Plarail TOMY Thomas NEW RELEASES

If you didn't see it already, there are 2 interesting videos on the new releases:

- Suzukawa's video on the new Pullback Kenji and Thomas set;
(Kenji is rather fast with the slight pullback... But Thomas eventually catches him, and then he's pushing him.. nothing special in my opinion; I understand why it's there, but really don't like the back white "buffer" on Kenji.)

- New J-11 Station
(There is an interesting way of starting/stopping the trains: the red handle that also serves as a coupling of two stations)

It think just by looking at the photo art (and lack of any real good shot of it), that not even Tomy likes that dumb white “thing” on the back of Kenji.
This bums me out. I had already accepted that it was a pullback. But now after seeing that what ever it’s supposed to be giant white I don’t know what, I am back to being disappointed. ?

Thanks Mr No for the video Links.

The set just doesn't look worth spending that much....here is the one thing that should have been included to make it more desirable...IMO.....That Jet/Rocket (whatever you call it) should have had 3 working red LED's and a bit longer. They could have been powered by a AAA battery or have an inboard generator powered by the wheels similar to the single Shinkansen rear cars they release for several versions that depending on which way the rear coach was pulled, the car lights would either glow red or white.

This one change, I think, would make this set more desirable as if you look at Hobby Search they still don't have enough pre-orders to close the reservations and that is unusual for new Plarail sets.

(02-04-2021, 01:09 PM)Super Wrote: That Jet/Rocket (whatever you call it) should have had 3 working red LED's and a bit longer.

Exactly. Without any gimmicks the set is just too plain. But, if they made that jet engine with lights, that would be a different story. And they shouldn't have made Kenji with that ugly white thing on his back. This is not selling good (at least for now) because it's not much of a set. What is that? A circle of tracks, a siding, and that station that's not worthy of Takara Tomy name underneath. They shouldn't have made that set at all. Plain and simple, the much better idea would be - to make two trains: (1) Thomas with the lighted jet engine and (2) Kenji as a normal 3-car-train. The latter they still might produce. 

Reading up the contents of the Kenji set online, I believe the rear bumper used for Thomas to push Kenji might be removable? It is listed as a separate piece.

If that's the case is it possible to hook up a rear coupler onto him or do a proper chassis swap with a hole cut in for the lever?

(02-06-2021, 03:32 AM)jdogman Wrote: the rear bumper used for Thomas to push Kenji might be removable?

So then the reason for this big thing is so that Thomas can push him smoothly from the rear and not get caught or hung up and derail either Thomas front end or Kenji's rear like a regular engine might do when pushing. I would have thought something smaller than this huge thing could have been designed but I guess that is why I am not a million dollar company

(02-06-2021, 03:32 AM)jdogman Wrote: Reading up the contents of the Kenji set online, I believe the rear bumper used for Thomas to push Kenji might be removable? It is listed as a separate piece.

as per this post....

The just released J-12 Pedestrian Overpass...

What do you all think?

I think classic overpasses are looking much better. Just my opinion. But the new J-12 will be very popular for sure, because you can put Plakids in it (of course, you don't get any with J-12!), and I bet kids (of all ages) would like that feature!

Also, new J-12 overpass will look good with new J-11 Station.