TOMY revolutionises train play with all-new track system engineered for stability and sturdy connections, enabling budding engineers to build as high as the sky!
London, 15th October 2012 (Virtual Press Office): TOMY and Ludorum plc announce the UK and European launch of the Chuggington Stack Track system – an innovative addition to the Chuggington Die-Cast Railway. The brand new range will appear on shelf in the UK and Europe from 2013.
The new Chuggington Stack Track system has already been successfully launched into the US market after hitting the shelves of leading US retailers in August 2012 backed by a major television advertising campaign.
This pioneering new product features a revolutionary track system that lets toy train enthusiasts stack their track as high as the sky! For the first time ever, budding engineers can build spiraling track layouts with this ingenious track system, engineered for stability and durability, enabling elevated layouts like never before. In addition, every action-packed playset in the Chuggington Die-Cast Railway can be built multiple ways, encouraging young imaginations to create, construct and play.
Based on Ludorum's popular animated series and inspired by Chuggington's modern characters and fast-paced adventures, TOMY's Chuggington Die-Cast Railway allows fans to combine both train and construction play patterns for a whole new play experience. Easy to connect and simple enough for preschoolers to build on their own, the new Chuggington Stack Track system, which features collectable engines, track packs and play sets is a durable and sturdy solution for adding elevation to train sets and creating amazing action.
Mark Ashurst, Senior Marketing Manager – Trainplay & Boys Toys, TOMY Europe commented: "We are delighted to be launching a brand new series of die-cast Chuggington playsets incorporating the Stack Track system into the European market. Chuggington's bold, adventurous and iconic characters lend themselves perfectly to creative train play and these new sets will fire the imaginations of Chuggington fans everywhere."
Katie Rollings, Ludorum added: "Once again the team at TOMY have come up with an innovative group of playsets which offer enhanced play value for pre-schoolers. The new die-cast track system perfectly complements the successful core range of existing die-cast products from TOMY which have been hugely popular internationally with individual engine sales topping 20 million units worldwide since launch."
Chuggington Stack Track will launch in the UK and Europe throughout spring/summer 2013. TOMY will be supporting launches in all major territories with national television advertising and in-store promotion. Chuggington fans can visit www.stackyourtrack.com for more information on the Chuggington Stack Track, including 3D viewing, videos and an introduction from TOMY's Stack Track designer.
Chuggington™ Die-Cast Track System Launch Items include:
Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Koko's Old Town Tour Playset: Inspired by the episode Old Puffer Pete's Tour this action packed beginner's set features Koko. Enter Old Town through the gate and go up the hill and over the turntable. Go under the clock tower and down the hill, but lookout for the dead end. Oh no, Koko is trapped in Old Town! The turntable will save her! Use the turn table to turn around and crash through the gate to escape!
Chuggington Die-Cast Wilson & the Wild Storm Maker Playset: The awesome new track design featured in this play set allows little conductors to build a spiral more than 2 feet tall! Pull the lever when Wilson enters the storm machine to activate storm sounds and to launch Wilson. Wilson shoots down the 360 degree spiral, past the spinning sign, past the popping cones, and onto the turntable, where he whips around with a double 360 degree turn! Set can create four different track layouts. Ages: 3 and up.
Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Stunt Brewster Playset: Inspired by the episode 'Stunt Brewster,' this action packed starter set features Brewster as he flies down the hill, crashes through the lights, soars over the jump, and rides through the tunnel. The track can also be transformed into a traditional oval layout. A great starter set!
Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Koko's Icy Escapade Playset: Inspired by the episode 'Wilson's Icy Escapade' this Action play set features Koko and the Ice Cave. Koko has to be careful going across the rickety bridge with the ice cargo. Pick up the ice in the cargo car, crash through the ice gates, and deliver the cargo to the top. Set can create three different layouts.
Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Repair & Go Wilson Playset:Featuring the iconic repair station, this starter-set also includes Wilson and a rough patch of road ready for repair! After Wilson travels over the rough road his wobbly wheels need to be mended. Wilson is off to the repair station where his wheels can be fixed…
Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Koko's Safari Adventure Playset: Koko visits the safari park! Koko enters the safari park and goes up the ramp to collect the bananas. Koko continues her way to the monkeys where they enjoy the bananas before she zooms down the hill and leaves the safari park for the day.
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For further information please contact Liz Morris, Publicist on 0797 112 9035 / lizmorrispr@hotmail.co.uk
About Chuggington™
Chuggington is a contemporary, action based, energetic and vibrant CGI series for children aged 2 – 5 years. The series follows the adventures of three young trainees - Wilson and his friends Brewster and Koko – as they ride the rails and take on exciting challenges that test their courage, speed and determination. Along the way, and with help and support from a strong community of engines and people, they learn positive values and new skills empowering them to become the best trainees they can be. Further information is available at www.chuggington.com
About TOMY International
TOMY International (www.tomy.com) is a leading global designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys sold to preschoolers, youths and adults under the TOMY®, Ertl®, Johnny Lightning® and Tomica® brands as well as products for mothers, infants and toddlers marketed under its The First Years®, Lamaze, JJ Cole® Collections and Boon® brands. TOMY International also markets its products under popular and classic licensed properties such as Chuggington, Dinosaur Train, John Deere, Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Cars, Fairies and Toy Story, and other well-known properties. TOMY International's mission is to inspire and fulfill the dreams of children and parents worldwide. TOMY International reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. TOMY International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code No. 7867). © TOMY
About Ludorum plc
Ludorum is a specialist in developing, building, acquiring and marketing global intellectual entertainment properties. Its first global pre-school property is Chuggington™. Ludorum was co-founded and is managed by Rob Lawes (CEO) and formerly CEO of HIT Entertainment PLC which managed a strong portfolio of children's properties including Bob the Builder™, Barney™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™ and Guinness World Records®, and by Dick Rothkopf (Chairman) and the co-founder and former CEO of Learning Curve, International, the company that held toy licenses for Thomas & Friends and other preschool properties. For more information about Ludorum please visit: www.ludorum.com