Update (27 Sep 2024): See my post on Tokaido Shinkansen 60th Anniversary here
Update (27 Sep 2024): See my post regarding recently released Plarail Products here
1 August 2024
Today, Takara Tomy, the company behind the famous brand of toy trains called Plarail, just released information about its new products for September release. Plarail toys are very well known among Japanese kids because they are made from real-life Japanese trains, be it from JR Group, private railways, as well as subways.
As the 60th anniversary of the opening of Tokaido Shinkansen is nearing, Takara Tomy had slated three new products related to the Tokaido Shinkansen for the September release. Personally, I am very pleased with the new variety of products for the September release, especially to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the world's 1st high speed rail line. The following are the products that I would like to recommend for train otakus like myself.
Product 1: 新幹線開業60周年記念 0系新幹線ひかり1号＆超特急ひかり号セット (Shinkansen 0 Series Double Set)
You may have heard that the Tokaido Shinkansen commenced operations on 1st October 1964. At that time, the rolling stock for the Tokaido Shinkansen is the 0 Series, which plies between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka in 4 hours. Currently, as of date of writing, the N700S plies the same route in 2.5 hours.
In this double set, an original 1964 Hikari plarail was re-released, but it was battery operated this time as compared to hand-operated back then where players push the train with their own hands. Unlike the actual 0 Series Hikari, the plarail version has a red nose and bottom instead of white and blue respectively. Also, a "special ticket" was given as part of the set.
Product 2: 新幹線開業60周年記念 新幹線 N700S Wチャイム仕様 (Series N700S with Chime Sound)
In addition to the 0 Series double set, Takara Tomy will also be releasing an N700S Plarail toy that comes with a sound gimmick. Hearing this news made me happy, because it has been ages since the last time a sound gimmick Plarail is released. Back home, for those with sound gimmick, I've got the N700 and N700A Plarail.
To play the music/chime, players need to use the second car (which is made based on the 5th car of the real N700S). From there, they can choose between two soundtracks - 会いにいこう and AMBITIOUS JAPAN!
Product 3: S-08 273系特急やくも (S-08 Series 273 Yakumo Limited Express). The 273 Series is set to replace the JNR-era 381 series for the Yakumo limited express linking Okayama station with the San'in region. See post on the Yakumo
here.
Early this March, Takara Tomy released a Sayonara 381 Series Yakumo to commemorate the retirement of Japan's last JNR-era limited express rolling stock. This month, the new 273 Series will be released.
Product 4: 東京駅丸の内駅舎 (Tokyo Station - Marunouchi Side building)
References:
https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/plarail/new/2409.htm
https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/plarail/65th/#jrkyushu
