波風　NAMIKAZE Toys

New stuff! New stuff!

2009-08-13T16:46:00.007-10:00

So, the FedEx guy was kind enough to deliver our new shipment of items yesterday. Most of it was restock for a bunch of items that we had run out of (bridge-legs, straight and curved track, etc), but we did get a couple special items in that are quite awesome. First up, something for the Thomas fans.

Thomas to nigiyaka kasha Set

Literally translated, it means Thomas and the Lively Train-car Set. That's boring. I'm calling this the Awesome Thomas set! Look at it! Even people non-fans of Thomas have to admit, this thing is Awesome-- capital A. Not only does it come with a sweet set of TEN train cars, it also comes with three cool smaller character vehicles, Trevor, Caroline and Terence. As if that wasn't awesome enough, there's enough track to create a good sized circuit and train base. Take a look at some of the pictures below.

Red Thunder fumikiri Set

Here at Namikaze Toys, we are absolute suckers for awesome sets and cargo trains. Put the two together, and you have epic win. We present to you, the Red Thunder fumikiri Set. Fumikiri means to step on the brakes, and when a train is crossing in front of you, that's exactly what you do. This is actually a fairly older set but when we saw we couldn't resist adding it to our catalogue.

Not only does it contain the really cool Red Thunder engine, it also includes the aging PlaRoad component. These days, finding PlaRoad is becoming more and more difficult as it is slowly phased out in favor of the Tomica Town that while looks real, just isn't as fun as PlaRail Thankfully in this set, you get a small PlaRoad circuit and a PlaRoad battery powered truck. That's right. No more manual pushing. That truck runs on its own and stops on its own and compliments a PlaRail layout perfectly.

Here's a picture of the crossing mechanism showing how the truck stops as the train approaches the intersection.

All of these items can be found at our online store, at http://www.namikazetoys.com

If you have any questions regarding these items, email us at namikazetoys@gmail.com

Choo choo!

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, August 2009

2009-08-07T18:57:00.015-10:00

S-51 Hitoyoshi 8620 Steam Locomotive (SL)
This old style steam locomotive returned to operation in May 2009 after a 4 year hiatus for renovations and repairs. Hitoyoshi runs through Kumamoto Prefecture and is operated by Kyushu Railway Co. The SL is running one 2.5 hour trip along the scenic Kumagawa River. SL Hitoyoshi comes with 1 Pla-Kid and requires 1 AA battery.

C57-180 Banestu Monogatari Go Basic Set (SL)
The C57-180 still runs Comes with 1 Conductor Pla-Kid, mini blue iron bridge, 2 sakura (pink) trees, and 1 station. The C57-180 is run by JR East in Niigata and operates on a 3 hour 20 minute route.

Hyper Guardian Large Rotating Station (Daikaiten Station)
This repair station is meant for the Hyper Guardian series trains. It can rotate 360 degrees and can have 5 different rail routes attached to the station. The station comes with one Pla-Kid Station commander and has light and sound effects.

Thomas Basic Set
Thomas, Annie and Clarabelle with a station and mountain tunnel.

Up!

2009-08-04T20:45:00.013-10:00

We've got more monorail expansion sets and could not resist opening another track for both our monorails. Here's the 2-monorail, 7-train track tower initially built on the carpet. However, the soft surface combined with the weight of 7 layers of track above made the bottom track too tight to run any trains!
Looking around the room, our dinner table looked like a perfect fit for our layout. We proceeded with operation move it up to the dining table!
It would have been a magnificent feat if we were able to move the entire 8 layers of track with just 2.5 people! I really did think it would work, until we got about 3/4 of the way there, the bend around the couch maneuver didn't go as I planned....
In this case, what was trying to go up, had to come down first :P. Then the rebuild...
And finally, presenting, all 8 layers, 7 trains and 2 monorails on the dining table. Victory!!!

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, July 2009

2009-07-18T15:45:00.017-10:00

S-47 Enoden 1000 Sound Series
Tomy has modernized the look of this toy to match the actual train. Enoden makes door, train moving, and bell sounds. As with most of Tomy's sound trains, this one requires 1 C and 2 AAA batteries for the motor and sounds.

Tomica Town and Plarail Auto Braking Station
This is a train station with an automatic train crossing point. Tomica cars can climb the parking structure then free fall down to the train crossing light. The station includes buttons for real annoucments, car noises and train sounds. The crossing can be set to automatic or manual for both the train or cars. If you don't want your Tomica cars to run in an endless loop, there's a route you can set to leave the station. Tomy recommends that you use regular-sized cars instead of larger trucks, rescue vehicles, buses, or ones with tractor like treads. This station does not include a train or Tomcia cars and requires 3 C batteries.

EF200 Tank Cargo Set

The EF200 comes with 7 tank cars and 1 engine. It requires 1 C battery and is added to the line of long cargo engines like Kintaro, Red Thunder, and Momotaro cargo sets. This type of engine's wheel arrangement is known in Japan as Bo-Bo-Bo.

Plarail Starter Basic Set
This set contains a stations, train crossing, a curved tunnel (J-01) and variety of splitter, turns, and straight rail pieces.

High Speed Rail and Blue Iron Bridge Set
This elevated grey track is used primarily for Shinkansens in Japan. The blue iron bridge is also a familiar site for rail and vehicles.

J-24 Train Base
Your Shinkansen's home base finally sold separately! Previously, Tomy sold train bases in sets, like the E4 Max Train Base Set. This is the first time it's being offered as a scenary piece as described by the "J" part assignment. Line up as many as you like, the more the merrier!!

Thomas Suspension Bridge Set
Thomas and his milk tanks slowly crosses the suspension bridge, making a "gura gura" sound, swaying with the bridge.

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, June 2009

2009-07-17T16:09:00.015-10:00

Seems this month is "kissing train" month as Tomy puts out 2 pairs of Shinkansen that can be connected by magnets hidden in retractable noses. All Shinkasen engines each require a AA battery to operate. All Tomy kissing trains can be paired interchangeably.

E3-2000 Series & E4 Max Coupled Shinkansen Set
This one features the new Yamagata servicing Tsubasa (E3-2000) which went into operation this past May 2009. The E4 Max series is a double decker shinkansen.
E2 Hayate & E3 Komachi Coupled Shinkansen Set
These two Shinkasen can be seen coupled in real life. They are used in the Nagano and Tohoku Shinkansen services. They were both built beginning in 1995. E2 Hayate is featured in front with E3 Komachi coupled behind.

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, April and May 2009

2009-04-11T15:13:00.004-10:00

S-11 N700 Shinkansen Sound Series
The popular N700 Shinkansen now has a sound! It makes announcements and train moving sounds, but requires 1 AA and 2 AAA batteries.
Thomas Colorful Magareru Set (Bending Rail Set)
This vibrant transporter Thomas rail set debuts in March. The set includes 1 Thomas Engine, 1 brown passenger car, 1 Sir Topham Hatt (PlaKid), 2 inner curve rails (R-03), 1 stop rail (R-08), 3 rainbow bending rails (R-23), 1 colorful drawbridge (J-05), 1 green block tunnel, and 1 small train station with 2 trees.

50 Years of PLARAIL!

2009-04-03T00:25:00.030-10:00

In 2009, Tomy Plarail celebrates its 50th birthday. Coincidentally, Namikaze Toys is located in Hawaii which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of Statehood! In honor of both, we've created the Hawaii Five-O Loop and share the details of the evolution of PLARAIL!

1959 - Tomy creates Plarail, its first trains were hand powered rolling plastic trains1961 - Tomy releases the first battery powered plastic train sets1970 - The first Plarail logo is released, followed by some redesigns until they reach the modern day version below

It was interesting to read that the signature blue rail has not changed much in 50 years. The first "tsuru tsuru" is literally smooth, "zara zara" is rough, and "giza giza" is jagged.The rail's turning radius was determined by the ちゃぶ台 ("chabudai" - once a popular low tea table). It was 470 mm across and completely contains one circle of Plarail track.

So, to celebrate, Tomy has released the 50th Anniversary Commemorative C-12 Steam Train and Arched Bridge Rail Set. That's a mouth full, but onto the pictures!!!
* all information and pictures gathered from Tomy's website

New Designs: "Hawaii Five-O Loop"

2009-04-02T18:25:00.024-10:00

The Namikaze Design Team is finally back after a fairly long hiatus. This layout features the rare hanging monorail extension set presented back in January. We're calling this track the "Hawaii Five-O Loop" for the 5 separate tracks created right here in Hawaii!
The trains running are Kintaro freight and cargo train (red), Rail Star with lights Shinkansen (grey), N700 with lights Shinkansen (white with blue), Odakyu 8000 Series commuter train (off white with blue stripe), and the EF66 direct current freight train (blue with beige). The lone monorail is the blue Resort Express which includes a picture of the Big Island (Hawaii) and dolphins :D!

Then we decided to add another recently acquired piece, the red U-turn Rail (R-10). This meant altering the top loop, but allowing 1 train to double back around the same way it came.

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, January - March 2009

2009-03-07T17:33:00.028-10:00

Our blog has started the year as quietly as Tomy's new product list. There was nothing to report being released in January and February.... but this month is HYPER GUARDIAN MARCH! Here we gooo....

Hyper Guardian Series - Transport Liner
The Trans-Liner is the newest addition to the Hyper Guardian Series - Disaster and rescue vehicles. This is a MONSTER size train set that comes with 5-car trains, 2 PLA-kid Trans-Liner operators, 1 Purple Chaser (motorcycle looking vehicle), 1 Purple Search (search car). This liner train's engine requires 1-C battery. The 2 smaller vehicles are not battery powered, but can fit into the train's cargo cars. Tomy has yet to announce the last Hyper Guardian Series train.
Hyper Guardian Accessories
Since Tomy released a Transport-Liner, we consider these next few vehicles accessories to the Trans-Liner above. These small vehicles are hand operated, much like Lego or Hotwheels.

HGV-01 Blue Chaser
This little 2-wheeled vehicle looks like the blue version of the Purple Chaser above. It also comes with one PLA-kid but no track. As a single vehicle it takes up only one groove in a PLA-Rail track however, it can be connected to another one groove vehicle to create a 4-wheeled vehicle.

HGV-02 Yellow Mover
Yellow mover is another 2-wheeled vehicle that comes from the construction Drill Liner Hyper Guardian Series. It also comes with one PLA-kid but no track. Yellow mover can be connected to another Yellow Mover, or other single groove riding Hyper Guardian accessory, like Blue Chaser.

HGV-03 Red Search
Red Search is a 4-wheeled vehicle that comes from the Fire Liner Hyper Guardian Series. This little car comes with one PLA-kid and no track. Red Search has a train connector ring, meaning it can be in tow or appear to be towing the Fire Liner at the front.

HGV-04 White Saver
This 4-wheeled ambulance is not officially affiliated to a Hyper Guardian series, but is in line with the Search and Rescue theme. It too comes with one PLA-kid and no track. The back of the ambulance can be opened to hold an injured PLA-kid or more emergency personnel.

Your Creations - Now Open!

2009-01-06T14:03:00.003-10:00

A few of you may have seen our store homepage and wondered what the 'Your Creations' section (Orange Tab) at the bottom was. Until how it has been simply listed as Under Construction but it was always intended to be a gallery of user-submitted PLARAIL layouts and designs. I am pleased to announce that the section is now tentatively open for any submissions from our readers, customers and anyone else who wants to showcase their PLARAIL layout online. It still needs more tweaking, but once we get more pictures up, we hope that it will grow into a nice display of what PLARAIL is capable of.

We'll take submissions of all your designs no matter how intricate or simple they may be. We just request that the design be 100% yours, and not random pictures that you find on the web. If you are interested in submitting an image for the gallery, please contact us at namikazetoys@gmail.com.

For now, enjoy the first few gallery entries from a friend of ours. You can see more of his layouts on his own blog at http://thomastrainworld.blogspot.com

We're Back with some RARE finds....

2009-01-04T13:20:00.049-10:00

Hope everyone had a merry holiday season! We've just returned from our own vacation and found a few new items to feature in our store: http://namikazetoys.com

We'd like to thank a PLARAIL fan for sending in some photos on Christmas to share on our website :), check them out when you get a chance: http://namikazetoys.com/creations.html

onto our new featured items....

Hanging Monorail Extension Set

6 R-01 (straight rails used in vertical positioning)
8 MR-01 (inner curved rail for hanging monorail)
14 MJ-01 (can be stacked with J-14 Yellow Bridge Legs)

Hanging Monorails (Construction Yellow and Emergency Red)

Japan does have hanging monorails, however, these are not based on any real life yellow or red monorails. The monorails debuted in 2002 and were originally manufactured in yellow, red, blue, silver, and black.

Each train is a 1 speed engine, with forward or reverse direction control switch. The on/off switch is in a difficult to access space on top the monorail, so a convenient gray 'pause' button is placed underneath for easier access when the monorail is in motion.

Hanging Monorail Support Legs

includes: 4 MJ-01 legs that can stack on J-14 yellow bridge legs

These support legs can use R-01 Straight Rails to create straight paths, but require special MR-01 Curved Rails to create a turning track. These items all debuted in 2002 and are no longer manufactured.

Pokemon Rayquaza Battle Coaster Set

The next two Pokemon sets are based off real amusement park rides. PokéPark was a Pokemon theme park in 2005 - 2006.

includes: 8 R-03, 2 R-06, 5 J-14, 2 PlaKids, 1 Rayquaza Pokemon Train, 1 Pokemon map

Pokemon Pichu Bros. Mischievous Train Set

includes: 4 R-01, 8 R-03, 2 PlaKids, 1 Pichu Bros Pokemon Train, 1 Pokemon map

PLARAIL Super Highway: Texas Style

2008-12-01T21:09:00.015-10:00

We recently came back from a visit to some family in Texas. Coming from Hawaii, we don't see very many sights like this. The highways just climb into the sky!

This is our PLARAIL version of this Texas super highway:

It took more J-14 yellow bridge legs and J-15 mini bridge legs than we anticipated and the layout doesn't actually go anywhere... but building the highway was fun anyway :D.

If you have real life inspired PLARAIL designs, send them in to namikazetoys@gmail.com and we can share them with other PLARAIL fans.

Namikaze Toy Store On Vacation

2008-11-23T10:44:00.005-10:00

Hello PLARAIL Fans!

We thank you for your visits, questions, and comments to our blog, website, and even eBay. We will be taking some vacation time which will affect our ability to ship out PLARAIL this holiday season. If you can, place your orders before December 10th and we'll ship out everything that comes in before then. Otherwise all orders will be shipped upon our return January 4, 2009.

We hope to bring you more selection as we search for more PLARAIL on our trip.

Mahalo,
namikaze toys
http://namikazetoys.com

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, November and December 2008

2008-11-19T20:38:00.025-10:00

Tomica and Plarail Town Set

This set combines Tomica's Town scene with the familiar blue PLARAIL train tracks. The set includes a Hokkaido train car, Tomica Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, and a PLA-Kid racer figure. The train takes 1 - AA battery. Other PLARAIL pieces include: J-13 City Train Station (2nd level with light blue parts), J-14 bridge legs, J-15 mini bridge leg, J-06 double length slopes, R-03 inner curve rail, R-01 straight rails, R-18 A&B climbing curved rails, and R-20 quarter length rails.

West JR Shinkansen - Fresh Green 0 Farewell Set

JR Series 0 Sanyo Shinkansen Bullet Train "Fresh Green Color" set to commemorate its retirement. There are 6-car trains and includes 4 segments of an elevated rail group for display purposes. The train requires 1-AA battery, and more elevated rail to create a functional route.
Shinkansen Mega Trailer

A bullet train transport trailer! This set comes with one PLA-kid train engineer. This mega transporter uses 1-AAA battery to power the lights. It has a manual arm crane to lift and place any 3-car train into the bed of the trailer. However, the Shinkansen shown in the picture is not included.

8000 Keihan Train S-59 (express)

It's cool, it's red and cream colored, JAM ON! This train has 2-speeds and requires 1 AA battery. 京阪 (Keihan) comes from the characters 京都 (Kyoto) and 大阪 (Osaka). The Keihan Densha runs between Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga prefectures. The 8000 series was introduced to the Keihan line in 1989.

Hyper Guardian Series - HGS-03 Fire-Liner

A new addition to the Hyper Guardian Series - Disaster and rescue vehicles. This set comes with one PLA-kid fire fighter and requires 1-AA. The last car can be expanded up into a bucket ladder. Tomy has yet to announce another 2 more Hyper Guardian Series trains.

New Designs: 'Transform Train Garage'

2008-11-19T18:14:00.020-10:00

Okay, before you say, "Whaaa?" It's a direct translation for 車庫に変身(shako ni henshin). Our newest layout incorporates a 4-lane tunnel that moonlights as a train storage case when not in design use.

This unique layout contains four independent loops which fully utilize all four lanes of the train case. Trains are able to travel freely from loop to loop using a number of manual switches and splitters.

As an added bonus, the track takes advantage of the R-12 Figure-8 splitter, allowing the train to enter and exit the inner loops on the same rail. When all of the splitters are set in just the right position, a single train can traverse the entire course of the layout without any additional switching or interference.

6 x R-01 Straight Rails
2 x R-02 Half length Rails
16 x R-03 Inner Curve Rails
6 x R-04 Double Width Straight Rails
8 x R-05 Double Width Curved Rails
4 x R-11 Turn out Splitter Rails
2 x R-12 Figure 8 Splitter Rails
2 x R-13 Single to Double Point Splitter Rails
2 x R-24 N-shaped Splitter Rails
1 x Tunnel / Train Case "Shako ni Henshin"

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, October and November 2008

2008-10-22T20:32:00.021-10:00

S-45 Model 321 Commuter Train with Sound
The Model 321 West Japan Commuter Train will be making it's PLARAIL debut in October. It makes sounds when it moves. This train requires one C and two AAA batteries which are sold separately.

'Arigatou Yume no Chou Tokkyuu' Hikari Set
The iconic first generation Hikari bullet train known affectionately as the 'Yume no Chou Tokyuu' or 'Dream Express' makes its appearance in this special set which includes special track sections from the elevated rail group which was released earlier this year.

J-06 Elevated Overpass (for use with Tomica Town)
This elevated overpass is modeled after existing concrete designs and is the same length as the R-01 rail and the same height as the J-14 bridge legs. The undersection is designed especially to accomodate Takara Tomy's new Tomica Town line which further integrates the existing Plarail and Plaroad (Tomica) lines.

J-18 Railway Crossing (for use with Tomica Town)
This railway crossing combines both a roadway and railway in a compact scenery set equalling the length of a single R-02 half-length rail. Trains which pass over the crossing will trigger a chime which mimics the sound of an approaching train. This scenery piece is also for use with other Tomica Town items.

J-21 Large Railway Crossing (for use with Tomica Town)
This is a larger version of the J-18 Railway Crossing and includes four barriers which will lower as a train passes across the railway. This set piece is equal in length to a combined R-01 straight and R-02 half-length rail. This scenery piece is also for use with other Tomica Town items.

Hyper Guardian Series - Hyper Guardian Ex-Guiner
Tomy is finally releasing its Plarail Hyperguardian line starting with this mammoth Ex-Guiner. This large item measures nearly 70 centimeteres in length and requires a double-width track setup (R-04, R-05 and R-28) to move along a rail. Pla-kids can sit inside the large cockpit area and the mid-section of the forward car rotates in a 360 degree range of motion and serves as a transport section for smaller support vehicles and other Hyper Guardian trains. The rear car can seperate to hold emergency vehicles from the Hyper Guardian Tomica series. This package also includes an orange search vehicle and a single Pla-kids figure, Captain Hayate. More pictures and some ridiculously awesome video can be found here.

Hyper Guardian Series - HGS-01 Pat-Liner
Short for Patrol-Liner, the high speed HGS-01 makes its plarail debut. It includes working lights, a large cockpit for Pla-kids to sit, space to accomodate other vehicles from the Hyper Guardian Tomica series as well as a number of other gimmicks which include a blue search vehicle and a single Pla-kids figure, Officer Nozomi. More pictures and a video can be found here.

Hyper Guardian Series - HGS-02 Drill-Liner
The HGS-02 Drill-Liner is a Special Construction vehicle. Like the HGS-01, it comes with a number of gimmicks including working lights, a detachable third car which transforms into a backhoe-like vehicle with an elevated cab, a cockpit for a Pla-kid and a revolving front drill. Packaged with this train is a single Pla-kids figure, Officer Kodama. More pictures and a video can be found here.

Hyper Guardian Wide-Area Patrol Set
This set comes with the Hyper Guardian Series - HGS-01 Pat-Liner mentioned above. It's made up of a set of the newly released R-28 double width turn out rails and a set of R-04 and R-05s double with straight and turn rails. This double-width 'wide' layout is made specifically to accommodate the large Ex-Guiner and other Hyper Guardian engines.

New Designs: Auto Rail Switcher - Round2

2008-10-13T10:38:00.018-10:00

A NEW layout with R-16 auto rail switcher!! Our J-04 Double Length and Width blue iron bridge is flying high over the middle of the track. Again there are 3 loops being automatically controlled by the rail switcher so we added another train to the mix.

Featuring Taiwan High Speed Railraod and JR East's やまびこ(Yamabiko):

19x R-01 Straight Rails
2x R-02 Half length Rails
28x R-03 Inner Curve Rails
5x R-04 Double Width Straight
4x R-05 Double Width Curved
6x R-06 Double length Slope
1x R-11 Turn out Rail
1x R-13 Single to Double Splitter
1x R-16 Automatic Switch Rail
2x R-18 Climbing Curved Rail
1x J-04 Double Length Bridge
34x J-14 Bridge Legs
18x J-22 Double Width Bridge Legs

We realize these latest designs are on the larger sprawling side, so we'll get back to work on more compact designs next.

The Versatile J-04 Double Length Bridge

2008-10-11T23:44:00.012-10:00

We really wanted this iconic blue iron bridge piece in our PLARAIL toolbox, which required buying the Eki to Tsunagaru Ippai Rail Set (literally "Train station and Connect up lots of Rail Set"). Tomy's site has some great pictures for this set here. The bridge is double the length and almost double the height of the small red bridge in the background. This blue variety is structually the same as J-04, which comes in standard red.

These double length bridges can convert to be double width bridges as well. No extra pieces, just simple ingenious design that allows the bridge to span 2 lengths without a central support leg.

J-04's versatility can help you span those impossible gaps and diagonals. Expand your PLARAIL imagination with an iron bridge!

New Designs: Featuring the Automatic Switcher!

2008-10-11T13:27:00.015-10:00

Our new shipment included many items that we wanted in our own PLARAIL collection. This layout was built around incorporating R-16 3-way automatic switcher rail piece. The yellow knob at the bottom right allows you to switch between automatic and manual switching mode.

There are 3 loops that merge at the R-16 piece. We've turned the whitespace into a train yard and all the extra scenary we had. Here's the bird's eye of our newly designed layout:

Now a clip of a Tsubame Shinkansen making automatic rounds between 3 loops with the help of R-16:

Other pieces that helped to create this layout include:

6x R-06 Double length slopes
3x R-18 Climbing slope sets
1x R-16 Automatic 3 way switcher
1 Ippai Tsunago Rail Set (contains blue iron bridge)
3x R-13 Single to Double rail splitters
3x R-11 Turn out rail splitters
1x R-24 N-shape splitter
6x R-04 Double width straight rails
6x R-05 Double width turn rails
bunch of R-01 straight and R-03 curved rails

New Designs: The One Where We Spell Someone's Name

2008-08-16T13:21:00.008-10:00

A friend of ours used to come over to our house to get his fill of plastic trains every once in awhile. He recently moved to the mainland and since then has been asking for more pictures. We just moved into a new place ourselves, and one with carpet. Making new layouts on carpet hasn't been a great experience as the pieces are constantly fighting with you try to straighten them out. But, he's been a patient guy and a new design has been a long time coming.

Based on our logo, we designed the base layout. The difficult thing with spelling words out, is that you end up with a bunch of dead ends. It's not a real layout if you can't close it up and seal the deal.

Here's the after shot. The layout's been closed up, and the pathways tweaked a little bit to connect up. This one ended up being a lot larger than any of our previous layouts, using up all of our straight track. There's no way we could have built something this large at our old place.

Closing up the track also blurred some of letters together, but hopefully you can still read it.

Click HERE to see even more pictures and a video!

Hyper Guardian Series!

2008-07-28T21:53:00.003-10:00

Tomy has dropped another bomb on us this month with the teaser page for a new series of Plarail trains called the Hyper Guardian Series. The teaser page can be found here. Judging by the text and the images, it's a series of fictional search, salvage and rescue type trains based on the Tomica Hyper Series. The interesting part is that one of the trains looks to be far larger than most Plarail trains and spans across an entire R-04 double-width rail.

Naturally, utilizing Tomy's existing rail lineup, a train that wide would be limited to going in circles. With the news of the R-28 Double-width Turn-out Rail release for August, it looks like they're going to change that. Hopefully this will be the start of more creative trains and a more varied lineup for the double-width rails. We'll be posting updates as they are released!

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, August 2008

2008-07-28T21:43:00.004-10:00

R-28 Double-Width Turn-out Rail

Tomy decides to up the fancy this month by releasing a double-width version of the standard turn-out rail. This new piece is similar to the standard R-11 turn-out rail with the exception being that it serves as dual switch for two trains to divert simultaneously, continue forward or even cut across each others paths. Like the R-11 they can be flipped and used on both sides to divert traffic in either direction.

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, July 2008

2008-06-18T13:55:00.004-10:00

S-38 C56 Model 160 SL Kita-Biwako

In July, the SL Kita-Biwako makes its PLARAIL debut. During certain seasons, this train travels along a route in northern Shiga Prefecture , running an hour-long route between the cities of Maibara and Kinomoto. The SL stands for Steam Locomotive. Pictures of the actual train can be found here.

New Designs: The Olympics

2008-06-06T19:32:00.008-10:00

After staring at all our turns and slopes over the past few months, we decided to do something with an Olympics theme, and what better symbol than the five rings. After a few trials and errors (mostly errors) we came up with what we think is a pretty passable design. Because of the amount of bridge legs crossing over each other, we weren't able to overlap the lower two circles.

Still, it's better than what we originally had.

The final design includes the following sets:

2x R-18 Sloping Turn Rails
1x J-15 Mini Bridge Legs
8x J-14 Bridge Legs
9x R-03 Inner Turns
2x R-01 Straight Rails

New Designs: The Bell Pepper

2008-05-19T21:52:00.012-10:00

We're proud to present, the BELL PEPPER!!

Okay, so the name actually came after the creation below:

It is still a simple layout, allowing just one train at a time, like our previous "Peanut" design in April. The track goes from the first level to the third and loops over and through itself. As you can see the amount of pieces that make up this set will easily create all different kinds of track. Throw in some splitters and you can have TWO trains running simultaneously :).

This setup consists of the following packs of rail:

Two sets of elevating turn rails (R-18)
Two sets of straight rails (R-01)
Three sets of inner turn rails (R-03)
Four sets of bridge legs (J-14)
One C battery powered Narita Express train

You can find all these pieces and more at the Namikaze Toy Store. We promise to bring you more designs so stay tuned!

Plarail's role in bullet train engineer training

2008-05-16T20:39:00.004-10:00

Lovingly ripped from the Tomica & Plarail Catalogue

Pictured above; Bullet train engineers use a Plarail setup to simulate possible real-life emergencies and accidents and to plan how they would return both their train and its passengers to the station safely.

We are happy that the same Plarail that everyone plays with is also has a role in promoting and encouraging railway safety.

New Releases for May and June

2008-05-13T18:32:00.010-10:00

Osaka City Subway, Midosuji Line Model 23

Making its first appearance as a Plarail train, the Midosuji Subway line has run through the heart of Osaka City since 1933. This is another release in Takara Tomy's series of light-up trains. As usual, the front car houses the switch that turns the lights on. The rear car has holes on the roof and holes on the rear which allow light in and give it the appearance of rear facing lights.

Tokyo Metro, Fukutoshin Line Series 10000

The Fukutoshin is a further addition to Tomy's Plarail line of light-up trains. This line is a new line of the Tokyo Metro subway system scheduled to be opened in June of 2008 and will connect the three city centers of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ikebukuro.

The 10000 series is also packaged with the Tokyo Metro 7000 series as a separate set of two trains. The Tokyo Metro 7000 series runs along the Yurakucho subway line pictured above.

Subway Grand Station

Seemingly designed to be mated to Tomy's Dome Station, the Grand Station comes with a laundry list of features and accessories:

Subway Station Platform
Real Subway Station Lights and Sounds
Above-ground Plaroad street and rail area
Pla-kids
Functioning Elevator for Pla-kids

Together with other the Dome Station and other rail sections, you can create a truly EPIC setup.

Are we excited yet?

Plarail Store near Narita Airport opens

2008-04-30T23:53:00.010-10:00

Tomy announced on their website the grand opening of Toy Kingdom, beginning April 26. It is a large space in Chiba prefecture's Aeon Mall near Narita Airport. The space is divided into 4 themes: Tomica Shop satellite, Plarail Square, Licca Garden, and Pokemon Town (floorplan).

"Plarail Square" will be having their grand opening events between May 1 - 6 (just in time for Boys' Day)! Ahh, if we were anywhere near we'd go for a peek, guess we'll have to settle for it to be on the agenda the next time in Tokyo.

For those of you who won't be able to make it for Toy Kingdom's opening, come check out our Plarail selection at: namikazetoys.com

Yellow Girders in ITALY??

2008-04-30T22:52:00.012-10:00

I've been meaning to post these pictures for some time now. A couple of months ago we went on vacation to Italy. As we came out of the airport to catch a train into Rome we saw something that made us laugh a little bit and made us realize exactly how much we had Plarail on the brain. These are pictures are from the platform at Fiumicino Station in Rome.

Are those Yellow Bridge Legs!? J-14?!? J-22!!!

Rows and rows of double-width yellow bridge legs at Rome's Fiumicino station.

Anyone else out there with Plarail on the brain? E-mail us pictures with a description! We'll post them up here!

The Chat Widget is BorkEN!

2008-04-30T17:23:00.003-10:00

Some of you may notice the Digsby chat widget to the right stopped connecting. Some of you may scratch your heads and wonder what exactly I've been smoking. Well, the newest version of flash that was released about a week ago is the culprit here. If you've updated your Firefox, Internet Explorer, what have you to the newest version, the Widget will no longer connect. Sadly, it will remain this way until the fine folks at Digsby update their software.

If you need to contact us you have a couple options. The easiest option is to just email us at namikazetoys@gmail.com. Don't worry, we won't bite! The second way is to uninstall the latest version of flash and go back to the older version. For simplicity's sake it would probably be easier to just shoot us an email.

Until next time, keep on training!

And We're Open!

2008-04-17T23:29:00.005-10:00

It's been less than three months since we first got the idea in our heads to start importing and selling Japanese toys. To us, it felt like an eternity. Creating the concept, applying for the business, deciding on our products and talking to importers-- sometimes it felt like we were never going to get off the ground. Yet, a few months and a few gray hairs later, here we are. I am proud to formally announce that Namikaze Toys is now open for business and actively taking orders!

Our passion and our beginnings lie in Takara Tomy's wonderful Plarail toy train line and that's where we've decided to start our business. Plarail appeals to both young and old, is easy to setup and has stood the test of time being first introduced in 1959. We hope that you enjoy these products as much as we do and that you continue to stop by and see what else we have in store. We're just getting started!

Namikaze Toys
namikazetoys@gmail.com
http://www.namikazetoys.com
http://namikazetoys.blogspot.com

*edit* For those of you on Oahu, don't forget to head down to the Iolani School Fair and stop by and see our setup at the silent auction. The fair starts today, and the silent auction is being held in Seto Hall, just past the parking structure and before the baseball field. See you there!

Design Examples

2008-04-04T19:32:00.008-10:00

As I mentioned earlier today, we will be donating a number of rails to the 2008 Iolani Fair silent auction. The actual layout is shown below.

Behold, the PEANUT.

This setup consists of the following packs of rail:

Two sets of elevating turn rails (R-18)
Three sets of bridge legs (J-14)
Four sets of inner turn rails (R-03)
One battery powered train which just so happens to have Iolani colors.

All sets will be unopened, so while we are displaying this setup as an example, the winner of the bid is free to build any layout he or she pleases.

Drowning in Plarail

2008-04-04T08:33:00.004-10:00

Hi Folks!

Our first of hopefully many shipments to come just arrived yesterday afternoon and we are ecstatic. The last time we've seen so much Plarail all at once was-- actually, I can't even remember! We're drowning in the stuff now, with TOMY boxes full of Plarail piled high!

Of course, we had to "sample" a few for ourselves to verify quality and I can safely say, the stuff is EXCELLENT. We can't wait to get this stuff moving and into your hands. The store web page is coming along nicely and we hope to have most functionality up within a couple weeks. In the meantime, we're also looking at the possibility of selling on EBAY to get our name out there and spread the fun around to everyone who loves Plarail as much as we do.

One more thing of note-- we will be donating a preconfigured set to the silent auction at the 2008 Iolani School Fair on April 18 and 19. We'll have pictures of the layout that we're donating and it will contain multiple unopened packs of rail as well as a single battery powered train. Stay Tuned!

Namikaze Toys Staff

Opening Soon!

2008-03-20T12:09:00.006-10:00

Hey folks! Hopefully our store will be opening soon and we'll have some actual stock to show you. We'll be sticking to PLARAIL for now, but may add more popular items as time goes by. Until then we'll keep you posted on new releases from Tomy here at our blog. Not all the new releases you see posted will be kept in stock, but we will try to deliver as many high quality products as possible.

We'll also try to add more personal content-- showing layouts, possible modifications and some other tips and tricks to help you create the perfect PLARAIL layout.

Fans of PLARAIL and trains in general, feel free to leave a comment and stop by often!

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, March 2008

2008-02-11T12:32:00.001-10:00

Nagoya City Subway, Higashi-Yama Line Model N1000
- ライト付名古屋市営地下鉄東山線N1000形

The Higashi-Yama Line of the Nagoya City Subway will be putting a new train into service starting March of 2008. This new train will receive a simultaneous plarail debut, complete with real headlamps that light up when the train is turned on. The rear car will have a set of holes on the roof which allow light to pass through and shine through another set of holes on the back of the car, giving off the appearance of rear tail lamps.

Tokyo Subway Marunouchi Line Double Set
- 地下鉄丸ノ内線ダブルセット

This double set features the the model 500 which entered service in 1957 as well as the currently used 02 series. Like the Nagoya Higashi Yama train featured above, both trains come with real illuminating headlamps as well as the same set of holes in the rear car that will give the appearance of rear tail lamps.

Fastech 360S Rail Set
- ファステック360S立体レールセット

The Cat Ears have finally made their Plarail debut! The Fastech 360S is East Japan Railway's Next Generation High-Speed testbed. It has been popularly referred to as the Nekomimi or Cat Ears due to the unique forward profile when deploying its special air brakes. The Fastech set also comes with its signature Arrow-Line and Stream-Line cars at each end. Both include levers which deploy the air brakes. Also, with a unique design of having the engine housed in the central car rather than the end car, you can have the train utilize either the Arrow or Stream-Line car as the front car.

Fastech 360S Cat Ear Air Brakes

Tomy PLARAIL - New Releases, January 2008

2008-02-05T11:34:00.012-10:00

JR Snow Country Special Set - JR雪国列車スペシャルセット

A selection of three trains from the JR Hokkaido-East Japan railway service. Pictured above from top left to bottom right; the (1)Kiha 183 Series Ozora, (2)485 Series Number 3000 Hakucho, and the (3)Kiha 40 Kitsune, Kani and Ika.
※ Batteries sold seperately.
※ Rail sold seperately.

J-26 Subway Station - 地下の駅

The subway station comes complete with a small lever which allows the person to stop and start the train as it passes through the station. The station also comes with the usual connectors as well as small pegs on top which allows for more elaborate layering setups with the new R-25 subway section.

R-25 Subway Straight Rail - 地下直線レール

A straight rail for creating your own miniature subway system. As with the J-26 Subway Station piece, it comes with the standard connectors as well as pegs to create a layered subway system.

R-26 Elevated Straight Rail - 高架直線レール

This item contains two gray bridge piers and two gray straight rails. The length of the straight rails are the same as the standard R-01 blue straight rails.

R-27 Elevated Turn Rail - 高架曲線レール

Made in the same style as the R-26 Elevated Straight Rail, it comes with two gray bridge piers and two gray quarter turn rails. The turn rails are the same length and shape as the standard R-03 blue turn rails.

波風 NAMIKAZE Toys