Like the Scottish Twins, Bachmann are sitting on another big gold mine here; Boco would sell incredibly well. He'd also, as mentioned, make a nice change to the smaller diesels we currently have.

One issue that would arise with the mode is the moving eye mechanism. All of the other models have cog leading directly to the motor to operate it but are always in line with it. The driving motor for Boco would have to suitin one of his bogeys, which meant as that turns for corners, so would the motor. The moving eyes would either have to be omitted or put on a desperate motor, which could affect the cost.
I'm sure something could be worked out but the moving eyes would certainly prove trouble to include.

From an interview somewhere that I read, their models never made it back from the US after the filming of TATMR (correct me if I'm wrong anyone!) I suppose that a proper use for them was never seen thus they didn't make new models.

Quote from: ModelTrainFan538 on July 14, 2013, 02:35:03 AM
I will admit that I'm very surprised that he was released around July as opposed to September/October like most models in the range. 

Bear in mind he was announced last year, so is actually late for last year's slot..... I think Bill and Ben had the same issue?
Arry and Bert will most likely take this year's autumnal slot.

Quote
And of course only in a matter of time, I'm sure Bachmann will get more requests from fans to do more classics following Duck like Oliver, Stepney, and BoCo.

I think they've been having plenty of those already! But In all fairness here's hoping some from that list will follow in future years...

Words cannot describe....

For those who are so anxious to see Henry's Hero...

http://youtu.be/6CAGiDAH_aU?a

(Skip to 1:08 for a talking Duck.)

Quote from: BassTbone on May 30, 2013, 12:44:38 PM
Harvey is made by Bandai.  He looks to be perfect size for HO/OO.

Thanks for the complements!

Not at all. Could I possibly ask where you got him from?

Quote from: BassTbone on May 29, 2013, 04:01:35 PM
Harvey, who is a WIP!  Happy to be on wagon wheels at the moment, awaiting a Pug chassis

That's a nice Harvey Model- wherever did you get him??

Some lovely photos there- certainly looks like a very interesting layout indeed!

Sodor Adventures, yours is coming along nicely too!

Sure the evening star has been there for a while, being out of service as I'm sure it is?

City Of Truro is NOT at the GWR as it has been withdrawn from service, as it has been for a month or two now after some serious boiler tube leaks. NRM took the decision as she was due out of ticket soon anyway and the cost to make the repairs, as well as the state of certain parts, was not really viable for such a short space of time. (I might have a fact or two wrong but that's the basic jist of it.)
Presently, Truro IS on display at the NRM before she receives some attention for a presently permanent-looking-future on display.

As for places to visit, if you get the chance DEFINITELY go to the Bluebell Railway! Can easily take the train from London Victoria to East Grinstead where the Bluebell station is just a minute or two down the road!

Otherwise, I can't think of anyway truly Thomas-themed to go off the top of my head....

ERTL Fergus' wheels are too wide for HO/OO track, so he won't fit on it.

Maybe, though not sure yet- I have the Hornby ones which are, in my opinion, pretty good so no urgency to get the Bachmann versions at the moment.

Video uploaded of the layout in operation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeW1I3fqy-Y

Hi all- remember my layout from the last page?

Well look at it now!

I've seen all the episodes and Gordon Runs Dry is my favourite of them, but it's hardly 'wow' material.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The animation is different and there's something about it that just looks wrong (the 'lighting' perhaps but I can't pinpoint exactly what I dislike about it.) That said, Gordon Runs Dry it actually looked better.

A lot of people have praised Kevin's Cranky Friend. I fail to see how it is so great- the three strikes is there in your face- Cranky says No three times and Kevin feels bad leading to the event that happens (which I could see happening the day the synopsis was revealed), afterwhich Cranky 'feels badly and confesses he thought he didn't need help but he does.' If it had been a story by Miller that would have been criticised to the moon and back.

Wayward Winston, oh dear. The only interesting part was when there were two tracks down the hill but three at the top- only interesting as it amazes me how the animators failed to notice that. Thomas chasing higgildy piggildy all over. The three strikes was there but less obvious- Winston passes Gordon, Paxton then the danger appears!

Steamie Stafford. All I have to say is I feel sorry for Stafford's voice actor having to make all those childish noises. The idea of the story was good, the delivery of it was not.

Scruffs Makeover. Three strikes. He tries to do three different jobs before realising that the dump is the only place for him. Would have been more interesting if he had been doing his work daintily around the dump before getting a stern talking to for Whiff.

Gordon Runs Dry. A nice use of railway realism- 'The Local', station announcements- a welcome change. As for the story, why Paxton's signal was green in the first place anyway baffles me. A rock wouldn't have flown out as it had nor done the damage it did. However, Gordon trying to keep his express an express was good, but any loss of water so quickly would be sure to ring alarm bells. Three strikes again- three water towers before the trouble happens. These negatives aside, there was something about it that just made it that little bit better than the other 4 stories. It might have been the series 1 reference, be it intentional or accidental, I just loved the shot I've attached an image of.

Now for some major irks.
Thomas. Every episode. Was it REALLY that necessary to crowbar him into every episode? We need less of Thomas and more of 'the friends', even for smaller parts.
Steamworks also seemed to be shoehorned in unnecessarily.
The realisation/announcement of the 'moral' at the end also annoys me.

Overall, the writing is an improvement over the past series. But there is still a LONG way to go.


Possible classic reference?

I believe so, but I'm not planning to do that at the moment, not until I have a spare face.

About a week ago- good model, if a little weak. Swapped the face for the hornby equivalent as you can see which makes him look much better too I think.

I've painted the majority black to ihht as it happens as the exposed surface will mostly be roadway. There will be a small field which ill sort over the coming days.