Plarail TOMY Thomas NEW RELEASES

Finally, it's nice to see some progress after all these months. A picture of the Bees Chasing Along with James Freight Car Set has been uploaded.



Really nice use of the repaints, even if James based on Buzz, Buzz and The Green Controller seem to be the only James' that keep getting made now.

[Super]

Thanks for the picture Jdogman. It as been a while. Wonder if this is the last new release Thomas and Friends train that we will ever see from Tomy/Plarail.

I have to say its sure not what I expected but then I wasn't expecting anything. Just thought it would be something different from other trains. I am kind of underwhelmed as the Bee chasing James is facing the wrong way and looks like an elephant with yellow stripes. What have ladybugs have to do with it? Were they in some Bee episode? Is that rear wagon for honey, is that what the graphics depict? I do like the face with the red nose. Might there be a Bee on it and that is why James is crossed eyed?

[HankAmericanEngine]

Thanks for the picture Jdogman. It as been a while. Wonder if this is the last new release Thomas and Friends train that we will ever see from Tomy/Plarail.

I have to say its sure not what I expected but then I wasn't expecting anything. Just thought it would be something different from other trains. I am kind of underwhelmed as the Bee chasing James is facing the wrong way and looks like an elephant with yellow stripes. What have ladybugs have to do with it? Were they in some Bee episode? Is that rear wagon for honey, is that what the graphics depict? I do like the face with the red nose. Might there be a Bee on it and that is why James is crossed eyed?

Howdy Super!

The Season 3 episode, "James Goes Buzz Buzz" is a popular fan favourite, and I can answer some of your questions!

Firstly, in the entirety of the episode, James' boiler and dome become covered with bees (can't spoil anything-- I recommend watching the episode, narrated by George Carling to understand), so there was no mentioning of ladybugs whatsoever; I think they were thrown into the set to relate to nature, so they don't relate to the episode whatsoever.

Second, the rear wagon's door does have a honeypot on it, so it is probably a redressed cattle car to transport honey from the hives once collected; I can't tell if it has a bee on it or not, but I'm fairly sure it might.

Lastly, James went cross-eyed in the episode when (SPOILERS!) a bee stings James directly on the nose; although small, it's not as exaggerated as the HiT Toy Company's production, but the lack of bees is sincerely sad. I don't think this is a train set I'll be buying from the TAKARA TOMY Corporation, even if it is the last of their Thomas & Friends line.

That looks great. I might try to get it when it goes onto amazon. Also, scared James face that isn't TrackMaster Revolution. I will admit, my heart skipped a beat when I saw it, because I was expecting it but wasn't at the same time, because it's going to be released in November. Anyway, cool set. Also, I would think that Plarail would keep the license until 2017, because it seems logical that a license for a toy company would last for 5 years.

Some slightly old but still relevant news.

If you buy a Big Thomas this month, for a limited time you can receive a bonus clear version of Clarabel.

o man, i must get that at some stage!

Some slightly old but still relevant news.

If you buy a Big Thomas this month, for a limited time you can receive a bonus clear version of Clarabel.

I love that clarabel

[Super]

I never did get the attraction to clear trains and coaches. Plarail has a lot of those in their non=Thomas trains. Now if there was something to see inside that would be a different story. Maybe rows of seats with passengers then I could see an attraction.

just got an email from hobby search... the minnie mouse train is now available.

as to the clear trains, i like that they are something different. i really want one with the clear engine casing and all the different colored gears inside. one of my favourite things about the old magnet tomy trains is popping the body for cleaning and seeing what color the inside is. some white, some pink, others green, yellow and blue.
with clarabel, i would maybe open her up and put something inside, like small christmas balls.

[Super]

with clarabel, i would maybe open her up and put something inside, like small christmas balls.

I like that idea! Or how about small, silver bells These clear Clarabels are showing up on the Yahoo Japan Auctions quite a few times and don't seem like they are being grabbed up too fast so they can be bought.