Plarail (プラレール) is a toy train and plastic track system made by Tomy and introduced in Japan in 1959.[1] It was expanded into a battery-operated electric toy train system in October 1961.[1][2] Plarail is not compatible with most other brands of model railway, although as it has a similar rail gauge to the wooden toy train systems, rolling stock may run on both systems to some degree. Is used with Disney, Thomas the Tank Engine, Enchoen Plarail, Nashikkokan Plarail.
History
In 1959, the Plarail system launched in Japan with three hand-powered trains. The first train set released was titled 'Plastic Railroad Set', which featured a plastic steam locomotive and three freight cars to be moved by hand, and a figure 8 of light blue plastic railway track. In October 1961, the range was expanded into a battery-operated electric toy train system where the trains were fitted with miniature motors. The first set featuring this was the 'Electric Pla-Train Set', which included a three-car configuration of a locomotive and two cars. The three-car configuration has been frequently used since, particularly for later releases based on real life passenger trains. In 1971, after previously releasing generic trains, the first Plarail model to be based on a real life train was released, the