuses mostly on Japanese street cars manufactured in

885-707: The 1990s and 2000s become globally desirable, there has been an increase of 1990s cars released, such as the EF/EG/EK Honda Civic , the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R and the Honda NSX . In the early years, Tomy produced cars with famous characters sitting on them, using the same castings from the regular Tomica line. The first of such was the Snoopy character cars from the 1970s. Tomy did not market and distribute these cars. Rather, they produced these for Aviva, who sold

944-599: The B/O Tomica are made in Japan, while all the Motor Tomica (including the Animated Motor Tomica) are made in China. To fit on the motorized base, these castings often have altered scales. In general, sport utility vehicles appear in their proper scales, saloons appear a bit bulky, and buses and lorries are disproportionately short. In 2005, a new series for motorized Tomica was released containing generic vehicles such as

1003-615: The JAL Airport Vehicles Set. Many of these were specifically for foreign markets, like the Trathen's Skyliner bus which made the Plymouth to London trek in the U.K. Beginning in 2009, Tomy produces newer versions of "Long Tomica", such as the newest Shinkansen trains or large semi trailer trucks, as part of the regular series under model numbers 121 to 140. In 1973, Tomy produced the 1/87 diecast Combat Tomica series. The line started with

1062-531: The JNR Hamamatsu Works, locomotive number D51 200 has been overhauled and restored to operational condition for use as SL Yamaguchi and SL Kitabiwako starting in 2017. Hiro , a character based on the Class D51 and voiced by Togo Igawa , appears in the 2009 animated film Thomas & Friends: Hero of The Rails and thereafter became one of the show’s mainstays and the first character introduced after

1121-523: The Limited S Series, but these models have the "Dandy" name on their base plates removed. Tomy started producing motorized cars in the late 1970s beginning with the Power Tomica series. This series did not last long. In 1992, it released a new series called B/O Tomica (stands for battery -operated Tomica). This series was renamed Motor Tomica in 1997. They were produced and sold as single models until 2003. All

1180-682: The Plarail Chuggington range was released, based on the television series and was retired in late 2016. In 2014, a series with the Disney franchise was introduced as the Disney Dream Railway was also retired in late 2019. In 1987, a range titled Tomy Trains was released in the UK and, excluding Asia, exported worldwide. The range used elements from the Plarail range, including the same track system produced in dark blue. The trains were larger than

1239-503: The Plarail brand was becoming more known and production of track and scenery pieces greatly increased. March 1992 saw the introduction of a product line based on the Thomas & Friends television series was introduced in Plarail. The line features characters , buildings and sets based on the series, and has continued to be a popular sub-series of the Plarail system. This particular range would be spun-off by HiT Toys and later Fisher-Price as

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1298-483: The Plarail range including apparel, stationery, activity books, and candy. Plarail Expos are held yearly around Japan showcasing the range of products available. 1.7 million people have attended events over its first ten years of operating. A yearly exclusive passenger carriage can be obtained for free upon visiting. In 2009, the first Plarail Shop was opened at Tokyo Station, along with the Tomica Shop. Apart from toys,

1357-514: The Plarail trains, and featured magnetic couplings, forward and reverse switches, and driver figures for the cab. In 1998, the Tomy Trains range was discontinued in the UK and replaced with the Plarail system, renamed as Tomica World . The system featured some European based trains, but overall featured existing products from the Plarail system, including the Thomas & Friends series. In 2003, due to

1416-459: The TL series targeted for the collector. These models are made with higher details, and one of their biggest features is realistic-looking wheels with rubberized plastic tires. Although many of them are based on existing or discontinued regular Tomica models, some are new castings made exclusively for the TL line, namely, Nissan Skyline GTB, Toyoda AA, and new MINI Cooper . In the case of the new MINI Cooper,

1475-516: The Technology Tomica cars introduced in 2010 only have lights. What is special is that they do not require batteries. Rolling the cars produces the electricity to power the lights. This line also represents the only made-in-Thailand Tomica in existence to date. Most recently, Tomy has released the Tomica 4D line. These cars have engine sounds and vibrations. Starting from 2004, Tomytec, a branch of Tomy, started producing realistic models - more for

1534-479: The Tomica Premium Series from April 2015. The Premium line replaced Tomica Limited Series, the main differences being that it uses new molds for the vehicles and are not a limited release but rather in regular production that numbered with the same scheme as the classic line (re-using numbers for unrelated models). They were also aimed at a younger audience. Tomica has produced a number of special models over

1593-458: The Tomica product line more global. Partly because Pocket Cars were more expensive than Hot Wheels or Matchboxes in the American market, this blister pack series was not seen much after 1979. Tomica continued successfully, however, in the home market, where each foreign car was packaged in a picture box that showed a flag of the country of origin of that particular car. The boxes often did not show

1652-455: The TrackMaster range in the 21st century, using similar elements but using different manufacturing techniques. In 1997, sharing the anniversary of the first train running in Japan, October 14 was officially designated in Japan as "Plarail Day", where a commemorative limited edition item is released each year. In 1999, the 40th Anniversary of the Plarail system was celebrated with the release of

1711-628: The TrackMaster track to the original blue track, thus making every system compatible. In 2008, Tomy bought the license for the TrackMaster range to be distributed in the UK, and all the Motor Road and Rail engines' packaging were re-skinned to new TrackMaster themed packaging. In 2009, the Thomas license was bought by Mattel's Fisher-Price , and since late 2009, the new TrackMaster system is now distributed by Mattel worldwide, apart from Asia. The adapters have since not been sold with sets. As Takara Tomy's license

1770-546: The appearance of "Tomy Pocket Cars" in Canada and the United States . The marketing ploy was a blister package designed like a denim jeans 'pocket' with yellow 'stitching' around the outside of the card and the vehicle. Since Japanese cars were not yet booming sellers overseas, in 1976 Tomy started producing 'foreign' (non-Japanese) models. Present were American , German , Italian , British , and French cars, among others, making

1829-815: The change to CGI. In the anime Hikarian the character Dozilas is based on the D51 498. The Transformers Decepticon Astrotrain transforms into a Class D51 and a space shuttle. The Gobots aka Machine Robo character Loco(Steam Robo) based on D-51 and has the number D-5147 on the character. Tomica (toy line) Tomica ( トミカ , Tomika ) is a line of die-cast toy vehicles (mainly cars ) produced since 1970 by Takara Tomy Co. of Japan (formerly known as Tomiyama and Tomy Kogyo Incorporated). Ostensibly, Tomica diecast were an outgrowth of Tomica World, an autonomous toy line of motorized train accessories that Tomy had created based on Plarail and produced since 1959. Similar in concept, Tomica can be thought of as

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1888-673: The collector market. They are marketed as the Tomica Limited Vintage Tomytec series and are mostly 1950s and 1960s classic Japanese vehicles such as the Honda S800, Nissan Cedric, Prince Gloria and Toyopet Crown. More details are evident on these compared to the regular Tomica models or even the Tomica Limited models. In 2006 the Tomica Limited Vintage - Neo [TLV-N] line was created and currently includes vehicles from

1947-494: The common Tomicas, the Dandy line also began to offer foreign brand vehicles in 1977 (for example, a Lotus Europa). The numbering system was changed in 1984 based on the nature of the vehicles (e.g. emergency , police , or foreign models). In 2001, Tomy reissued six Tomica Dandy models in limited quantities. Dandys were diecast metal and most also had metal bases. Wheels looked authentic, but were hard black plastic and not rubber, which

2006-464: The edge of the wheel (It is commonly referred to as the 4/5 studded wheel). This design has even been continued with the newer vehicles made in Vietnam. Another common style is a black plastic wheel with a width greater than the standard 4/5 studded wheel with a single chrome ring and no other outstanding detail (This is a reference to racing wheels). Later Tomicas have a slightly redesigned wheel design, with

2065-419: The first official Plarail Shop opened at Tokyo Station. In 2011, three new series were released to offer variety. Plarail Advance is a range of smaller trains that fit on one rail of standard Plarail track, Te-cology Plarail is a range of push along trains that light up without batteries required, and Big Plarail is a range of large trains that include a microphone to record and playback sounds. In Summer 2012,

2124-531: The gauge. According to the a journal published in 1956, ten locomotives were built by Nippon Sharyo for the Manila Railroad Company . These entered service in 1951. Numbered the 300 class, they were named after the cog locomotive class built in the 1910s for the Manila Railway. These locomotives differed from the rest of the D51 builds through the lack of smoke deflectors . The locomotives had

2183-527: The late 1970s and onwards, but movie and TV drama vehicles and special race cars have also been introduced. Examples are cars from 80s police dramas such as Seibu Keisatsu and Abunai Deka or the JGTC Super Silhouette Skyline. Export versions of cars are also included, such as an American Datsun 510 instead of a Japanese Nissan Bluebird . More recently, as formerly late model vehicles progress into classic status and Japanese vehicles from

2242-574: The model M-60 U.S. Army Medium Tank, and later on, models such as the U.S. M-60A-1E-1, the German TIGER-I, the Japanese Type 61 and the Russian SU-85 were produced. There were two types of Combat Tomica but they both contained exactly the same models. The first one was like regular Tomica models; the models came in a paper box, there were some soldier figures for decoration and a set of wheels because

2301-431: The model was first released for the TL series in 2004 but in 2006 included in the regular line as no. 43. Model numbers started at 0001. Each model is produced for a limited period of time, so models with smaller numbers are discontinued while new models with higher numbers continue to appear. These models are packaged in open cardboard boxes surrounded on four sides with a transparent plastic sleeve. Tomica started to offer

2360-527: The name "Tomica" normally refers to the 3-inch sized mainstream vehicles most commonly produced by the company. Originally, the name "Pocket Cars" was given to Tomicas sold in the 1970s in the United States. After four decades, Tomy Corporation again entered the North American and European markets with the Tomica name in 2010. Initially, Tomica only produced Japanese brand cars and trucks. This started with

2419-541: The number of the car, but it could be seen on the base. Since these boxes have the base colors of blue and white, they are also called the "blue-and-white box" models. At any one time, a total of 70 models were produced under the foreign line, numbered F1 to F70. These cars from the 1970s and 1980s hold their value well. As of 2019 they sell for between $ 15 and $ 20 US on eBay and other on-line sales sites. Perhaps because of their greater scarcity as well as realism, these values hold up much better than most Matchbox vehicles from

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2478-466: The one-piece chrome-plated wheels being phased out in 1972 (except that all the models made in Hong Kong had the one-piece wheel design). The two-piece wheels were used until 1977, while newer one-piece wheels of various styles have been adopted since 1976, and are still used today. The most common design is a five-spoke chrome on black plastic form that appears to have five (four before 2007) 'studs' around

2537-497: The popularity of the Thomas series, the range was renamed Thomas Motor Road and Rail and focused only on Thomas & Friends themed products. In 2007, HIT Entertainment 's subsidiary HIT Toy Company picked up the license to produce the USA range, which was renamed to 'Thomas TrackMaster'. The range featured similar engines and rolling stock on a new realistically designed brown track system. Track adapters were sold with sets to connect

2596-455: The regular models, Tomy kept producing special models in Japan until 2003, using old castings not used for mass production of the British line, regular models, or gift sets. Because these older castings had remained in Japan, special releases and promotional issues using these older castings were still made in Japan. New castings for special models were also made in Japan. The Subaru Legacy from 2003

2655-406: The release of six models in 1970. The seventh was issued later in the year. From that time, the Tomica line grew until there was a total of 109 concurrent models by 1978 – number 1 through 108 and also number 110 (109 was proposed, but never released). The variety of models also expanded from the initial coupés and sedans to taxis , buses , trucks, construction and other commercial vehicles. Even

2714-489: The same time period. In 1988, Tomy combined its foreign models into the domestic series. Most of the first 40 models from the foreign series were added to the 80 domestic models. Those foreign models that got transferred were assigned a number that was its F series number plus 80. A handful of these foreign models were discontinued after a few months' appearance under the new line. Overall about half of them had been discontinued after two years. From 2001 to 2013, Tomy produced

2773-500: The sound and light are activated for a short time. The Siren Tomica series from 1996 replaced Sound Tomica. These are basically the same design except the batteries can be taken out and replaced. In 2000, Tomy came out with the Chat Tomica line. These cars do not have light, but depending on the model, upon activation, "[t]hree types of recorded clips will be played (including the sound of sirens, voices and cries of animals).". Conversely,

2832-483: The store also sells products from the Plarail Lifestyle range. Like expos, an exclusive passenger can be bought, as well as many other exclusive trains and sets. Various promotional DVDs are available at Plarail Expos and stores. These include a yearly released DVD featuring new products for the year and advertising reels from all Plarail and Tomica ranges, and DVDs that focus on particular smaller series. In 1995,

2891-442: The total number of preserved units to 187. The design of class D51 was based on the earlier D50 , introduced in 1923. Wartime production featured some substitution of wood for steel parts like running boards, smoke deflectors and tender coal bunkers. A total of 1,115 D51s were built, the largest number in any single class of locomotive in Japan. Early D51s were nicknamed Namekuji-gata (" slug -form") for their shape. The locomotive

2950-658: The toy under the Aviva brand name. In the early 1980s Tomy produced models with Muppet characters. Also in the 1980s, Tomy started producing vehicles with Disney characters under the Putica Disney series name. This popular series was made until the late 1990s and was also re-issued in the original style boxes sometime during the 2000s. Circa 1990s, when Tomy created a cartoon called "Tomica Rescue", it started another series using regular Tomica models and some Matchbox models with some add-ons such as cannons, armors and water hoses. In 1996,

3009-624: The tracks were fixed and did not actually function. The second type was the metal model kits that required manual assembly. These came in larger boxes inside containing the parts for assembly. Production of the Combat Tomicas lasted only a few years, due to high costs. However, Tomy continued producing military vehicles such as rocket launcher trucks, troop trucks, and jeeps, for its regular "3-inch" line-up. Tomica Dandy cars are larger - about 1:43 scale and were produced from 1972 until 1993. At first they were all Japanese domestic models, but similar to

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3068-580: The years. These are unique models that are not found in the regular line or the Limited Series. There are four types of special model: Until 1993, Tomica models were almost exclusively produced by Tomy in their local factory in Tokyo , Japan. However, since the early years, Tomy had outsourced some production to another country with cheaper labor cost. By mid-2003, all production were outsourced and Tomy no longer produced any Tomica in their own factory. Hong Kong

3127-660: Was designed by Hideo Shima . It was used mainly in freight service through the 1960s. Some D51s were fitted with the Giesl ejector in Hokkaido to conserve on fuel. The 30 specially built D51s that were left on Sakhalin (formerly Karafuto ) by the retreating Japanese at the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and after the Soviet-Japanese War (1945) , were used from 1945 until 1979 by Soviet Railways . One

3186-590: Was different from its UK and USA branches, the Plarail Thomas range was not affected by these changes. In 2010, the Plarail system was released again, alongside the Tomica die-cast system, outside of Asia and merged as Tomica . The system featured products from the Hyper Guardian series and the Tomica die-cast range. The range discontinued in 2013. Plarail Lifestyle is a range of themed products with illustrations of

3245-594: Was left outside Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk railway station, and one is in running condition and is kept at the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk railway station. Additionally two wrecks were left to the north of the city. Two locomotives were built for the Korean National Railroad in 1950 by Mitsubishi for South Korea during the Korean War . Designated Mika7 (미카7) class, they were nearly identical to JNR class D51 except for

3304-458: Was normal for 1:43 diecast cars in the 1980s. Some Dandy cars had special features like the Mazda Savanna with "pop-up" headlights operated from a lever inside the car . Packaging colors varied and some were promotional models, but commonly, boxes were blue or red showing a perforated license plate shape with 'Dandy' written on the plate. Tomica Dandy castings have also been used in gift sets and

3363-588: Was the 'Electric Pla-Train Set', which included a three-car configuration of a locomotive and two cars. The three-car configuration has been frequently used since, particularly for later releases based on real life passenger trains. In 1971, after previously releasing generic trains, the first Plarail model to be based on a real life train was released, the D51 Kisha. Since then, there have been hundreds of Plarail trains and rolling stock based on real life Japanese trains. In 1972,

3422-618: Was the first place outside of Japan where Tomica cars were produced. The production in Hong Kong only lasted a few years. Six models issued in 1971 and 1972 were made in Hong Kong: Limited production in China started in 1990 with a few existing models in the regular line, like the no. 35 DOME Toyota Celica and no. 73 Isuzu Dump. Large scale production in China started in 1993 with the "British Line" of 36 models that Tomy Company of UK contracted Tomy of Japan to produce by using existing tooling. As

3481-688: Was the last Tomica ever produced in Japan. Production of Tomicas started to move to Vietnam in early 2009. This was also done in phases and took several years. Unlike the move from Japan to China during which no new regular models were made in Japan (besides the few exceptions), during this time new releases came from both Vietnam and China until 2013. In 2010, when Technology Tomica was introduced, they were initially made in Thailand . In 2012, production moved to Vietnam. The earliest Tomica cars had one-piece chrome-plated wheels. Starting in 1971, models were produced with two-piece wheels of various styles, with

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