What is this Thomas Set?

[Super]

I have had several of those Tidmouth Stations including one I still have. They were easy to find cheaply in the Japan Auctions.

I have had several of those Tidmouth Stations including one I still have. They were easy to find cheaply in the Japan Auctions.

Yes, I agree I do seem them sometimes but only as the station, never as new in the bucket set. That set is hard to find new for a decent price. Why does the price of Thomas and Friends Plarail become absurd after only a few years since its out of print? I mean do sellers think someone would pay $400-$500 for a Plarail T-33 Sir Handel new in box against a retail price of $20? The value jumps higher than LEGO; but no one buys it at this price so why is it listed at this price? Do TOMY declare the value of the item?

I think, for instance, the Sir Handel value has been established as "thee" high market price...no one has listed any for a lower price anywhere, which suggests with the absence of any other listings, that they truly are very rare bnib.
I money was no issue I would buy one, but I am forced to wait for the person who is either willing to sell one for less immediately, or stumble upon a seller who doesn't know the value of what they are selling...so far unfortunately, I have not come across that seller.

I think, for instance, the Sir Handel value has been established as "thee" high market price...no one has listed any for a lower price anywhere, which suggests with the absence of any other listings, that they truly are very rare bnib.
I money was no issue I would buy one, but I am forced to wait for the person who is either willing to sell one for less immediately, or stumble upon a seller who doesn't know the value of what they are selling...so far unfortunately, I have not come across that seller.

Yes, I do agree with you about the market value.

And yes, finding a very rare item new requires patience and a decent amount of money in your pocket depending if the seller is listing it for its retail price or from a starting bid.

Like, I had a bidding war this December for a new in box "Toad and Trucks", the seller put the starting price at $10 but it went up to $78 which I ended up paying because I think it was worth it, it is unlikely to come across this item new in the box while Sir Handel can easily be found new in box (T-33). I guess sellers do this to make more money and to make the items more sought after because of their price.

Yes, I do agree with you about the market value.

And yes, finding a very rare item new requires patience and a decent amount of money in your pocket depending if the seller is listing it for its retail price or from a starting bid.

Like, I had a bidding war this December for a new in box "Toad and Trucks", the seller put the starting price at $10 but it went up to $78 which I ended up paying because I think it was worth it, it is unlikely to come across this item new in the box while Sir Handel can easily be found new in box (T-33). I guess sellers do this to make more money and to make the items more sought after because of their price.

The crazy $300-$500 dollar Sir Handel that commands this price is a Bnib original first release Japanese issue pagackaging of the Plarail model. (The same as the ones you just scored) Western market packaging Tomy/Hit English versions do not.

The crazy $300-$500 dollar Sir Handel that commands this price is a Bnib original first release Japanese issue pagackaging of the Plarail model. (The same as the ones you just scored) Western market packaging Tomy/Hit English versions do not.

Thank you for your reply! I see so its the first edition is what is the real price tag, much like the original Plarail engines in Thomas and Friends.

Though finding a new in box MR&R or TrackMaster HiT / Tomy Sir Handel which is the same as the Plarail is impossible to find!

I now have the TrackMaster TOMY Sir Handel new and sealed in box which I thought was impossible to find. Life is so unpredictable!