Looking at how the AEG sets are designed, I really don't see them becoming the main Thomas line, or selling very well at all.
Think about it, Japanese consumers are probably going to want stuff that works with regular Plarail trains as well, and these sets simply won't.
As for the AEG trains, aside from those ugly wheels, I get the feeling those protruding bumps on the wheels will nix compatibility with regular Plarail simply because they won't be able to fit stations and tunnels without crashing into them...
Finally, I didn't even know AEG was that popular in Japan anyway, it certainly isn't that popular among people I know in the UK, including a relative of mine, who is the perfect age for Thomas but will not watch AEG because, in his very true toddler words, 'not proper Thomas'.
Point is, I think TOMY must acknowledge that consumers, kids and collectors prefer the regular non AEG stuff, but are maybe under duress by Mattel to make something AEG in the Plarail line to keep the overall rights to anything Thomas.
I'd assume the separation of the line is to make it clearly distinct, and my best and most hopeful prediction is that this is like the TOMY 'My First Train Set' which used Plarail track but a unique pull-back Plarail bullet train that wasn't really compatible with much else of the Plarail line, but was more intended as an entry point for the youngest kids.
In any case, I ain't wasting my money on any of this junk lol 🤣 CG engines all the way people, because I make no secrets of how I despise All Engines Go for what it has done to the franchise.
Think about it, Japanese consumers are probably going to want stuff that works with regular Plarail trains as well, and these sets simply won't.
As for the AEG trains, aside from those ugly wheels, I get the feeling those protruding bumps on the wheels will nix compatibility with regular Plarail simply because they won't be able to fit stations and tunnels without crashing into them...
Finally, I didn't even know AEG was that popular in Japan anyway, it certainly isn't that popular among people I know in the UK, including a relative of mine, who is the perfect age for Thomas but will not watch AEG because, in his very true toddler words, 'not proper Thomas'.
Point is, I think TOMY must acknowledge that consumers, kids and collectors prefer the regular non AEG stuff, but are maybe under duress by Mattel to make something AEG in the Plarail line to keep the overall rights to anything Thomas.
I'd assume the separation of the line is to make it clearly distinct, and my best and most hopeful prediction is that this is like the TOMY 'My First Train Set' which used Plarail track but a unique pull-back Plarail bullet train that wasn't really compatible with much else of the Plarail line, but was more intended as an entry point for the youngest kids.
In any case, I ain't wasting my money on any of this junk lol 🤣 CG engines all the way people, because I make no secrets of how I despise All Engines Go for what it has done to the franchise.
Been building Plarail worlds since 2001; Building when I can in 2023 
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