The Tyco Transformers Electric Train and Battle Set is a themed model railway set, a collaboration between two of the largest toy companies of the 80s, Tyco Industries and Hasbro who owned the Transformers franchise. Manufactured by Tyco, it was released in the US, UK, and many other countries worldwide in 1985.
History and Context
Beginning in 1980 as a Takara Tomy toy line called Microchange and Diaclone, these transforming vehicle toys gained the attention of Hasbro, and in 1984 they were purchased from Tomy by Hasbro who would work with Tomy to produce the new Transformers figures, and Marvel Comics to create the backstory and animated series together with Sunbow Productions.
Upon its television debut in 1984 the franchise quickly became a cultural phenomenon, a series enjoyed by both children and adults alike. It followed the adventures of sentient robots, principally the good guy Autobots and the bad guy Decepticons who were fighting an endless battle for control of the universe.
The Hasbro toy line was released in conjunction with the series in 1984, they continue to be produced today, almost 40 years later, together with various other cartoons, Hollywood films, videogames, and more.
At the time the Transformers train set was introduced, Tyco was already a household name when it came to slot cars and model train sets, and was beginning to branch out into other areas. To have two of the largest toy makers of the era team up to create such a mega-toy would have seemed like toy heaven for any enthusiast at the time, sometime that seems like it would never happen today, yet it did happen in the 80s when Tyco was so synonymous with high quality model railway sets.
Features
The Transformers train set consists of a 1.07M by 1.37M (3.51 feet by 4.50 feet) oval track layout, with a 4-piece transforming train and various decorations to set the scene for battle.
- Caboose undergoes a major transformation into the Hawkfighter (see photo in gallery)
- Coal carriage top flips revealing a giant laser cannon
- Train carriage transforms into a weapons center / base
- Train engine has no major transformation but has a satellite dish and flip-out reveal panels
- Four buildings made of cardboard that form a large Powerstation, the centrepiece of the set
- Action mat which is a large photograph of a perfectly modelled scene shot from the top down, instantly providing a professional look and environment for adventures to take place
- Plus dozens of Autobots and Decepticon models as the core army, however it’s been observed that these are not in fact actual Transformers robots, but a mix of other models that Tyco or perhaps Takata has found from other Japanese toy series
Television Commercial
As with all great Tyco products, a well produced TV commercial was made to ensure its success.
Original pre-restoration source was: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp9I–mqbAI
It is mentioned on TFWiki.net that the several dozen AutoBot and Decepticon models are actually just other random robot figures swiped from various other Japanese series, perhaps as a result of Tyco struggling financially at the time of the release. See the History of Tyco to understand why they may have been low on cash during the early-mid 80s, and what they would do to begin The Golden Age of Tyco.
Resources for more information
As always, the best information source for everything transformers is the Transformers Wiki Tfwiki.net which has a detailed article on this item: https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Electric_Train_and_Battle_Set
Additionally while researching the Transformers Media Archive here: https://www.tfraw.com where I sourced the original TV commercial, before the AI restoration.
Availability and Collectability
If you’re looking for a mint condition Tyco Transformers Electric Train and Battle Set then you might be looking for some time. Set a Saved Search on eBay, and join relevant communities on Facebook, letting them know what you’re looking for. You may also post in our Buy/Sell Forum.
In the last 12 months I cannot see any complete set in mint condition that sold, however at the time of writing one did pop up with 7 days remaining on the auction, with a starting price of $127 USD.
Average condition incomplete sets are much easier to pick up, and the various individual parts needed to complete your set seem to be available in general.
As for whether or not it’s collectable – I can’t think of a more collectable train set produced by Tyco myself, the combination of two giants in Tyco HO Scale and Hasbro’s Transformers makes for a once-in-a-lifetime piece that’s quintessential 80s toy and cartoon culture.
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