Well, Christmas came and went, but no sign of the Iron Twins...

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/HOProducts2.asp?Scale=HO&Item=160Thomas&offset=25

Although according to wholesaletrains (assuming no one else posted this), they're slated for an end-of-the-month February release, hoooooopefuuuuuuuullyyyyyyyyyy........ 

http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Timothy (to see a rough sketch of him in TnP form)

Now it's not confirmed just yet, but from what I could gather from the vague looking pic from a children's book (http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Brave-Thomas-Friends-Golden/dp/0385379153), he might be based off of this basis (very first pic on the site): http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/articulateds/articulated02.htm

I'm hoping an engine like Duke returns, because now that we have an Earl (Sir Robert Norramby), who would be the new/current grace that Duke knew back in the day, maybe (or more rather if they made a story like that, I'd like to see how they'd handle that).

I definitely agree with the other characters (Donald, Douglas, Oliver, Toad, Terence, Trevor, Duncan, Murdoch, Arthur, and BoCo) that should return sometime. Although I don't believe they'll all return simultaneously, they'll return eventually for sure, with the new team that brought back Duck, Harvey, Bill and Ben in the show.

I'm hoping some of the female characters like Madge and Molly return and/or characters like Rosie and Mavis have starring roles to themselves...

I'm just hoping they'll show the pics of them before the end of the year. It'll be nice to look forward to a pair of Smelter's Diesels lurking about the layouts before then...

Idk, I enjoyed his voice since if you think about it, his real-life basis is actually from Scotland, hence having the Scottish accent we hear him with in Gone Fishing.

It was an interesting episode, certainly a lot more better than The Smelly Kipper, in a way really.

Two more days until the release of Season 17!! Can't wait!!

I can see Henrietta being made later on since like how Emily's coaches came first (especially like an unexpected surprise), while she herself came later in the HO line. Same with Toby, except reversed (him coming in first and then Henrietta coming in later)...

Well bust my buffers! They look so accurately close to how an engine and drivers + fireman should be operating in engines! Well done! It must've been very worry-some to make sure they're all measured down accurately.

Has anyone seen the UK version of King of the Railway yet? It's out now!

Yeah, three of the Troublesome Trucks so far have happy, cheeky faces, but not the cross or neutral faces... I hope they'll stick with a different face on a different truck for sure! Seeing that a cattle van was used as the #3 truck, I hope another van like the salt van will be the #4 truck, like some of you mentioned, per se.

Trucks/Rusty Helps Peter Sam

"Luke! The Passengers don't like being bounced around like Peas in a Pod!"

Well, we'd have to see what the writing team currently does at the moment. I mean after all, Donald, Douglas, Oliver, Trevor, etc. would still be the highly anticipated characters to return in the series. I'm all for BoCo returning, just hoping they set a character like him up in the right premise of a story, like back in the classic series.

If Fergus were to be made, Bachmann would have a complicated time trying to insert the moving eye mechanisms into him, seeing that he's narrow in size compared to the other tank engines in the range. Now unless if they make him as an exception (kind of like Winston), probably no guarantee that they'll make him, but seeing that Jeremy is scheduled to come next year, we'll see for sure.

And for characters like Winston or Rosie, I prefer them being released at a later time, seeing that there are other characters that have yet to be made from the classic series. Don't get me wrong, I wish they're released, but again, seeing that Winston was released only a year ago, so kids wouldn't have a full liking to him just yet.

I can understand... After all, we still have like two more months until these episodes air either on TV or straight to DVD release...

Quote from: Calebtrain on August 11, 2013, 07:24:30 PM
Umm....the summaries of the episodes was on the wiki too.

I'm sure he posted it there just to make sure it is 100% legit.

However,

Quote from: ModelTrainFan538 on August 11, 2013, 08:05:57 PM
I can't judge episodes solely on summaries alone, but I can certainly say a couple of things..

One, 20 episodes for season 17.  I saw this one coming.  I never understood where people got the idea there would be 26.  Not that I'm arguing against it, but seeing as how they have done 20 episodes plus a special since season 12 I don't see how they would change that tradition.  Plus a special is worth about six episodes when you really think about it, so it really isn't so much of a loss.  However, if they do have six more episodes but are saving them for a later time, then I honestly wouldn't mind that.  The more the merrier.  If not though, I'm honestly perfectly fine with what we got.

Another is the fact that old characters are getting big roles.  Duck is playing a lead role in an episode with Thomas, we haven't had this since season 4.  It's even bigger than roles he's had since seasons 5 and 6, so it'll be interesting to see how that will play out.  Bill and Ben are also sharing a role with Connor, and we haven't had an episode starring those two since season 7.  Both of these I welcome with open arms!  No idea if Jack will appear in any episodes anytime soon, but I wouldn't mind if they skipped a season with him.  Seeing Jack alone without the rest of the pack really makes him stand out.  At least Alfie would be nice to see if they were gonna bring Jack back...

Sidney coming back was a given, and I am open to the idea of Paxton getting his own episode.  I even like how Stephen is sharing some roles with Percy, I have a feeling that these will play well.  Flynn and Belle though...?  Honestly, I never understood the fascination with both of these characters.  Belle is one of my least favorite characters in the series.  The fact that she's a steam engine who shoots out water is extremely bizarre, and her personality I find to be rather annoying.  Not as bad as the logging locos, but admittedly I find Charlie more enjoyable than her.  Flynn I find to be more tolerable, but him getting an episode three seasons in a row is pushing it for me.

The biggest surprise for me though is the fact that Diesel 10 of all characters is appearing in an episode.  Diesel 10 was a movie/special character.  I'm honestly not sure what to think of this, I feel like it'll either be a real hit or miss with what they are going to do with him.  Either way, definitely an interesting move on the writers part and I'm looking forward to seeing how this will play out. 

Overall though, I'm excited for these new episodes!  Looking forward to when they air

Question: how do you explain the remaining episode titles "Spills and Thrills," "The Rocket Returns," and "No More Mr. Nice Engine"? Here's my proof: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Friends-Spills-Thrills-Pictureback/dp/0385375085/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375882651&sr=8-2&keywords=thomas+and+friends+2014

http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Returns-Thomas-Friends-Reading/dp/0385373848/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2

They clearly did say 26 episodes, with the last three remaining episodes a mystery... After all, the DVD release of Spills and Thrills will be released next year, but that's all the info I remember.

But yeah, I'm on board with you on the sheer fact that why Diesel 10 would show up, unless if it was a typo hopefully... King of the Railway is definitely one thing, but Season 17 is another story. XD