Info on this Oldie?

[Super]

Anyone recognize or have any info on this oldie from Plarail/Tomy? Quite old as it has the metal on/off switch on the underside of the front. Might it have the old metal engine that is friction driven? Looks more like a replica bus than a commuter train.

It is called the High way bus (プラ電動ハイウェイバス). The more correct translation would be the Electric-Plastic Highway Bus.

This specific model was manufactured between 1966 to 1969. The outer white parts is plastic while the internal part with the printing of the people is made from sheet metal. The internal drive unit is exactly the same as the ones used in the 1960s in Plarail models.

There are other Highway buses in the Plarail/Tomy Motorised range made in the past.

I hope that helps.


-plarnold

[Super]

Fantastic Plarnold, you are a wealth of information. I think this is a first for me, learning about something Plarail from back in the 60's. Interesting to hear that the inside people were printed on sheet metal, I never would have guessed. And thanks for the translation into Japanese which makes searching easier. It would be interesting to see if there is a pictorial of the ages of the Plarail/Tomy trains as I would like to see and here more about these and other earliest trains.

See Plarnold's got this! I knew you guys didn't need me anymore!

geri, we always need you!!

super, is that bus something you own? ive never seen them before, its way cute

[Super]

@Sunhuntin

Not mine but it being cute was what caught my eye too, I happened to see it in an auction and it intrigued me as I had not seen one before and it looked quite vintage.