I agree that the carrier displayed at the Toy Show in Suzukawas video looks to be painted Diecast just by looking at the texture. Because of that I am more convinced that it is the prototype for the production model in plastic. Looking at the pegs that either show metal under the paint or primer, I would have to say that any rough handling of this toy especially tossing it into a toy box or storage container the paint will easily chip off.
Has Plarail made any other item for trains in metal? Looking at Suzukawa move the carrier it looks like it doesn't roll very good. I would also think that due to its size it would be to heavy and very much top-heavy. My mind is telling me that if made in plastic and with weights inside the articulating trucks would put the weight down over the wheels and make it roll much better. The Plarail Schnabel cars use this method and I don't have any Cargo Liner Carriers to be for sure but they may have weights in the articulated trucks too. My mind just keeps saying to me that these won't release as Diecast...its hard for me grasp the reasons why. I am anxious for the release of further photos of what the real release will show us. Neat discussion though.
@OffTheRails
Are you talking about using 1/87th scale HO vehicles? If so, they are smaller than the Tomica/Hotwheel/Matchbox scale I would imagine they would fit. Looking at this picture, depending on the size of Tomica Diecast Cars, the Carrier should hold Matchbox/Hotwheel cars...at least the compact cars.
Has Plarail made any other item for trains in metal? Looking at Suzukawa move the carrier it looks like it doesn't roll very good. I would also think that due to its size it would be to heavy and very much top-heavy. My mind is telling me that if made in plastic and with weights inside the articulating trucks would put the weight down over the wheels and make it roll much better. The Plarail Schnabel cars use this method and I don't have any Cargo Liner Carriers to be for sure but they may have weights in the articulated trucks too. My mind just keeps saying to me that these won't release as Diecast...its hard for me grasp the reasons why. I am anxious for the release of further photos of what the real release will show us. Neat discussion though.
@OffTheRails
Are you talking about using 1/87th scale HO vehicles? If so, they are smaller than the Tomica/Hotwheel/Matchbox scale I would imagine they would fit. Looking at this picture, depending on the size of Tomica Diecast Cars, the Carrier should hold Matchbox/Hotwheel cars...at least the compact cars.