Tomica Hypercity (UK) Illustrated Product List

Before we get to the actual products, a note on release dates:
 
On 19th June 2010 you could have read on tomy.co.uk that “Tomica is nearly here!”, that “The range includes vehicles, trains, accessories, destinations and playsets priced from £2.99 to £69.99 and will be available to buy from the end of June”, and that “If you can't wait that long, you can download the Tomica Range leaflet now which shows many of the products in the range.”
 
The official launch took place on 21st July, at St Pancras Station in London, as I've described in a another post.
 
The next time the website was archived, on 23rd July 2010, everything shown in the leaflet was available to buy. Based on these facts, these items have all been given a nominal release date of July 2010.
 
A second leaflet, with a pdf creation date of 21st April 2011, contains all other known Tomica Hypercity UK items except the Toys’R’Us exclusives. Unless there is direct evidence of an earlier date, all items not in the first leaflet have been given a nominal release date of May 2011.
 
The dates given for the Toys’R’Us exclusives are based on their first appearance in the Toys’R’Us website archive.
 
The following description accompanied each of the exclusive items on toysrus.co.uk:
Discover a place where road a rail connect together and watch as high tech trains speed around the track, or travel around the city by car visiting all that the town has to offer. Tomica brings together a network of trains and cars, and allows the freedom to build your own Tomica Town. The possibilities are endless.
 
All the other text in italics below is copied directly from tomy.co.uk.

It is curious that neither the promotional leaflets nor the packaging or instruction leaflet for any individual item tell you what it is called, they are only ever referred to by number. The names given here are (with one exception) taken from the archived Tomy UK website and/or the archived Toys'R'Us website.
 

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The World of Tomica is here!
 
Discover a place where road and rail connect together and watch as hi-tech trains speed around the track, or travel around the city streets by car. If the streets get too busy, simply build a railway network towering above the city, reaching as high as your imagination will take you. Tomica is a world of imagination that needs to be visited.
 
The possibilities are endless and so is the fun! Whether you’re crazy for cars or totally mad for trains, the World of Tomica has something for you.
 
Tomica HyperCity
HyperCity is based on a city with real life destinations that kids see everyday such as petrol stations, train stations and car parks.
 
Tomica HyperCity Rescue
Tomica has its very own emergency services, HyperCity Rescue, who are always on hand to keep the streets safe. The possibilities are endless and so is the fun! Whether you’re crazy for cars or totally mad for trains, Tomica has something for you.

VEHICLES
Add to your collections with our full range of Tomica Vehicles.
 
85100 HyperCity Rescue Fire Liner
July 2010
Motorised Tomica HyperCity Rescue 2-speed fire train with Tomica fireman. Complete with 3 ladders and interchangeable cockpit. Compatible with all Tomica rail. Great addition to the Tomica HyperCity Rescue Fire Station set.
 
This is the Plarail Hyper Guardian HGS-03 Fire-Liner [ハイパーガーディアン HGS-03 ファイヤーライナー], Dec-08, but with HCR stickers.

     

 
85101 HyperCity Rescue Fire Vehicles 4 pack
July 2010
You can be the first on scene for any Emergency with this Set of 4 HyperCity Rescue Fire vehicles including Fire Engine with extendable ladder, Fire Helicopter with spinning rotor, Fire Trooper with articulated arm and Fire Hovercraft.
 
This is the Tomica Hyper Rescue Mobile Vehicle Set [トミカ ハイパーレスキュー 機動車セット], Sep-07, but with HCR stickers. The vehicles in the set are based on the Tomica HR03 Mobile Rescue Helicopter, #93 Mitsui Zosen Hovercraft MV-PP5, HR06 Mobile Unmanned Hosing Vehicle, and HR04 Mobile Ladder Vehicle.

  

85102 HyperCity Rescue Patrol Liner
July 2010
Motorised HyperCity Rescue 2-speed Patrol Train complete with Tomica Policeman and Police Buggy which attaches to the front of the train!
 
This is the Plarail Hyper Guardian HGS-01 Pat-Liner [ハイパーガーディアン HGS-01 パトライナー], Dec-08, but with HCR stickers.

    

 
85103 HyperCity Rescue Police Vehicles 4 pack
July 2010
Patrol your World of Tomica with this set of 4 HyperCity Rescue Police Vehicles including Helicopter, 3-wheeled Motorbike, Crab Runner and Police Truck.
 
This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police Mobile Vehicle Set [ハイパーブルーポリス機動車セット], Dec-07, but with HCR stickers. The vehicles in the set are based on the Tomica HBP04 Blue Falcon, HBP05 Blue Gazelle, HBP06 Blue Buffalo, and #63 Maeda Seisakusho Mini Crawler Crane.

  

 
85104 Honda Vehicles 4 pack
July 2010
Four Honda cars to drive around Tomica World. Great as additional cars to add to the Honda Garage, Car Park, Petrol Station and Repair Garage.
 
This is a unique set of four Tomica cars:

• Tomica #54, white Honda Civic Type R, Nov-07.
  
• Tomica #112, ‘vivid blue pearl’ Honda Airwave, Dec-05.
  
• The ‘blackish pearl’ with grey interior Honda Odyssey from the Tomica Honda Cars gift set, Nov-09.
  
• And the ‘Milano red’ Honda Insight also from the Tomica Honda Cars gift set.
  

  

85105 City Train CT1000
July 2010
Come on board the City Train CT1000 and on a journey around the new exciting Tomica World of Road, Tracks and Destinations. Train includes engine, which can be set to 2 speeds, and 2 carriages! Compatible with Tomica Rail.
 
This is the Plarail S-06 400 srs Shinkansen Tsubasa [400系新幹線つばさ], Jul-02, but with grey wheels instead of yellow, so it’s unique in being the only grey wheeled 400srs Tsubasa that does not have a retractable magnetic coupling in the tail-car.

 

85106 City Train CT2000
July 2010
Come on board the City Train CT2000 and on a journey around the new exciting Tomica World of Road, Tracks and Destinations. Train includes engine, which can be set to 2 speeds, and 2 carriages! Compatible with Tomica Rail.
 
This is the Plarail S-09 E3 srs Akita Shinkansen Komachi [E3系秋田新幹線こまち], Jul-02.

 

 
85107 City Train CT1100
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010
 
This is the Plarail S-62 E926 (E3 srs) East-i [ライト付イーストアイ], Feb-07, but with no light, although the clear plastic lens is still fitted to the front of the chassis.

    

 
85108 Metro Train MT1100
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010
 
This is the Plarail S-15 E259 srs Narita Express [成田エクスプレス], Nov-09.

     

85109 City Train CT2100
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010
Come on board the City Train CT2100 and on a journey around the new exciting Tomica World full of Roads, Tracks and Destinations. Train includes engine which can be set to two speeds, and 3 carriages!
 
This is the Plarail S-10 E4 srs Shinkansen Max [E4系新幹線Max], Jul-02.

    

 
85110 HCR Police Truck Container
May 2011
Patrol the roads with the Tomica HyperCity Rescue Police Car Carrier. With 2 containers you can transport your police vehicles to any emergency. Also included one HCR Policeman
 
This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police Container Carrier Car [ハイパーレスキュー コンテナキャリアカー], Oct-07, but with HCR stickers.

    

 
85111 HCR Police Hovercraft Container
May 2011
Patrol the seas with the Tomica HyperCity Rescue Police Container Hovercraft. With the container you can transport your police vehicles to any emergency or use the winch to pull along your boat.
If you need to get to an emergency even quicker then launch the Jet Ski from the front of the Hovercraft and you are guaranteed to be the first on scene.
 
This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police Container Police Hover [ハイパーブルーポリス コンテナポリスホバー], Oct-09, but with HCR stickers.

   

 
85112 HCR Helicopter Container
May 2011
Patrol the skies with the Tomica HyperCity Rescue Police Container Heli. Pull the trigger and watch as the propellers rotate. With 2 containers you can transport your police vehicles to any emergency. Also included one HCR Policeman.
 
This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police Container Police Helicopter [ハイパーブルーポリス コンテナポリスヘリ], Mar-09, but with HCR stickers.

   

 
85113 HyperCity Rescue Vehicles
January 2011
Tomica HCR Rescue Vehicles are guaranteed to be the first on scene to deal with any emergency. They run on the Tomica track!
 
This set combines three Plarail Hyper Guardian vehicles, all released Mar-09:

• Hyper Guardian HGV-01 Blue-Chaser [ハイパーガーディアン HGV-01 ブルーチェイサー].
  
• Hyper Guardian HGV-02 Yellow-Mover [ハイパーガーディアン HGV-02 イエロームーバー].
  
• Hyper Guardian HGV-03 Red-Searcher [ハイパーガーディアン HGV-03 レッドサーチ].
  

  

85115 Extra Long Train
May 2011
With one engine and 6 carriages this is the longest train in the Tomica collection – little boy’s just love big trains! Watch it zoom round and round your World of Tomica.
 
This seems to have acquired the name 'Long Cargo Train', but there is no official basis for this. Despite the woefully ungrammatical description the released version has one engine and only 5 ‘carriages’.

• EF6019, blue
  
• container flat-bed, black, with red and yellow ‘Tomica’ containers
  
• TaKi 5450 tanker, red and yellow ‘01’
  
• ReMu 5000 refrigerated boxcar, lurid green ‘Express’
  
• WaFu 25000 boxcar/brake van, red ‘HC’, with removable shell and a seat for a Pla-kid inside.
  
• ‘Tomica-equipped freight car’, i.e. car transporter flat-bed, black & silver.
  

 The EF60 comes from the Plarail Let’s Play With Tomica! Loading & Unloading Station Set [トミカと遊ぼう！つみおろしステーションセット], Apr-10. The ReMu 5000 and the WaFu 25000 are both scarce in their Plarail forms, they come from the 50th Anniversary C12 Steam Locomotive Arch Bridge and Rail Set [50周年記念 C12蒸気機関車 アーチ橋とレールセット], Apr-09.

     

Trivia: The ‘Express’ graphics on the ReMu 5000 are identical to those on the delivery truck trailer in the Tomica Long Trailer Gift Set [つなぎかえて遊べる！ロングトレーラーセット], Feb-05.

A pre-release prototype photo does show the train with six wagons; in this the ReMu 5000 is plain grey, and there’s an additional red WaMu 90000 whose origin is in the same C12 set as the others.

 
85118 Hypercity Rescue Mega Truck and Figure Pack
May 2011
This vehicle and its 2 Hypercity TOMICA characters will be the first on the refueling point! Free-wheeled vehicle that brings the TOMICA road world to life.
 
The tractor unit is a repaint of the Tomica #77 Hino Profia, Jan-05, while the trailer is a repaint of the one from the much older Long Tomica #L6 Tank Trailers, first made in 1978 it has the Tomy ‘2-kids’ trademark on the underside. The same combination was used for the ‘Natural Hot Spring’ Tank Truck in the Tomica Long Trailer Gift Set [つなぎかえて遊べる！ロングトレーラーセット], Feb-05 (see above).

  

ACCESSORIES
Expand your Tomica world with road, rail and pavement packs. Add tunnels and girders or crossing to give you even more possibilities.

These are mostly just the same as their Plarail equivalents, though sometimes they are mixed and matched in new ways.

85200 Overhead Crossing Bridge
July 2010
Add this great accessory to your World of Tomica and your Tomica trains can pass over the road without having to stop at any crossings for vehicles!

The stickers are different to those in Plarail J-06, they have no Japanese script on them.

  

85201 Clear Tunnel
July 2010
Create even more excitement to your World of Tomica by adding this great accessory.  Watch as your Tomica trains pass through the tunnel.

  

85202 Curves Pack
July 2010
Pack of 4 curved rail track pieces to extend your playsets and destinations and make your world of Tomica even bigger!

 

85203 Pavement Pack
July 2010
Pavement pieces to make your World of Tomica even bigger! The Pack consists of 8 pavement sections:

This is the Tomica Town Sidewalk Set [トミカタウン 歩道セット], Jun-08.

  

85204 Road Pack
July 2010
Extend your roads around Tomica world with the Tomica Road Pack, includes 20 pieces of road!

This is the Tomica Town Connecting Road [トミカタウン つながる道路], Jun-08.

  

85205 Sloped Rail and Girders
July 2010
Set of 2 Sloped Rail and 2 Girders. Add height to your World of Tomica with these great track pieces.

  

85206 Straight Rail
July 2010
Set of 4 Straight track pieces. Add to your World of Tomica to make it even bigger!

  

85207 Bumper Track Pack
July 2010
Bumper pack of Track to help get you started on building your own World of Tomica.  Includes small Road/Rail Crossing station, clear tunnel and 26 various track pieces which will ensure that you have enough track to build 6 different track layouts.

  

85209 Girders Pack
July 2010
Place your Tomica track on top of the Girders to add height to your Tomica World.  Each pack contains 6 low and 6 high girders.

  

85210 Turn Out Rail
July 2010
Add to your Tomica track and control if your train turns left or right. Set of 2 Tomica turn out rails.

  

85211 Road and Rail Pack
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010
This great bumper pack of track and road is great for getting started with building a World of Tomica. Add height to your track using the girders, and build a figure of eight road so that your cars can travel underneath the track. All packed in a handy storage box with handle.

     

85212 Straight Rail Connector Pack
May 2011
This is probably the rarest item in this list. It doesn't seem to exist in the tomy.co.uk archives but it does appear on their second leaflet.  The name I’ve given it here is a semi-educated guess.

  

85213 Crossing Bridge
May 2011
The World of Tomica can be extended even further with this great new accessory.  Connect your road and rail to the Crossing Bridge and watch as the bridge comes down as the trains travel over!

  

85214 Sloped Curve Rail
May 2011
The World of Tomica can be extended even further with these great new track pieces.  Take your Tomica trains even higher by adding these track pieces to your Tomica track layouts.

  

85215 2 x Flexi Rail
May 2011
Twist and bend your Tomica rail in any direction with this Flexi Rail. The perfect addition to your World of Tomica.

Two different packages exist, a cardboard box that appears to show three flexi rails?, and a clear plastic bag like the current Plarail R-23 packaging that contains two.

     

DESTINATIONS
Build your Tomica world bigger and better with our range of Tomica Destinations.

85300 Pizza Pizza
July 2010
Order your takeaway from the Pizza Pizza shop and send it on its way on the scooter.  Includes various accessories such as Tomi Kid Pizza Man Figure, shop, signs, car park, pavements, bus stop, street light and scooter.

This is the Tomica Town Nippon Rent-A-Car building [トミカタウン ニッポンレンタカー], Jun-09, but with a new set of stickers. It comes with a repaint of the Tomica #82 Pizza Delivery Bike, Oct-89 minus its original (non- Pla-kid) driver figure.

    

85301 Car Park
July 2010
Insert your parking card to gain entry into the Tomica Car Park. Room for 8 parking spaces. Move the levers to elevate cars and make more space.  Includes various accessories such as machine & barrier, Tomi Kid figure, car, signs and trees.

This is the Tomica Town Multi-Storey Car Park[トミカタウン 立体パーキング タイムズ], Jun-09, but with different stickers and a yellow Tomica #61 Suzuki Swift Sport, Mar-07. The Tomi Kid is familiar as one of the two that came with the Plarail Pla-kids C12 Steam Locomotive, Nov-01.

     

85303 HyperCity Rescue Fire Station
July 2010
A great rescue destination for Tomica World. Press the button on the roof to see lights flash and hear siren sounds. Open the roof and place the Tomica Fireman inside the command room. Then send the HyperCity Rescue Fire Engine to the rescue by pressing the button to make it shoot out of the parking space.  Features total of 4 parking spaces for use with HyperCity Rescue vehicles from the Tomica range. Garage Shutter can be opened / closed manually.  Includes HyperCity Rescue Fire Engine, Tomica Fireman and other accessories such as street lights and road signs.

This is the Tomica Town Fire Department [トミカタウン 消防署], Sep-08, but with different stickers. The fire engine is the same as the one in the 85101 4-pack.

     

85305 Honda Garage
July 2010
Tomica Honda Garage comes complete with Honda car, Honda shop, Honda Car Showroom, parking spaces and your very own Honda Tomi-Kid Figure.  Place a Honda car on the turntable in the Showroom and turn the dial on the roof to watch the car rotate.  Press the button on the roof of the shop to slide the entrance doors open.

This is the Tomica Town Honda Cars garage [トミカタウン Honda Cars], Jun-08, but whereas that had a motorised turntable in the showroom, with batteries and a switch in its roof, the Hypercity one can only be turned manually by rotating the grey knob on the roof. The picture on the Hypercity box and in the brochure shows the Japanese version, not the one that's in the box. The car is Tomica #81 Honda NSX-R, Dec-02.

     

85306 Petrol Station
July 2010
Fill up your Tomica cars with petrol at the Tomica Petrol Station and have them washed too. Drive the car into
the car wash to see sponges rotate.  If you need to fill up, turn the dials to choose type of petrol and insert card for fuel. Tomi Kid figures can even hold the fuel nozzles.  Press the button on the roof of the Petrol Shop to see the doors slide open. Includes various accessories such as Tomica car, Tomi-Kid figure, signs and street lights.

This is the Tomica Town Petrol Station ENEOS [トミカタウン ガソリンスタンド ENEOS], Sep-08, but with different stickers. The car is Tomica #64 Honda S2000, Jun-99.

     

85308 Repair Garage
July 2010
Raise the car on the Tomica Repair garage ramp to check underneath or go into the Repair Shop by pressing the button on the roof.  Complete with a Tomi Kid figure.

This is the Tomica Town Autobacs [トミカタウン オートバックス], Feb-09, but with different stickers.

     

PLAYSETS
See our great range of Tomica Playsets - all come with vehicles and characters. Range includes HCR Police HQ, Starter Rail Set, City Express Set, Big City Set and Mega Station Set.

85400 Starter Rail Set
July 2010
Great introduction track play set to Tomica World. Includes circular track layout, rail crossing, 2-speed train, clear tunnel and Tomi Kid!

The train is the Plarail S-08 E2 srs Shinkansen Asama [E2系 新幹線 あさま], Feb-07. Despite the published description, there is no Tomi Kid in this set.

  

85401 Mega Station Set
July 2010
Imagine being able to control a real working train station, complete with incoming traffic and a shop to play with! With Mega Station Set, kids can take on the exciting role as Stationmaster of Tomica city.  The ultimate action-packed Tomica set with giant track layout, lights and sounds and a never-before-seen fully automated station.  Watch as cars whizz up the ramp to the Tomica Mega Station and then stop to let the train go through. Complete with rail, road, pavement, train, station, 2 Tomica cars and a Tomi Kid Figure as well as a Convenience store with Tomi Kid figure, pavement, trees, parking spaces, convenience store sign and lamposts.

The train is 85107 City Train CT1100, i.e. the Toys"R"Us exclusive version of the Plarail S-62 E926 East-i.

Not exactly "never-before-seen", the Mega Station is the Plarail Let's play with Tomica! Auto Railroad Crossing Station [トミカと遊ぼう！オート踏切ステーション], Sep-07, but with different stickers.

The cars are a repaint of the white Tomica #60 Toyota Mark X Owned Car, Dec-08, with a different style of sign on the roof, and a red Tomica #44 Mazda MPV, Nov-06.

The convenience store is the Tomica Town Seven-Eleven [トミカタウン セブンイレブン], Jun-08, but with different stickers.

     

85402 Big City Set
July 2010
Explore the world of Tomica in this all-action figure-of-8 track set.  Set comes complete with rail, road, pavement, Girders and sloped rail to add height to your track, 2 speed Tomica Train, Train Station Platform, Repair Garage, Tomica Pick-up Truck and Tomi Kid Figure!

The train is the Plarail S-07 E1 srs Shinkansen Max [E1系新幹線Max], dark blue version, Jun-07.

The vehicle is the Tomica #02 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Tow-Truck, Nov-04.

The garage is the same Tomica Repair Garage as in 85308, and the station is the Plarail Elevated Station [高架駅] that first appeared in the 2007 N700 Basic Set, but with different stickers.

     

85403 City Express Set
July 2010
Explore the world of Tomica in this entry road and rail set.  Complete with 2-speed train, large oval track, train station, figure-of-eight road layout, car and Tomi Kid!

The train is 85106 City Train CT2000, i.e. the Plarail S-09 E3 srs Akita Shinkansen Komachi.

The car is Tomica #96 Mazda RX-8, Aug-03, the Tomi Kid is from the 2007 Plarail J-19 Pla-kids Sound Crossing, and the station is the same as the one in 85402.

    

85404 HCR Police Runner (Toys’R’Us) / HCR Mobile Police Station (Tomy)
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010, then general release sometime in 2011.
Huge armoured special vehicle with 2 mini containers that can transport your Tomica vehicles or be opened up to be the main command centre. Complete with HCR Policeman figure and Police Buggy!

This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police 02 Guard Runner [ハイパーブルーポリス ガードランナー], 2007.

        

85405 HCR Police Launcher
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010, then general release sometime in 2011.
A huge patrol vehicle with lights and sounds, complete with HCR Police Car and Policeman figure.

This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police 01 Super Sonic Runner [ハイパーブルーポリス スーパーソニックランナー], but with different stickers, and you also get a Tomica #67 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mar-08, repainted white and given HCR wrapping.

        

85406 HyperCity Rescue Police HQ
July 2010
Keep Tomica world in order with the Tomica HyperCity Rescue Police HQ, an all-action command centre complete with realistic sound effects, flashing lights, police car, helicopter, control room, helipad, Tomi Kid policeman and more!  Use the elevator car lift to transport the police car to the car launcher and watch as it shoots down the 3 different level ramps ready for action.

“Calling control, we have a situation on the corner of Tomica high street and station road. All units to despatch!” Cue: sirens blasting as the police car rushes to the scene! “Control we have a visual, suspect is escaping down the highway. Helicopter is cleared for take off and is taking pursuit…”

This is the Tomica Hyper Blue Police Station [ハイパーブルーポリスステーション], Mar-08, but with different stickers, plus the helicopter from 85103 and the same Tomica Evo as in 85405.

   

85407 Metropolis Set
Toys"R"Us exclusive, Autumn 2010
This awesome Tomica Hypercity Metropolis Set includes 2 large track layouts, underground tunnels and station, bridge, 2 trains, 2 cars, road layout and lots more! The ultimate Tomica road and rail set!

The two trains are:

• Plarail S-07 E1 srs Shinkansen Max as in 85402, and
  
• 85105 City Train CT1000, i.e. Plarail S-06 400 srs Shinkansen Tsubasa, but with grey wheels.
  

The two cars are:

• Tomica #75 Nissan X-trail, red, Apr-08, and
  
• Tomica #86 Mazda Demio, green, also Apr-08.
  

The Tomi Kid is one of the Pla-kids from the Plarail S-19 JR Kyushu White "Sonic", and the underground station is Plarail J-26 but with different stickers.

     

85412 Tomica Road & Rail Crossing Set
May 2011
Everything you need to get you started with your Tomica road and rail system.

The train is 85106 City Train CT2000, i.e. Plarail S-09 E3 srs Akita Shinkansen Komachi
The car is Tomica #11 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Jul-08.

    

85413 Tomica Metro City Set
May 2011
Bringing Tomica trains underground! The metro set features both overground and undergrounds trains & tracks – look through the tunnel and the metro train comes to see the headlights light up!

The train is the Plarail Tokyo Metro Ginza Line 01 srs with lights [ライト付 東京メトロ銀座線 01系], Dec-07.
The bus is Tomica #1 Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Queen, May-08, and the station is the Plarail J-13 City Station, with the same stickers.

Prototype photos used by some sales outlets show two trains, another clear dome tunnel, and an underground station as well, but despite being listed in the description and contents on tomy.co.uk, and even appearing on the back of the box, these didn’t make it into the final product.
 

  

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It's clear that Tomy's final attempt to penetrate the UK and European market with Plarail and Tomica products was not a success, though we don't know why. The number of items listed at tomy.co.uk peaked at 18 at the end of 2011, and by the following June, only two years after the range was launched, it had dropped to four.

Link to the first leaflet, created 7th June 2010
Link to the second leaflet, created 21st April 2011

I will update the list above as and when any additional information comes to light, so if you have any, please post below or PM me.

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Change Log
04-Jan-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85412, thanks to Super
19-Jan-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85406
02-Feb-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85404
10-Feb-22 replaced image of Pla-kid in 85110 with a much better one
09-Mar-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85405
11-Mar-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85102
31-May-22 added to text of 85305 (motorised turntable in Tomica version).

very nice, comprehensive list!! now i see just how limited a range we got here in nz. i had thought we got most of it, now i see it was closer to half.

[Super]

Awesome work Dr Chris. A massive amount of time and effort must have went into the research to make this extensive Product List. This is worthy of a Stick, permanently, to the top of the Forum as a Very Important Thread.

I do see a couple of items I don't think I have seen before...

The Police Hovercraft Container vehicle and the

Long Trailer Gift Set with matching 'Express' graphics to the 'Extra Long Train Set'

I've added a record of changes to the end of the original post.....

Change Log
04-Jan-22 added image of Plakid to 85412, thanks to Super

Just a hunch, but I suspect maybe the reason the line wasn't successful was the lack of Thomas trains?

I know that's odd and ironic considering at the same time, Trackmaster era Thomas was still more or less Plarail compatible (heck, I owned adapters officially packed into a set of the brown track to connect it to Plarail/Tomica blue) meaning in theory one could use the Tomica sets as expansions to a Thomas layout (and vice versa), but the thing is, given how Tomica World morphed into Motor Road and Rail, dispensing with the Japanese models in favour of Thomas, my theory is that people in Europe and the US (at least, the majority of people buying sets for their kids) wanted Thomas, as that's what the kids wanted.

Therefore it's my theory that Tomica/Plarail simply couldn't compete against Thomas both times, as for better or worse, people wanted trains they recognise as opposed to awesome, but outside of Japan relatively obscure models, and by the time they got to start selling the Plarail system in the West again, they'd lost the lucrative Thomas license that would have kept the Plarail line selling - Again, make of that what you will, personally I think there was ways they could have improved their marketing, such as making the origins of the trains more clear with a few facts about the model on the box like the Japanese versions (interesting for the kids/adults), maybe selling some of the Japanese steam models as steam trains are universally popular (plus, Hiro in Thomas has given Japanese steam some recognition worldwide), making a few unique 'world' trains like Tomica World had, such as the TGV, Eurostar, Amtrak and HST to add some recognisable stock in with the Japanese (I mean, they could have updated, had an Acela, newer TGV or even a UK Javelin as that was based on the 400 Series so it wouldn't have been too hard to recreate), and perhaps market Tomica as more of an integrated model system that can be both a toy and a long-term hobby (Hint, look at how Hornby et al markets, and push for that).

Same goes for the Tomica cars, because they were never sold in the Hot Wheels single pack format in the UK or Europe I don't think they ever stood a chance against the entrenched Western brands, in spite of being (IMHO) considerably better models in almost all aspects.

It is a shame, as somehow I'm not sure if we'll ever see Plarail again in the West as I think Tomy have been spooked out of a re-release by the popularity of Trackmaster - That said, considering the current direction of Trackmaster one has to wonder wether Tomy may take the opportunity to return again, given that many people preferred (at least, of the people I know) the stuff that was fully compatible across Plarail and G1 Trackmaster track as opposed to the newer stuff that seems only to work with current Trackmaster tracks and nothing else. Honestly though, without the Thomas licence (and let's face it, Mattel aren't likely to give that back to Tomy for the West), I don't see it happening, but hey, these last few years have been so screwy, stranger things have, and could well happen - Should the Plarail revival ever occur, you'd better belive ill be posting pics of a trolley load of goodies from my local Smyths, Toys R Us or whoever has stock, because I'll be there faster than they can say 'Plarail' lol

Change Log
04-Jan-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85412, thanks to Super
19-Jan-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85406

[Super]

Good find of the PlaKid 85406. I have or had several of the Police type with uniform and helmet but none with that expression on his face.

This page is rather nostalgic for me, I used to have some of these items, most notably the bullet train set and the clear tunnel, shame I lost most of it, but I still have the bullet train

I have some items of this range not many the tunnel from a set I bought back in Spain in 2015 (guess just old stock they wanted to sell) was alittle expensive but it was the set with the tunnel rail crossing and a bullet train I still have the tunnel and rail crossing the bullet train is lost due to time but I have the back of the train that's at the end and the shell of the coach but I also own the 85102 police buggy here it is in a Lightbox I decided to get out and take some pictures may make my own thread about these pictures or not how I got this was because I went to a charity some 3 or 2 years ago and saw this and bought it most likely didn't cost much but I don't remember the price of it I also still have the pamphlet of the bullet set but its most likely in Spain when I go there might make images of it
one shot


the back coupling


retracted coupling

Change Log
04-Jan-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85412, thanks to Super
19-Jan-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85406
02-Feb-22 added image of Pla-kid to 85404