Kevin: Ahhh...you have discovered my secret, this is not a track train but is in fact a floor toy that is friction powered, meaning you push it along the floor to sort of wind up the motor and then let it go and it zooms across the floor under its own power. However it is actually O gauge and the wheels do fit (more or less) the track which is why I put it there for the FEF picture.
The toy was purchased new at a small "mom and pop" toy store in Okinawa, Japan in 1987 when I visited our AF base there. It was brand new in the box so I would assume its date of manufacture was not too far off of the purchase date. Shopping in this rather small and rural like town was an interesting experience. The proprietors (yes "mom and pop") could not have been more wonderful and friendly (although neither spoke much English). When I made clear I wanted to buy toys for my two sons they were very pleased and friendly and went to great extent to show me their merchandise and demonstrate how the various toys worked. After I made my selections, the toys were carefully wrapped in decorative paper (like Christmas presents) for me to take home. For us Walmart trained folks, that shopping experience was quite unique and really very pleasant.
Don McErlean
