Plarail DD51 Round-up

Here’s a look back at the history of the Plarail DD51, inspired by the recent announcement of a new DD51 Double Header Set, to be released in March 2022.
 

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1973. DD51 Diesel Locomotive [DD51ディーゼルきかんしゃ], type 2 ‘Merry-go-round’ box.
 

1973. DD51 Diesel Locomotive Set [DD51ディーゼルきかんしゃセット].
 

1974. DD51 Diesel Locomotive [DD51ディーゼルきかんしゃ], type 3 ‘Hikari’ box. Roof and chassis changed from grey to black, though not in the box illustration.
 

1976. DD-51 Diesel Locomotive [DD-51 ディーゼル], two boxes, a generic type 4 ‘Train’ box with the product name on a sticker, and another with the name printed on it.
 

1979. DD-51, type 5 ‘EC’ box, with item number DL01 on the end. There may also be a rare version in this box with the original grey roof & chassis

1987. DD-51, type 6 box.
 

1994. DD-51 Diesel Locomotive [DD-51ディーゼル機関車], type 7 box. This was the start of the ‘new power’ era, with the top switch and pinion driven axle that we know today replacing the earlier front switch and friction driven wheels. The wheels have changed from red to yellow.
 

1997. Tomica Plarail World - Motor Tomica Basic Set [トミカプラレールワールド モータートミカベーシックセット]. The DD51 has no number plate. The first production in a realistic livery - Hokutosei blue train, but without the shooting star. The set also contains a unique colour Motor Tomica CR-V.
 

2001. Tower Rail Set [タワーレールセット]. The green ‘Safety First’ stickers shown on the box were separate in the set, more often than not you’ll see the locomotive without them.
 

2001. First Try Set, Red [ファーストトライセット あか].
 

2001. Euro Car Train [ユーロカートレイン], with a Tomica Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon.

2002. Blue Train Set [ブルートレインセット]. Individual loco numbers applied for the first time, namely motorized DD51 58 (although this never existed) and dummy DD51 37 (which was scrapped before the Hokutosei blue livery was ever used). The station colouring is unique to this set, and eight Pla-kids is the stuff of dreams.
 

2002 Plarail Day. DD51 Type Diesel Locomotive (New Paint) [DD51形ディーゼル機関車(新塗装)]. Plarail Fan Club members’ gift. The non-existent DD51 58 again, this time in a new JR Freight livery.
 

2003. K-01 DD51 851 [DD51形851号機], type 9 box.

2003. K-02 DD51 1150 [DD51形1150号機]

2005. Sleeping Cars Set [寝台車セット], Toys “R” Us exclusive. Powered DD51 1068 and dummy DD51 1148, plus an EF81.

2005. S-59 Blue Train Izumo [ブルートレイン出雲], DD51 1186.

2008. Tomica & Plarail Town Set [トミカとプラレールの街セット]. Hokutosei DD51 1068 again, but with a new ‘car train’ drumhead and grey wheels. Also a Tomica Evo X.
 

2011. KF-03 DD51 851 [DD51形851号機]. K and F numbers amalgamated into KF numbers. This is the same as K-01.
 

2011. Tomica Loading Freight Cars Set [トミカ搭載貨車セット]. Hokutosei DD51 1068 with ‘car train’ drumhead, the same as in the 2008 Tomica & Plarail Town Set.
 

2018. Car Train Hokkaido [カートレイン北海道]. Released at Plarail Expo, and once again it’s the Hokutosei DD51 1068 with ‘car train’ drumhead.
 

Which brings us to 2022, and the Last Blue Train Hokutosei DD51 Double Header [最後のブルートレイン 北斗星DD51重連仕様]. This will have two new locos, a motorized DD51 1100 with Hokutosei drumhead, and dummy DD51 1138. The last Hokutosei Blue Train ran in 2015, so it’s taken a while for it to be commemorated.
 

Have I missed any?

Thanks Chrisjo! Great historical review of a really nice and popular locomotive. So many wonderful sets with DD51!

... popular locomotive...

I was interested to read that the DD51 was just as unpopular among train enthusiasts in Japan as diesels were in the UK when I were a lad, and for the same reasons. Among the derogatory names used were 'Red Pig', 'Paperweight', and 'No-good Degoichi' (I haven't found a satisfactory translation of Degoichi yet, but it was a nick-name for the D51 steam locomotive).

Popular among modelers and collectors, of course. I see that, apart from Plarail, they also produced many models in the N scale. Well, it is not unusual for people to develop nostalgic memories of once unpopular things... 

... popular locomotive...

I was interested to read that the DD51 was just as unpopular among train enthusiasts in Japan as diesels were in the UK when I were a lad, and for the same reasons. Among the derogatory names used were 'Red Pig', 'Paperweight', and 'No-good Degoichi' (I haven't found a satisfactory translation of Degoichi yet, but it was a nick-name for the D51 steam locomotive).

Degoichi = D51

D => De
5 => Go => This is the pronunciation for the number 5
1 => Ichi => This is the pronunciation for the number 1


So... an English equivalent for the nickname could be... Dee-five-one 

-plarnold

[Super]

FANTASTIC!!! Thank You Chrisjo!!!

One of my favorite Diesels, I love this chronological story as I have never seen something like this all in one place before. I love all the versions especially since the shells are pretty much interchangeable with all the chassis's. This has been so beneficial for me as I have searched out many of the Post 2002 chassis to replace all the ones I have had that do not have the white handrails. I prefer the look of the white handrails chassis with the gray wheels There are a few different variations, Black chassis with white rails, gray with white rails, a darker gray with white rails. There are even different colors of the chassis stripe on the sides. Another big bonus is the fact the chassis are also interchangeable with my other favorite diesels...the DE-10's which also have some exclusive chassis. I do have to say the I was a bit disappointed that the, soon to be re-release (March) of the Hokutosei DD51 Tandem Sleeper set, does not have the chassis with the white handrails.

I know you put in a lot of time and research into these Threads and this is another one that I think is valuable for all to see and learn from whether a Member at BPT's or visitor. It answers so many questions and this will be place in the Important Threads area at the very top of this Forum.

Thank you Dr Chris

The DD51 is one of my favorite trains that I usually buy.

To my knowledge, it was never unpopular... I absolutely keep buying DD51's.

The DD51, ED61, ED70, EF13, EF60, EF62, EF63, EF64, EF65, EF66, EF70, EF71, EF80, EF81, EF510...these are power horse trains that tetsudo mokei fans find essential to their collection.