Plarail TOMY Thomas NEW RELEASES

TAKARA TOMY E5 Series Hayabusa Train Control is absolutely great device. With this controller you can start and stop the train very realistically. It's much better than any other starting/stopping element (like the stop rails).

There are 2 forward going speeds and 1 if you want to go backwards. In this video of mine (from approximately 4:38 on)  you can see how the train goes forward, slows nicely, and then goes backwards into the depot. It's true that you have to work and maneuver the train yourself, but the effect is, at least for me, much more realistic and therefore better. Of course, if you want the whole thing to work automatically (for some nice shunting in the yard, or the switchback-traffic, the reversing rails and one way points, like those that come with Auto Transfer Stations, are the best.

 

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Here is the old Maglev train (released March 14th 2019):


Really not much of a difference here, IMHO. (The price goes up slightly, though: the 2019 model was 2800 JPY, the new one is 3080). 

We can see they are re-releasing some models (occasionally with minor changes like the back couplings, colours or the like), but all of them are relatively recent models. If they are in re-releasing business now (and they obviously are) why not repeat some 10 or more years old interesting models, like Kiha 40 Bantam Line or beautiful orange Osaka Loop Line? Also, many Thomas & Friends fans would love to see some re-releases, wouldn't they? What's keeping them from re-release of Stepney or Oliver, for example? They could sell ton of them.

Some previous models of this new re-releases (like this one, or the Aru Ressha for example) are still selling regularly... Why re-release them so quickly? By the way, they announced that - with releasing the new Maglev train - the old one goes "out of print", so if anyone wants the old version now it's time to buy. Also, with the release of the new Hida/Nanki train, the S-20 Royal Express will not be produced anymore.