So in a recent Thomas Tuesday it was said if the demand was there they would consider giving the thomas in the 80th set a exclusive new face
Now this face would be a nice piece to include and I could see the sales for this set skyrocketing out of the roof on the resale market, this set would go for tons and just the Thomas alone would be at least $100 by him self . There was a lot of people that wanted this to happen myself included.
They could also reissue RWS thomas from this set by himself for the 85th in 2030.
Please reply or like this post for the demand of RWS Thomas face . Other companies have made RWS Thomas and have given him exclusive faces .
I think having a unique face would give people an actual incentive to buy the set. To me, the choice of wagons and a slightly different paintjob isn't enough for me to consider purchasing the 80th anniversary set. However, if it had a unique RWS themed face, that would give the model some novelty that sets it apart from every other Bachmann Thomas in a brand new way. It'd be the cherry on top, so to speak.
It's a minor nitpick, but I also think the paintjob should be a more desaturated turquoise blue, to match the Reginald Payne illustration. The Plarail 80th Anniversary Thomas set is doing this, and it makes a world of a difference.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kwn26Xa.png)(https://i.imgur.com/nJlKJVh.png)
I also don't think the face even needs to be designed around the moving eye mechanism either; the charm of the Railway Series faces is the more "hand-drawn" look, and trying to incorporate the moving eye mechanism into that could complicate what's a simple design. I imagine ideally, they'd have an enclosed faceplate that just goes over the eye mechanism.
I definitely want different faces for all the engines but specifically for the 80th. I agree the moving eyes don't matter give us a new face.
I'm glad Bachmann is open to discussion about changing the face for the 80th set. I really hope they're able to as it would absolutely put it over the top. Hopefully it will then influence them to create more newly tooled faces for the older models that need it.
I'm of two minds on this. On one hand, the face would be a really nice bonus. However, with the pipeline having so much to work on as is, I do worry delaying this pack just for the face would mean it missing the anniversary year window and thus feeling less special. Admittedly people will probably buy it anyway, me included, but it being tied with this year specifically I think will help its sales a lot.
A nice potential middle ground would be if they updated the face print itself. The original promos were technically based on the rws drawings. Giving it a darker palette and some other small cosmetics could easily make it look like the face from the books without having to sculpt a new mold. Ultimately, I'll be happy with what whatever road they choose
Quote from: DustyMarie53! on February 04, 2025, 07:14:44 PMI'm of two minds on this. On one hand, the face would be a really nice bonus. However, with the pipeline having so much to work on as is, I do worry delaying this pack just for the face would mean it missing the anniversary year window and thus feeling less special. Admittedly people will probably buy it anyway, me included, but it being tied with this year specifically I think will help its sales a lot.
On the bright side, if it's delayed for 2026, at least it'll be good for the anniversary of the second book as it'll be 80 years since Thomas' book.
Honestly a great point! It'd still celebrate Thomas's original first appearance, so it would still work out that way. In that case yeah, going for a full on new face mold would still work out
Then there's the fact that since this'll be just a single batch run, meaning we'll need to make sure we can snag our preorders in to avoid the fear of missing out, so them making a new RWS face would be a unique moulding and exclusive to this set. Heck, IF this pans out, we could see potential changes here and there, like maybe getting the long-awaited updated faces to the older models released in 2002 that really need the new faces. Now wouldn't that be something to think about...?
Quote from: DustyMarie53! on February 04, 2025, 07:14:44 PMI'm of two minds on this. On one hand, the face would be a really nice bonus. However, with the pipeline having so much to work on as is, I do worry delaying this pack just for the face would mean it missing the anniversary year window and thus feeling less special. Admittedly people will probably buy it anyway, me included, but it being tied with this year specifically I think will help its sales a lot.
A nice potential middle ground would be if they updated the face print itself. The original promos were technically based on the rws drawings. Giving it a darker palette and some other small cosmetics could easily make it look like the face from the books without having to sculpt a new mold. Ultimately, I'll be happy with what whatever road they choose
Cool props announced in 2020 a LBSC Thomas for the 75th and it's not even out yet
I also think the 80th technically could extend to 2026 so it technically will be celebrating the actual 80th anniversary of Thomas himself if the site comes out in 2026 it won't be a bad idea at all considering nothing in that set is based on the three railway engine.
Obviously, I would like it to come out as soon as possible, but an exclusive face delay it to the proper year would actually work out for the best .
However, I think that getting this face designed as soon as possible and getting the set out as soon as possible would work out for the best .
On a side note Bachmann will need to make this decision very very soon .
I definitely like the idea that even if deciding to add a new tooled face could delay the product, it could still tie into Thomas' books anniversary, which would be celebrating its 80th after the Three Railway Engines; it gives some extended marketability potential to the 80th Anniversary.
So we have offical images of the set
It seems we were unsuccessful
How ever something that went through the back of my head is that it was odd it used the used the old Thomas eye brows on the stock image . But sure enough it will be on the final set that's sort of cool I guess
There is a chance there could be red lining on the back of this fingers crossed, but who knows. I do hope this gets out by fall this year and given how easy this is I could see that happening
So bad news the set has been cancelled.
I was looking foward to it so that's a shame .
Too bad about the set...
I totally get why they canceled the set (especially with everything going on in the world right now), and the fact that it wouldn't be ready in time for the end of the anniversary year kind of defeats the purpose of making an anniversary set. However, I think it might be a good idea for us to share ideas here (or in the suggestions/predictions thread) on ways Bachmann could introduce a new product as a late tribute to the anniversary, or as part of next year's 80th anniversary of Thomas' first official appearance in the Railway Series, or even as a late tribute to Britt Allcroft's passing. Either way, the way I see it, when one door closes, another opens, and it's great to see Bachmann already being proactive in thinking of ways to make up for this as Matt mentioned in the stream.
I would love to have the designs released by Bachmann for 3d printing Thomas fans.
As for a make up release . I think a good idea would be to finally do a model era only character . Stepney and BoCo have been suggested for ages and I think now after this massive disappointment it would be a really good time to do them .
Stepney BoCo and Class 40 are the only Awdry created standard gauge characters that appear in the TVS that Bachmann has yet to make .
Class 40 is super obscure and only appears in 2 episodes but only really has a role in one of those .
Quote from: Awesometrain77 on July 06, 2025, 02:38:34 PMAs for a make up release . I think a good idea would be to finally do a model era only character . Stepney and BoCo have been suggested for ages and I think now after this massive disappointment it would be a really good time to do them .
Stepney BoCo and Class 40 are the only Awdry created standard gauge characters that appear in the TVS that Bachmann has yet to make .
Class 40 is super obscure and only appears in 2 episodes but only really has a role in one of those .
If we ever finally get models of either Boco or Stepney, I can probably die happy! Both would be superb additions to the range and Bachmann can more or less be guaranteed FANTASTIC sales of one or both were to be made.
Like overall with there being no mandate . They could do them . BoCo would likely be a better option as face sculpts of him have already been made as we need a new large diesel in the line and Bachmann won't have to pay fees to the bluebell railway for him .
BoCo would sell out instantly and I think he would be a perfect edition to make up for this time .
This would be a perfect way to make up for it .
In addition selling BoCo would allow younger kids to discover the classic series .
Quote from: Awesometrain77 on July 06, 2025, 02:38:34 PMAs for a make up release . I think a good idea would be to finally do a model era only character . Stepney and BoCo have been suggested for ages and I think now after this massive disappointment it would be a really good time to do them .
Stepney BoCo and Class 40 are the only Awdry created standard gauge characters that appear in the TVS that Bachmann has yet to make.
Class 40 is super obscure and only appears in 2 episodes but only really has a role in one of those .
Bachmann knows the demand for classic characters like Stepney and BoCo. However a cancelled anniversary set doesn't mean they'll "make it up to us with...." that set had pretty much all the tooling already in Bachmann's arsenal besides the Break-van. If we are lucky we might get the Thomas from the set released as a Story Thomas as Chaz said, maybe the Break-van too.
The set was cancelled due to Tarrifs and it being pushed back so it wouldn't come out in 2025. Its important that we are mindful of this and the costs that are changing. Something that costs $100 to make now could cost $115 in 6 months time or more. Its an ever changing situation and Its genuinely out of everyones control. Rebecca alone has gone up from $299 to $329 in some stores between January and now. Personally right now I'd rather Bachmann be able to announce things they can deliver and get out rather then things be stuck in production for years like Salty being reintroduced, like DCC Thomas and Percy. The last thing Bachmann wants is to promise something that they have to cancel due to costs being too high.
It pains me to say it because I want Stepney and BoCo too and Class 40. But I know they will be pretty big projects for Bachmann to take on and last thing I think anyone wants is for Bachmann to announce something like Stepney or BoCo for something to happen in 6 months time and the project be cancelled again least of all Bachmann.