Plarail TOMY Thomas NEW RELEASES

Yes, they look to big, and there is too much space between the trains... But, if you look closely in that video, those couplings are only half out and half in the body of the cabin when the train is moving, so the two trains aren't that much apart as on the official picture. Here are the two trains coupled together in the video:



So it seems you don't have to pull the coupling out all the way. Half of it could stay in, so it's not that clumsy... Of course, I can't say anything more before I have it in my hands... Will that work on sharp curves (U-turn loops and such)? what about the slopes? etc. 

it would be interesting to see how it handles the inner curve on the double track.  I wish they use the same coupling system on the Mcdonald plarail engines.

Plarail Shin-Keisei 80000


New Shin-Keisei train will be released after 4 years (Shin-Keisei Electric Railway N800 was released in March 2017).

It's a limited edition, and you can buy it on July 3rd at the entrance of the Shin-Kamagaya Station, but the official release date is July 5th. Then you can buy it at 7-Eleven Shin Kensei shops, at the Ito-Yokado Tsudanuma Store (in front of the Shin-Tsudanuma Station), and in the gift shop at the Ueno Station.

According to the information provided by platetsu.com, it's a C-battery train (!), and the price is 2,500 JPY.

[Super]

Thanks for the heads up Mr No. Seems like there have been more 'site specific' releases this year than usual and...we still have half a year to go.

There are really many commuter trains (and trams) released in recent years as "limited editions". The previous Shin-Keisei (the one from the 2017) was also limited edition; Hanshin, Keikyu Deto (and many other Keikyu trains), Hello Kitty Puroland Train (and other Keio commuter trains), Odakyu 5000 (with LED lights), Seibu Red Arrows (both Classic and the gray one), all three Seibu 9000 commuter trains, Tokyu 6020 Oimachi (with Q Seats and without them), Tokio Sakura Tram, Okaden Chuggington Tram and many others too.

And here is the new Keikyu train. Commuter trains of this company are almost always released as limited edition trains (the last one was Keikyu Deto 11-12; little yellow maintenance train). This one is no exception.

"Sound Plarail Keikyu New 1000 Series (Aluminum Car)"

The train, commonly known as the "Doremifa Inverter" and "Singing Train," will "finish singing" in the summer of 2021, and various memorable events will be held to commemorate this. The so-called "Doremifa Inverter" is the 2100 series train that appeared in 1998, which is the 100th anniversary of Keihin Electric Express Railway's founding. Because of its characteristic sound, the train has been known as a "singing train". However, since 2008, the melody has gradually stopped playing due to the vehicle update, and the last one is finally "finished singing" this summer.

And, as part of the goodbye event, Plarail playing "Doremifa Inverter" sounds will be released. This product is a Plarail that produces realistic sounds such as train departure sounds, running sounds, and horns that match the running of the vehicle, and the departure sound is the sound of the so-called "Doremifa Inverter". 

Release date: Saturday, July 10th (Keikyu Kamata Station; web-shop Otodoke-Itu). On July 11th & 26th, you can buy it at various Keikyu stores.

Price: 3200 JPY


It will be nice to see (or to hear, to be precise) this sound gimmick. The Do-re-mi-fa-sound can be heard at the departure, when the train starts running. And - as I can hear - it has more than 4 notes (do-re-mi-fa); it's a 9 notes sound, so the correct name for this would be Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do-re Inverter!

You can hear the sound of the real train in THIS video.

[Super]

So this is a re-release but they added sound?

Looking really close at the Middle Coach, it looks to have a set of traction tires so I am curious if the sounds are self generated or battery operated

I suppose the middle car uses 2 AAA batteries to make sounds when running. I wonder about the Do-re-mi-fa-sound, though. Does it make that sound only when turned on, or every time it starts running? We'll see...

* * *

Other new releases (not limited editions):

Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z Dark Shinkalion

Release date: August 7th
Price: 9,350 JPY




Plarail Pitt GO! Deformed Dodeca Shinkansen Nozomi

Station with 80+ sounds. When you touch the ticket/ticket machine, the sounds start playing. When it's set to "auto-play", you get "powerful automatic transformation" and automatic departure by touching the ticket.

3 AAA batteries
Release date: August 5th
Price: 8,580 JPY




Two new container cars

Release date: August 19th
Price: 715 JPY (each)

the Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z Dark Shinkalion reminded me of the hyper guardian line except it comes with different colour.  

As for the cargo cars, nothing to be excited about.  The flatbed on these cars seem to use smaller wheels.  What Tomy should do is to release another loading station for those who missed the initial offering.

[Super]

@Mr No
Thanks for the heads up

@Leyand
Thats exactly what I thought when seeing that picture of the Henkei Shinkalion

The container Flatbeds wheels look like the regular size to me and not the small ones but I could be wrong. I do like the fact that at least one of the releases look to have whole new graphics (2nd pic). Wonder if they have something with The JR line to release containers in their always seen same graphics as I am sure, that because they are so plentiful, that most in Japan have several containers already that look like these.

Wouldn't it be great if they could release once a year a container car with new, limited, graphics maybe paid for by manufacturers of things like Cheerios, Coca Cola, Twizzlers, Candy or the like. I would think that eventually collectors would want to collect them all.