Earlier this spring, Takara Tomy teased about the upcoming “Plarail Real Class”, a new type of Plarail targeted towards adults.
Hobby Japan recently interviewed Plarail Real Class developer Iwata, who said about why they are releasing Plarail Real Class saying, “In response to the declining birthrate and aging population, we have been trying to launch something for adults as a new approach, and we have been trying to challenge it for a long time. It started back in 2019”.
So, there was a lot of thought in the process of releasing the product and two Plarail Real Class were released in July 2023, the 185 Series 185 Limited Express Train (Odoriko) and the Odakyu Romance Car 3100 NSE. And the reason for these two being chosen, Iwata said, “The 185 series debuted in 1981, and around 2019, when we were considering the lineup, there was no talk of retirement from regular service, and it was active on the Limited Express Odoriko and the Shonan Liner. I chose it as a limited express train. Type 3100 is a private railway limited express Romancecar, which debuted in 1963, the year before the Tokyo Olympics. This is the first Romancecar in the history of Odakyu Electric Railway to implement an observation deck, and is representative of private railway limited express trains. Since it is a vehicle that can be used, we have added it to the lineup”.
I have to admit that while I own many Plarail, I was excited but also waiting. Waiting to see if the tracks would be released for the new Plarail Real Class. While you can use the classic blue tracks, Plarail Real Class was introducing three straight gray rails with a new design to look like railroad tracks. I love that! But at this current time, as of August 2023, the tracks are only available on the Takara Tomy shopping site. Which is unfortunate and I hope Takara Tomy would sell them on Amazon Japan. But for now, you can connect your blue tracks to the Plarail Real Class gray railroad tracks.
But I do like the choice of selecting the 185 Limited Express Train (which is an electric multiple unit train type and the last limited express train manufactured by JNR before transferring to JR East) because it’s a classic JR East train which people in Tokyo were used to seeing in the ’80s (diagonal striped was the 185-0 series used in south-west Tokyo and the horizontal striped 185-200’s were used in north Tokyo).
It’s important to note that at the summer of 1982, a horizontal stripe 185 was known as the “Shinkansen Relay” train and Takara Tomy will be releasing the Natsukashi Shinkansen Relay N Gauge version on January 2024.
But unfortunately, JR East announced that all 185 series sets would end on March 12, 2021 and would be scrapped by 2022. But for the most part, this train had a good life.
So, as of 2023, that “Odoriko” name is now designated to the E-257-2000 series with its long blue stripe. Thus the release for the Plarail Real Class version makes the distinction of “(Odoriko/Green Stripe)”.
So, on to my review for the PLARAIL REAL CLASS – Series 185 Limited Express Train (Odoriko/Green Stripe).
The first thing you will noticed that Plarail Real Class comes in a book size, similar to the binder style covers of N Gauge releases. And inside are two sets of roofs. You get the roofs showcasing the coolers, but engineers probably realized that for collectors who own structures, with the coolers on top (as Plarail Real Class are slightly wider and taller), if it was to go under tunnels, they would need to use the more flat side roofing without coolers.
For me, I don’t think I want to run Plarail Real Class with Plarail tunnels, as I feel the coolers with the detail are much to my liking.
As mentioned, the tracks can connect to standard Plarail tracks, the front car does come with the rubber track wheels like standard Plarail, while coupler hooks have changed and because this is designed for adults, they look cooler but I can see children snapping and breaking these. And while standard Plarail couplers can be purchased, not sure if replacement gray couplers will be available for public purchase on other online shops.
The pantograph is a nice touch, but it’s limited on how high it can go up. But I do understand it. Even for N Gauge trains, the pantograph is the part that would most likely break and while it’s thicker, probably keeping the pantograph height at a lower level was a choice they had to consider. Especially for tunnel considerations.
One of the distinctive features of the 185-0 is the Odoriko plate (right in the direct front) and it’s well-produced on this Plarail Real Advance 185. The detail of the windshield wipers, the center emblem, the light areas, the green car emblemn, it’s really well-detailed.
But I do love the detail that went towards the molding especially towards the bottom, the door areas and more. Now of course, you can’t have things exact at 100%. For one, the actual front car has seven windows, but because the 185 had to be shrunken down as a Plarail, there are three. But I’m not complaining, I still think it looks very cool and if you want more realistic features, spend a bit more and get an N Gauge version.
In fact, Hobby Watch did ask Iwata-san about it and he said, ” I was worried about that. I had no choice but to deform it, so I had a hard time with the balance of the diagonal stripes, the balance of the windows, and other parts that had to be done as a Plarail. I also paid attention to the modeling parts. Cooler, pantograph. In the front molding, the express emblem, clear parts are added, the wiper is dug, the typhoon (horn) cover, and the jumper wire are also expressed. The mold that cannot be put in a normal Plarail is also realistically included. On the other hand, we intentionally omitted parts that would be difficult to paint in mass production”.
And as a Plarail, it will run on AA batteries (not included) or it can be hand rolled.
One of the reasons why I wanted to try out the Plarail Real Class is to answer questions of whether or not it is worth it?
For the most part, I do feel “yes” and while there was announcement that are more coming, the question is how many more? As Takara Tomy had abandoned their previous “Plarail Advance”, will they abandon this?
But I will be perfectly honest, I love it. But there are issues that I have with the lack of making things available for the public for purchase. For example, while they come with three gray tracks, I don’t want to connect any Plarail blue tracks to it. And why not make the extra curve or straight rail tracks available for public purchase or even a set on release?
While both releases are very awesome, Takara Tomy should have released extra tracks set to purchase along with these two sets and not just limit track purchases on their Takara Tomy Mall. And this goes with couplers as well, as I worry that these might snap.
Second, I do feel the Y4000-5200 price point is more acceptable price wise versus its retail price Y7700. Because seriously, many people say if they are going to spend Y7700, they are going to get spend a bit more and get an N Gauge train.
But with the state of rising costs in today’s Japan and its economic woes, I can understand why the higher price point, but then again, Amazon Japan gives consumers the discount at Y4800-Y5200 (currently about Y5227 and with the dollar to yen ratio, that is $36.07), so you can still purchase it affordably.
But perhaps Takara Tomy may consider interior LED lighting or LED lights for the front and rear. Something to generate interest. Lighting can be done, as they have done it for other normal Plarail releases.
But I really do want the PLARAIL REAL CLASS to succeed but the higher price and the lack of easy track accessibility may deter train fans worldwide from purchasing it. But I would like for people to approach it with an open mind because Plarail Real Class is very awesome! The production, even with its shrunken form, it still looks so good!
And if you plan to buy this as a gift for a child and they already own blue plastic rail tracks, Plarail Real Class will work on it. If they own overhead Plarail structures, they’ll just need to switch out the top roof with a lower form than higher.
With that being said, I really do like the PLARAIL REAL CLASS – Series 185 Limited Express Train (Odoriko/Green Stripe) and I do recommend it!
