Splatter and Dodge, or Fernando?

[TrainFan97]

With Sidney and Mainland Diesel hitting store shelves in early 2027, and considering I've brought up these potential Class 08 repaints several times in the predictions thread, I thought it was time I give them their own dedicated thread specifically for discussing them, where we can keep discussions for the next potential Class 08 repaints in HO Scale, and possibly the last.

Which Class 08 repaint will Bachmann make next for HO Scale? Splatter and Dodge, or Fernando? Splatter and Dodge because we're getting Diesel 10, and they'd be the perfect models to compliment him, and we can have his two bumbling minions. Fernando because he was actually in the CGI series, and this would be his first ever piece of merchandise. Personally, I think Splatter and Dodge would sell a lot better, due to their nostalgia value, their association with Diesel 10, and appealing to model series fans. Fernando may be the weakest seller of the Class 08s, and possibly more-so than 'Arry and Bert. He may be from the CGI series, but didn't really leave that strong of an impression like Mainland Diesel did in Journey Beyond Sodor.

What do you guys think should be the next Class 08 repaint?

[TEHNewClearwaterFeatures]

Splodge is the logical choice in Class 08s.

[Cheeky_ULP]

I feel like just because a character appears in CGI, it shouldn't mean they get automatic priority over characters who haven't. Fernando is a prime example of a character Bachmann -could- make, but it begs the question of who the market is. He doesn't have any sort of cult following within the fandom like Paxton, Sidney, or the Mainland Diesel did, which is a common trend among characters introduced in the BWBA era; the era as a whole largely failed to make a cultural impact on Thomas fans both young and old.

Adding to that, Fernando would be "alone" in terms of merchandise; if a Thomas fan hasn't made their own custom Raul or Gabriela, there wouldn't be much incentive to purchase a Fernando, which just goes back to the previous point; not a lot of people made customs of BWBA era characters because they didn't have the same charm as the CGI characters before them.

To put it simple; if Bachmann made Fernando, I think they would be fishing for a market that doesn't exist, and that would be a waste of their time, resources, and money.

On the other hand, Splatter and Dodge I am very confident would fly off the shelves. If a Thomas fan knows who Diesel 10 is and buys the Bachmann model of him, they 100% know who Splatter and Dodge are, and will consequently want to purchase them as well. Splatter and Dodge are the perfect upsells to Diesel 10.

[RailsByRick]

Splatter and Dodge is definitely the way to go if we were to get more 08 repaints. It makes sense from a business perspective not only because they would compliment Diesel 10, but also because it's two repaints from one tooling that are almost guaranteed to be purchased as a pair at the same time. I know I certainly would.

[TrainFan97]

Bachmann inevitably will make Fernando in HO Scale at some point, solely for the fact that his tooling exists, but he should not be prioritized over Splatter and Dodge just because he's the one from the CGI series. Busy Bee James is proof that Bachmann can do engine repaints based on the model series. Mattel never outright forces Bachmann to stick with CGI models.

With Diesel 10, fans would absolutely purchase Splatter and Dodge in a heartbeat, since they're the characters most associated with him. Even though they're model series repaints, they MUST be prioritized over Fernando. Splatter and Dodge would be a much better-received announcement than Fernando. They would use the 'Arry and Bert tooling, since that doesn't have the stepladders, and their siderods would be blackened metal.

Stepney had been ignored for many years since he hasn't appeared since Season 12, but the difference is that he would require a new tooling, while the tooling already exists for Splatter and Dodge, so it's a much better investment for Bachmann. Much easier to just repaint the tooling and put a new face on it. Fernando's sales would be rather minimal compared to the sales of Splatter and Dodge. Hope Bachmann knows this and will consider announcing Splatter and Dodge in the near future, possibly the 2027 catalog, so the boss can have his two bumbling minions join him. They're going to sell like crazy. Most people who know Diesel 10 know Splatter and Dodge. Easy money is right there for Splodge, especially since people will be buying two engines at once. They must be the next pair of Class 08 shunters to join HO Scale after Sidney and Mainland Diesel. Fingers crossed Fernando doesn't get chosen over them. Bachmann wouldn't want to pass up a chance for easy money.

Many of us had given up hope for characters like Stepney and BoCo. Then again, both characters require new toolings. Diesel 10 is only the second time we're getting a diesel that isn't a shunter. First time was Daisy. With how many customs of Splatter and Dodge people have made, it's proof of how popular they are, and how easy they can be made from an existing tooling. Hope the dream that Bachmann Splatter and Dodge becomes a reality isn't too far off.

[Zorran202]

It's a given that now that we got Diesel 10 cooking, it would be interesting to see Splatter and Dodge be introduced into the range. The only thing is that they COULD'VE made it into the CGI series, but got the shaft twice unfortunately... However, if Bachmann were willing to create Busy Bee James, Spiteful Brakevan, D-Fusit gunpowder vans, and the China Clay Wagons/Ffarquhar wagons, there's a chance we can see them being made, though assuming they'd be fine with making very niche characters that haven't appeared in over 26 years...

Fernando on the other hand: the only way I can see them greenlighting him is if they make the other Mainland Diesel #2 based off of him too because he too shares a same, if not similar, facial build plus the hazard stripes, so that's something. Heck, the only BWBA era characters currently made is Beau, Rebecca, and the Troublesome Truck #6 (purple tanker from Kenya, Africa), so chances are there, but I agree they definitely should not be made yet if there's other surprises that we can look forward to later on... nothing is impossible these days...