(02-13-2023, 07:50 PM)Donald9Douglas10Oliver11mp Wrote: I was wondering if there was any evidence of the first versions of these set featuring these coaches
I've had a good look around and I don't believe so. You can search for トーマスとにぎやか貨車セット and see for yourself. It was released 17th May 2001.
A full list of sources for the darker red version of the coach would be interesting. (And don't get sidetracked by the ones with yellow stripes!)