The Everything Thomas Topic

[TrainFan97]

My posts about the reboot got removed. Guess I was being a little too hard on it, and badmouthing the reboot too much wouldn't make Bachmann look good. I also have to refrain from throwing any shade at Mattel for the same reason.

To give some credit, it's the first time since Season 2 that we see orange branch line coaches that aren't Annie and Clarabel.

[TrainFan97]

So the stream was actually earlier in the day. No new samples were shown, but hopefully, more exciting new samples will be shown in the final stream of the year next month. Fingers crossed one of them is the full painted sample of N Scale Henry. For now, they only had his tender shown. Another possibility for next month is the full unpainted sample of HO Scale Flying Scotsman. They've also been figuring out what to announce in the 2027 catalog. Catalog announcements are typically repaints, while mid-year announcements include new toolings. This may be different. One thing that was confirmed is announcements for all scales.

Anyway, what the stream did show were packaged samples of the HO Scale CGI fuel tanker and NW brake van, as well as the N Scale Mr. Jolly van and blue wagon. The latter two I don't think were already shown before. Still no packaged samples of N Scale Diesel, Paxton, LBSC Thomas or Origin James yet, but those could be shown next month. Same for packaged samples of HO Scale Sidney and Mainland Diesel.

Next month's stream should be much more exciting to wrap up the year.

[travel_is_fun]

The image for n scale Mr Jolly's box van was unveiled a few weeks ago on the bachmann webpage. This is the first time seeing the blue open wagon in full. Was hoping for n scale Henry after they teased his tender a few weeks ago, guess that wasn't the case this time. Surely they have to generate excitement before going into 2027.

I'm assuming they haven't started shipping Paxton, Diesel, LBSC Thomas and Origin James which could be why they haven't been shown in packaged samples yet. With so much of the previous announcements releasing over the next 6-9 months, they have to include much needed additions to keep up with the growth of all 3 scale. Edward is an engine that people can agree has been long overdue in n scale and next year must be his time, definitely Duck too (if two engine announcements, 1 in winter and the other in summer).

When Matt mentioned the 2027 catalog, the patterns of announcements have not been consistent in recent years. There has not been much new tooling announcements besides HO. From one catch up year to another, they ought to make the announcements more appealing since large and n scale have been somewhat dry.

[DustyMarie53!]

On yesterday's stream Matt said that we can expect an announcement in he thinks every scale which is exciting. But he also did say that winter catalogs will mostly be livery announcements for existing products while new tooling is saved for the summer. On one hand this is respectful, on the other with the fact we have five products for n scale engines still in the pipeline I do think it's safe to say we won't see our next N scale engine until the summer. Now, Matt did also allude to a potential new tooling still being announced anyway, but I feel like that may end up in either the narrow gauge or G scale line which are a lot less weighed down by the present pipeline. I'd welcome being wrong though, I know a lot of friends who really are excited to see what is next for Bachmann N scale Thomas.

[TrainFan97]

If the 2027 catalog does announce a new engine for N Scale, it will most likely be a repaint like Busy Bee James, or 'Arry and Bert. I'd love to be wrong if it is indeed a new tooling like Edward, Spencer or Duck. Maybe use of an existing chassis like Mavis or Stanley. If Bill and Ben were to be possible for N Scale, they'd most likely use a modified version of Percy's chassis.

N Scale rolling stock repaints that would be welcome are the logoless green coal wagon and gray van.

The 2027 catalog announcements will be revealed at the end of January. They haven't been finalized yet.