Bachmann Online Forum

Hi everyone,

Is it just me or does Bachmann's Thomas look Very Weird?
Well if so say so!. Because Thomas's face does not look like that >:(
ALSO THOMAS NEEDS! A FRONT COUPLER!.
Please help me tell bachmann that there is a problem with there Model Thomas.

I think that you should at least be thankful that Bachmann has started their T&F range. Keep in mind that Thomas was one of their first models, so you can't expect perfectness in the first try

It was BACHMANN'S first model, and never updated to rectify flaws. Hopefully Thomas, Percy, and James will be updated someday. But even if they aren't I am fine with them, as they can be easily changed on your own.

Agreed with DinoNTrains.

OK maybe I was a bit to harsh but Thomas does deserve an Update :) (Because he has been a  Really Useful Engine :)

I Think everyone will agree with me on this, this time :)
Here is something's again :) that I think should be Updated.
-Thomas's Face (His face looks kinda like the TV Series but not :( )
-Front Coupler (Thomas is always shunting in the TV Series :( )

I also think that these would be an awesome idea :D
-Working Lamps Front and back (So Thomas can see :D)
-Smoke Generators (:( Apparently Thomas's eye mechanism is in the way of making that possible. but if they moved it it would work :D)

Also again (rolls eyes) XD i had an idea for Annie and Clarabel :D
-Working Lights Inside the Coaches :D
-Seats etc. inside the coaches :D

I hope Mr. Bach-mann has a look a my kind words and takes them into account.

And SORRY for mouthing off.

Thanks,
Matthew.H

Edit: On second thoughts Thomas's face is well FINE it does look quite like Thomas but it would look awesome with a close resembling happy Thomas face. Thank-you again and please Mr. Bach-Mann Check this out :D

Sounds good. I think he's been really useful, so he derserves to get updated. But James and Percy deserve an update too!

Yes needer671 you are quiet right Thomas, Percy & James all need front Couplers :).
Other that that Percy and James are quiet fine :D

Thanks,
Matthew.H

i haven't tried this yet, but it apepars there is a mounting in place for a front coupler on thomas. maybe somebody could get a spare coupler and see if this mounting will support it?

Quote from: Matthew.H on October 21, 2011, 02:51:44 AM
Yes needer671 you are quiet right Thomas, Percy & James all need front Couplers :).
Other that that Percy and James are quiet fine :D

Thanks,
Matthew.H

James is not quite fine. His wheels NEED to be black along with the lower box on the boiler!

I hope Mr. Bach-Mann takes your word into account as well :)
Thank you for the responses and plz Mr. Bach-Mann plz listen to the people who are buying your products. :D

Yeah,Not just HIT! :P

BTW I do not own any models at all yet so I would like to ask another Question?

Does anyone know a good Hobby store in Australia (around Melbourne and Point Cook area) where they stock HO/OO scale Bachmann Thomas, Annie, Clarabel and the rest of the clan?

Thanks,
Matthew.H

Quote from: jward on October 21, 2011, 10:25:46 AM
i haven't tried this yet, but it apepars there is a mounting in place for a front coupler on thomas. maybe somebody could get a spare coupler and see if this mounting will support it?

   Yea, just position it under the front area. I'll explain more if you need to.

Matthew, here's an old thread you'll find interesting: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,9227.0.html

It's a post I did about this very topic, some points are a bit dated though I think.

Quote from: Sparks on October 21, 2011, 10:27:37 PM
Matthew, here's an old thread you'll find interesting: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,9227.0.html

It's a post I did about this very topic, some points are a bit dated though I think.

Thank Sparks I will join you on the topic :)
BTW Sparks can you answer my Question on the Hobby Store Please it would be a great help.

The only store Ive got in mind is Hearns Hobbies, But i don't know if they sell it.

Thanks,
Matthew.H

I know little about the Australian market, sorry. I do use eBay, Antics Online, and eHattons a lot though. Whenever browsing with them, check if the store (in eBays case, the seller) ships to Australia. I wouldn't doubt it since they shipped to me in the US.  :)

Ok
Would you recommend waiting till they do update Thomas, to then buy it or not?

Quote from: Matthew.H on October 21, 2011, 11:03:52 PM
Ok
Would you recommend waiting till they do update Thomas, to then buy it or not?

There's no confirmation that they'll even update Thomas, Percy, and James anytime soon, so I would just assume one is not in the near future for now.

It's an interesting idea though, as nowadays prototypes are first designed with computers, so the Large scale models bodies could be scaled down to OO and then given OO appropriate chassis. 

You are Amazing Great Idea :D But maybe not the CGI face because the classics look better :p

So I should  :-\  I like Thomas but he needs a few things :)

Hi Bach-mann Collectors  ;D

My mum and I have had a talk yesterday about Thomas and all and I decided to Buy a Hornby Flying Scotsman because it is my Favourite Train.
But any way Thomas will be my 3rd Train :) and I have an idea for him :D

Because Thomas has the hook thing at the front and the back i thought maybe i could use a chain or something to couple instead of the default coupler given by Bachmann. Not to mention this would also solve the problem of not having a front coupler :)......But :(
Annie and Clarabel do not have this hook on the front or the back :(.
Would it be worth trying to get another 4 hooks, 2 for Annie, 2 for Clarabel.  :-\

Does my idea sound good or not?

Thanks,
Matthew.H       

I wouldn't do it. It'd be cheaper and easier just to shave off some of the front then glue a hook/loop coupler to where it's align with other hook/loop couplers.

What about A Screw-Link Coupler instead? (for all Sodor Engine and Annie and Clarabel front and back for all)

Personally I find it and 3-Link to be way too fiddly for OO scale.

Would you be able to help me sparks? I'm going to go ahead with the couplings because it will make it look more accurate. But before I do anything Which of the two couplings do Thomas and Friends use in the TV Series? 3-Link..or Screw-Link? Then where do I get them? BTW My mum can't pay over seas meaning I can only buy on eBay from people in Australia :(
Also Does any one know where I can get better hooks preferably Metal that Bachmanns Plastic ones?
And again ::) Where will I find Sprung loaded buffers?

Thanks answers very much appreciated :)
Matthew.H :)

Quote from: Matthew.H on October 23, 2011, 07:54:29 AM
Would you be able to help me sparks? I'm going to go ahead with the couplings because it will make it look more accurate. But before I do anything Which of the two couplings do Thomas and Friends use in the TV Series? 3-Link..or Screw-Link?

They used both, the coaches and trucks use 3 link chain, and the engines use screw link couplings.

Hope this helps. :).

AJW98Productions

Thanks I hope you Studyed this well I'm. Trusting you.
Please anyone help me out answer some of the question I asked above.

If I were you I'd go for Kadee Couplings. Whilst getting them fitted at first may be a hassle, the fact they're less obtrusive, and work better, than the Tension Lock couplings they are supplied with is a bonus.

It's what I plan to do, apart from having cosmetic 3 links on locomotives and at the end of rakes. (Aiming to use fixed rakes for my layout)

Jack

I have stock with 3 link couplings, and it gets complicated with coaches, bogie wagons, and diesel locos easily. It's more hassle than it's worse; as Jack said, I too am going with Kadee (knuckle couplers).

Quote from: Matthew.H on October 23, 2011, 08:47:16 AM
Thanks I hope you Studyed this well.

I have I've looked it up and have a keen eye for the detail on couplings.

Thank-You all but does any 1 know a Hobbies store in Australia, Melbourne were they customize models?

Not a clue. But there is one in Sydney!

Just come back from a nice Week up Bush and have had some brilliant ideas for all the Bachmann Thomas series Loco's.

-Open cabs with a bit of cab detail (holes in the corner for wiring for back lamp)
-Redo Thomas's face to his Happy face maybe and..... Individually sell different faces for different characters.

And Thomas needs his wheels moved I think (in reference from when Thomas gets stuck in the snow and terence pulls him out. His wheels are a bit to close.

Annie and Clarabels chasis are black not grey.

Mr. Bachmann do you sell 3-Link and Screw-Link or know an other company that does and that are accessible in AUSTRALIA (AKA Buying them from shops in AUS)

Thanks
Matthew