Plarail TOMY Thomas NEW RELEASES

now on Tomica website

[Super]

Well thats weird...in Mr No's picture above with the set in a Layout it clearly shows 3 sets of dark brown barrels standing on end in the Truck but in Chrisjo's picture with what looks like the back of the box it shows and states that the set comes with only 2 sets of dark brown barrels standing right side up in the Truck...strange why they would do that.

Not only the mountain is not a mountain anymore but a set of 4 panels (is that a dinosaur in front of the volcano in one of the stickers?) and the traffic is possible in one direction only because the steep yellow rail must be used, but it seems to me that the brown ascent rail is made so that the train swings on it while climbing the "mountain", and Thomas also has stickers that the customer must apply. I'll pass.

Here is the illustration of McDonald's Happy Set Plarail toys (is "Happy Set" anoter name for "Happy Meal" in Japan?) from Takara Tomy website:





It's a shame they never release it with some trains that have single units that are "complete", like railcars of Hiei Railway, Meitetsu, some trams etc. They always use only the first car of some popular Shinkansen or a commuter train (Hayabusa, Yamanote, Dr. Yellow), and if you connect them all together with that front coupler and run them using your own motorized unit in front of such a train, they would look a bit silly, wouldn't they? Or they could release different cars of the same train (so you could compose the whole train) in one Happy Set Plarail series... Why always just the front car of a multiple unit train? [Nitpicking End.]

Anyway, I really like the "accessories". Some elements could be really useful on a layout. The timetable display with the clock looks really nice (I wouldn't mind having it on the platform of my Central Station). Some McDonald's themed stuff are looking good too.   What do you say, Super? Wouldn't some of them look cool near your customized J-25 Overpass McDonald's Station?

[Super]

Oh yes, for sure. I do like the Golden Arches. I wonder if its in 3 pieces where the middle section can be removed and the 2 sides of the Arches glued together???

Yup, the arches are looking great! It's a Happy Meal toy, so I suppose they come in parts; they frequently do come in pieces, so kids (of all ages) could connect them, don't they?

But even if they don't, you could still easily customize them... and they would make a really nice 3D sign on the roof of your restaurant!

[Super]

And now back to the new Dokidoki Mountain Thomas Set. I was looking at the pictures on the stickers, trying to answer my own question:
 

(is that a dinosaur in front of the volcano in one of the stickers?)

So I was magnifying the pictures, and I found the pictures of Percy, James, Hiro, Gordon, Harold and (bear in mind it's a "Thomas & Friends" Set!) ...

... a treasure chest! Is that a treasure chest?



Yup, it's a treasure chest; what else could that be? Never mind.

Then, there is Bambi.
Is that Bambi?
I bet that's Bambi:



I'm still not sure about the volcano, but that's definitely a dinosaur!



What is that Tyrannosaurus Rex doing in a "Thomas & Friends" Set?

"Oh, look, kids love treasure chests, Bambi and dinosaurs, so we may well just put them on those stickers!" 

My only question is: Why? It's a Thomas & Friends set, for crying out loud! Why the dinosaurs and treasure chests? 

"Kids would like them." 

No further questions. 

[Super]

Yes, that is strange Mr No

Still know one has any ideas as to what the round table with the gray track is from in this picture...or maybe its just a hint of something to come? Looks to have 13 points.

That question is still unanswered. I've never seen anything like that before, Super. Those sheds come with the orange track like in Chris' picture, not with anything grey. It must be something new (as you said), or just a special event customization (not likely).