TAKARATOMY

Plarail

The History of Plarail

Various Plarail products have been enjoyed since its debut. We would like to introduce some of them from its history.
1959:Plastic Railroad Set : The Plarail prototype
1959:Plastic Railroad Set : The Plarail prototype
This became the model for later Plarail toys. The trains were moved by hand.
1961:Electric Pla-Train Set : Fitted with miniature motors
1961:Electric Pla-Train Set : Fitted with miniature motors
Three train cars could be joined together and run by battery power.
The three-car configuration is still standard in Plarail sets today.
1971:Release of the D51 Kisha, a model based on a real life railroad train
1971:Release of the D51 Kisha, a model based on a real life railroad train
Plarail models make a switch from
generic trains to actual trains such as the D51 freight car.
Manual interchange, turn out rails were also released this year.
1992:Thomas & Friends Series launched
1992:Thomas & Friends Series launched
Products based on the hugely popular Thomas and Friends series
are added to the Plarail family.
2008:Hyper Guardian joins Plarail
2008:Hyper Guardian joins Plarail
A new addition to the Plarail family: the railroad security force Hyper Guardian series.
Now there's even more playing to be done!
2009:Plarail's 50th anniversary
2009:Plarail's 50th anniversary
A range of special events were held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Plarail,
including the release of the C12 Steam Train Arch Bridge and Rail Set ,
developed as a recreation of the original Plarail release, updated with 2009 technology.
2011:Release of Plarail Advance, Te-cology Plarail, and Big Plarail
2011:Release of Plarail Advance, Te-cology Plarail, and Big Plarail
This year marked the launch of several innovative new Plarail series.
Plarail Advance: Small enough to fit two trains on just one standard size rail.
Te-cology Plarail: Lights up without batteries
Big Plarail: With a microphone for added fun
2012:Release of Chuggington Plarail
2012:Release of Chuggington Plarail
Summer 2012: Look out for the new Plarail Chuggington Series!