Out of my Excitement for the announcement of The Flying Scotsman in HO scale, I'm Starting this topic thread!
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iU_8xlNi-YE/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwE7CK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAy0IARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD8AEB-AH-CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGEMgZShHMA8=&rs=AOn4CLD7AvhceGijB7CYdHDQNWGTXO5gVw)
First Impressions, wow. This was an announcement that came completely out of left field. It was always a possibility that's been thrown around, but no one's ever thought twice about it. That said, as an A1 pacific fan (and an unapologetic Flying Scotsman fanboy), I'm over the moon about the announcement!
I know some people aren't crazy about the CGI render, which is fair. I, on the other hand, actually really like it. It's a cool fictional hybrid design that compliments Gordon well in my opinion. I don't mind the 6 wheel tenders, and I like the smoke deflectors.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the first time we have seen this render of Scotsman. It looks similar to the reference pictures we see sometimes, (like for Sir Handel), However the face is smaller than the smokebox here so it is entirely possible that this is new or altered. So it looks like he'll have all of his CGI features, including the Smoke Deflectors, the Banjo dome, and the LNER style headcode lamps, which I'm super excited about.
Another topic of contention which I'm sure will be thrown around is if he'll reuse the Gordon/Henry Chassis, considering they did something similar with Stanley. Scotsman's wheels are bigger, so I could see it going either way. I'll be honest, the thicker siderods never bothered me too much, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't Like to see a new Chassis. A new chassis would satisfy most fans and considering the quality on the newer mechanisms, it would be much appreciated.
Those are just my initial thoughts, once again, I'm so excited for this!
Yeah looking on the Wikia, it seems like this is either new art or art thats not been shown before.
I wonder if his Smoke Deflectors will be separately fitted or even movable. That would be cool if they could pull that off. Also nice to see we'll have a new Lamp moulding too hopefully.
I'm fine with them reusing Gordon's chassis and fine with either 6 or 8 wheel tender variations. I'm guessing it'll be easy to modify into an 8 wheel tender, just swapping the tender for Spencer's tender chassis, repaint the wheels.
I'm also guessing there will be a way to switch between running 1 tender and 2 depending on your own personal taste.
Overall I'm very much looking forward too seeing how he is made and looking forward to getting him on my new layout in my new home when he eventually comes out. Thank you Bachmann.
I made a slight prediction to this in the Everything Thomas thread before it met its size limit, but I brushed it off under the assumption that Bachmann wouldn't do Flying Scotsman before Hiro. It seems I was wrong though. I'm really not sure how to feel about this, as I feel like Hiro is one of the most popular engines in the CGI era, and yet he keeps getting shafted for other engines.
The unexpected announcement for HO Scale was Flying Scotsman. He's the second new tender engine for HO Scale after Rebecca. Many were expecting Hiro. I think they chose Flying Scotsman over Hiro because they could recycle Gordon's chassis for Flying Scotsman. Just like how they recycled Thomas' chassis for Stanley. That would be the more cost-effective way to produce him. If he does sell well (even though we know his price won't be pretty) maybe they'll be more likely to make Hiro, since now we're getting another new tender engine. Two tenders no less.
The other announcement was the reintroduction of the Knapford Station accessory.
At some point, Flying Scotsman could be made in N Scale as well; easily recycling Gordon's chassis. They might do N Scale Spencer before him. The reason there wasn't a new N Scale announcement was because the backlog for it was too high, and they desperately need to catch up. They should for sure have exciting new N Scale announcements for the 2026 catalog. Hopefully Edward.
Flying Scottsman
Bachmann is truely the best .
I was not expecting this guy at all.
Tbh I could see this guy coming sooner rather then later as we have Stanley out and Sidney and the mainland diesel are repaints .
He is an Awdry character which is good to see .
I wonder if Gordon or Spencer's parts will be reused for him .
The tender for Spencer could be reused with a 6 wheels instead of 8 .
Knapford is cool as well . Glad they brought it back with updated details. I understand why it's only one canopy this time . But overall great to see it back .
These 2 products are super cool and I can't wait to see them released
Quote from: TrainFan97 on July 19, 2025, 01:59:21 PMAt some point, Flying Scotsman could be made in N Scale as well; easily recycling Gordon's chassis. They might do N Scale Spencer before him. The reason there wasn't a new N Scale announcement was because the backlog for it was too high, and they desperately need to catch up. They should for sure have exciting new N Scale announcements for the 2026 catalog. Hopefully Edward.
I think Edward is the only tender engine I can see coming in N scale anytime soon. After Edward, I would personally prefer to see them introduce Duck before tackling another large locomotive in N, like Flying Scotsman or Spencer.
Speaking of Flying Scotsman, I've warmed up to the announcement in the last few hours, and I'm considering getting him. The response and reception on social media have been huge, with my Facebook post sharing the announcement receiving over 130 likes and reactions. I could see him being announced for the UK line a few years after his release, considering both the character's and the real locomotive's popularity over there. Daisy had her announcement in the UK line two years after her release here, so I wouldn't rule it out.
Quote from: Chaz on July 19, 2025, 02:45:32 PMQuote from: TrainFan97 on July 19, 2025, 01:59:21 PMAt some point, Flying Scotsman could be made in N Scale as well; easily recycling Gordon's chassis. They might do N Scale Spencer before him. The reason there wasn't a new N Scale announcement was because the backlog for it was too high, and they desperately need to catch up. They should for sure have exciting new N Scale announcements for the 2026 catalog. Hopefully Edward.
I think Edward is the only tender engine I can see coming in N scale anytime soon. After Edward, I would personally prefer to see them introduce Duck before tackling another large locomotive in N, like Flying Scotsman or Spencer.
Speaking of Flying Scotsman, I've warmed up to the announcement in the last few hours, and I'm considering getting him. The response and reception on social media have been huge, with my Facebook post sharing the announcement receiving over 130 likes and reactions. I could see him being announced for the UK line a few years after his release, considering both the character's and the real locomotive's popularity over there. Daisy had her announcement in the UK line two years after her release here, so I wouldn't rule it out.
I do agree that Duck should come to N Scale after Edward before anymore large tender engines for quite a while. N Scale should also get engines like Oliver, as well as Donald and Douglas before anymore larger tender engines like Spencer and Flying Scotsman.
Anyway, Flying Scotsman is already a better-received announcement than Rebecca was, considering that fact that he's an Awdry character. He was meant to have a much larger role in the Season 3 episode 'Tender Engines' but his physical model was never finished, and only the tenders were ever made, due to budget constraints. It wasn't until The Great Race when he finally did make a full appearance in the TV Series.
Cool stuff. Have there ever been any cases where items were released or shipped earlier or later than expected?
I wasn't expecting they would make Scotsman as I think some of the staff said that they only gonna make another tender engine depending on how Rebecca sells (and the fact this is a two tender engine), but I guess the sales on her may've convinced Bachmann.
Looking at the date, I think makes sense as 2026 would mark the 10th anniversary of the Great Race which is where Scostman was introduced. I'm thinking they may reused Spencer's chassis as the Behind the Scenes page says that was what the animators used for Scotsman. So at least that can be less time consuming. I wonder if the smoke deflectors would be static or movable based on what happened in the special.
Quote from: MrNormalDraws on July 19, 2025, 10:53:35 PMI wasn't expecting they would make Scotsman as I think some of the staff said that they only gonna make another tender engine depending on how Rebecca sells (and the fact this is a two tender engine), but I guess the sales on her may've convinced Bachmann.
Looking at the date, I think makes sense as 2026 would mark the 10th anniversary of the Great Race which is where Scostman was introduced. I'm thinking they may reused Spencer's chassis as the Behind the Scenes page says that was what the animators used for Scotsman. So at least that can be less time consuming. I wonder if the smoke deflectors would be static or movable based on what happened in the special.
Had this at the back of my mind, and yeah using Spencer's chassis makes the most sense. I'm sure it won't be the exact same but I would definitely prefer that over Gordon's. We'll have to wait and see about the quality of Stanley's mechanism considering he uses Thomas', interested to see how that will turn out. Bachmann Spencer is one of the few models I don't own, so if anyone's able to take a closer look at his chasis and mechanism to get a better idea. Looking on the parts store, obviously the moving eye mech definitely won't fit but I could see the wheels working out with a reworked rear trailing wheel.
In regards to the smoke deflectors, would love it if they could somehow slide or change position, but I'm not sure how likely that is. In the render shown, it does look like they're forward slightly. If they had to choose, I would vote for them to be slid forward like the basis and during the engine race in The Great Race.
Comparing the render shown in the announcements, and then seeing the OG CGI version in this clip, wouldn't it make sense for them to use the render used CGI era? I mean it would make sense that seeing that as Gordon's brother, in terms of his face and boiler should be at least similar in size since they've been going for the CGI renders going from Diesel/Arry and Bert onwards.
I wouldn't be surprised if they used Spencer's wheels for him given that his wheels do look a bit bigger than Gordon's (looking at their Bachmann promo photos, and comparing them to the Flying Scotsman's CGI model, it would make sense if they went to use Spencer's seeing that probably to avoid using Gordon's chunky side rods he's got)...
This more than makes up for the lack of the 80th Anniversary set that got canceled due to the unexpected setbacks from earlier this year. I'm glad this is the surprise that we're genuinely excited for!
So, I'm a bit confused about Scotsman's render. We've never seen this photo before, and he clearly has a smaller face. Does anyone have any info on this seemingly updated CGI model? Personally, I prefer the larger face. I think it might've overlapped the diameter of the smokebox in the show, but if the face was made to be the same diameter as the smokebox for the HO model, I'd be happy.
Regardless, the mystery of the new render intrigues me.
Question is when Flying Scotsman comes out, will the Hornby Flying Scotsman (Thomas version) prices go up or down lol.
The price of the Hornby one will probably just go up harrison05.
I was at the NMRA Convention on Saturday and asked some questions.
First, there is no plan to make him DCC-ready unless Bachmann UK picks up the model.
Second, He will be more based on the CGI model than the real Locomotive.
Third, there is no confirmation on how the second tender will connect.
Whether or not his second tender will be optional has yet to be determined. It should just have a standard hook-and-loop coupler so that he can also be run without it.
I think they're more likely going to recycle Spencer's chassis than Gordon's, as the more cost-effective way to get him made quicker. Hopefully by mid-2026, we should see the first unpainted sample of Flying Scotsman.
Despite the inevitably ugly price Flying Scotsman is going to have, he's still going to be a good seller, and should convince Bachmann to make Hiro as the next new tender engine for HO Scale following him. We might get other smaller engines like Whiff and Norman.
Also, I just noticed this thread's title has a typo.
Quote from: TrainFan97 on July 22, 2025, 05:35:39 PMWhether or not his second tender will be optional has yet to be determined. It should just have a standard hook-and-loop coupler so that he can also be run without it.
I think they're more likely going to recycle Spencer's chassis than Gordon's, as the more cost-effective way to get him made quicker. Hopefully by mid-2026, we should see the first unpainted sample of Flying Scotsman.
Despite the inevitably ugly price Flying Scotsman is going to have, he's still going to be a good seller, and should convince Bachmann to make Hiro as the next new tender engine for HO Scale following him. We might get other smaller engines like Whiff and Norman.
Also, I just noticed this thread's title has a typo.
I legit didn't notice the title of this thread having the typo until you mentioned it...! The excitement must've been that hyped that we didn't even notice that.
There's another question that's been on my mind now that the Flying Scotsman is gonna be made for next year: will he have a box packaging like the 009/HOn30 Scale Skarloey Railway characters? For a model like him, and well a unique one with TWO TENDERS, there's no way they'll want to store this model in the blister packaging they're used to using up until this point given how pricey I can imagine him becoming......
I'd also imagine they'd have to measure at least Gordon's overall boiler shape to match since they're similar in shape and size, but with different parts like the dome and running board for example, that's gonna be something I'm curious to see how they'll do for this...
Lastly, excluding the City of Truro, isn't this a 3rd Season Character alongside Oliver, Toad, Mavis, and the upcoming Bulgy to be released altogether in this range?? That's crazy to think about!
100% my fault on the typo, it was a mix of the excitement and the fact that I have terribel spellimg
Is there any way I can change it somehow?
Hi all,
I corrected the spelling in the thread title.
Matt will have more to share about Flying Scotsman on the next Thomas Tuesday livestream.
Quote from: Yard Master on July 23, 2025, 02:04:36 PMHi all,
I corrected the spelling in the thread title.
Matt will have more to share about Flying Scotsman on the next Thomas Tuesday livestream.
Thanks a bunch!
So something I would really like to advocate for is having straight lining for the corridor tenders like in real life.
For some odd reason the lining on the CGI render of Scotsman has indented lining as if it were for a fowler tender (like Gordon's), which weirdly enough was a problem that started with the Ertl and Hornby Thomas models so I don't know why that was. Bottom line is I would vastly prefer straight lining on the corridor tenders.
This is something I probably wouldn't even be mentioning, however the newly released 2025 motorized Flying Scotsman actually corrected the lining to be straight, so if it's possible there, I'd like to see it on the Bachmann model.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gq2Sr2tWwAAYSDe.jpg)
I think the majority of fans would agree that having the correct rectangular lining would be an improvement to the model. It baffled everyone when the Fowler tender lining was used in the show.
Quote from: GordonPacific04 on July 24, 2025, 06:05:32 PMSo something I would really like to advocate for is having straight lining for the corridor tenders like in real life.
For some odd reason the lining on the CGI render of Scotsman has indented lining as if it were for a fowler tender (like Gordon's), which weirdly enough was a problem that started with the Ertl and Hornby Thomas models so I don't know why that was. Bottom line is I would vastly prefer straight lining on the corridor tenders.
This is something I probably wouldn't even be mentioning, however the newly released 2025 motorized Flying Scotsman actually corrected the lining to be straight, so if it's possible there, I'd like to see it on the Bachmann model.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gq2Sr2tWwAAYSDe.jpg)
Interestingly this toy originally had the old lining and then they changed it. There are a few other changes to be more accurate as well. The steam pipe and handrails are now colored instead of the dark green from the CGI model (albeit swapped colors the wrong way around, the pipe has the handrail colors). Will be curious if any of these updates carry over here or just were for this toy.
It should be noted that the promo used in the catalog actually likely predates TGR's release. A bunch of recent style guides leaked on twitter recently, included are a bunch of early promos for TGR. In a very similar style to the scotsman. Scotsman isn't included unfortunately but can be concluded he originally had a smaller face before it got sized up.
I find it ironic that even the Flying Scotsman Tenders that did show up in Season 3 had the correct lining on it, but not the CGI render. I'd imagine that if they do correct the lining on the tenders, then overall it'll be a perfect model of the T&F Flying Scotsman.
Quote from: Zorran202 on July 27, 2025, 12:52:49 PMI find it ironic that even the Flying Scotsman Tenders that did show up in Season 3 had the correct lining on it, but not the CGI render. I'd imagine that if they do correct the lining on the tenders, then overall it'll be a perfect model of the T&F Flying Scotsman.
Also his model tenders had the correct wheel configuration on the tenders, I still don't know why they didn't just give the tenders 4 wheels in cgi...
All right, a little late to the party. That's on me. Been super busy and haven't had the time to give a serious post. Now I do.
Flying Scotsman was definitely an announcement I didn't see coming at all. But it's an announcement I'm happy to see. Unexpected but welcome is the best way to put it. If Ryan, Rebecca and Stanley are anything to go off of, Scotsman will probably be one of Bachmann's best models to date. I know it'll likely be two years before we start to get him in hand, but I can already envision what he looks like, which is a good thing.
As far as packaging goes, I don't know how they'll pull off a blister pack for an engine of that size. It'll be either too tall (maybe just as if not more than Cranky or the old lighthouse) or too wide. So here's my proposal: a Collector's Edition box. In the early 90s to celebrate the real life Scotsman's 70th birthday(?), Hornby made two versions of Scotsman when he had two tenders. What if Bachmann does that for the Thomas Scotsman?
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/925154_3e7e437271944c24a5c62fa522f9f574.jpg/v1/fill/w_478,h_640,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/925154_3e7e437271944c24a5c62fa522f9f574.jpg)
Maybe on the top of the lid is some history about the real-life Scotsman and blurbs about him in both the books and the CGI series?
Either way, I'm happy about this and will more than likely preorder him when TrainWorld drops the links.
Given the excitement for this announcement, can you imagine the amount of people were be really disappointed if they would for some reason cancel him like they did Duncan? It wouldn't look good for Bachmann
Oh no please don't jinx us... i'm still not over having my favourite NG character being cancelled.
Quote from: harrison05 on July 27, 2025, 09:42:57 PMQuote from: Zorran202 on July 27, 2025, 12:52:49 PMI find it ironic that even the Flying Scotsman Tenders that did show up in Season 3 had the correct lining on it, but not the CGI render. I'd imagine that if they do correct the lining on the tenders, then overall it'll be a perfect model of the T&F Flying Scotsman.
Also his model tenders had the correct wheel configuration on the tenders, I still don't know why they didn't just give the tenders 4 wheels in cgi...
To be honest, yeah . I wonder if they would also change that to have Spencer's tender, be reused .
I'm sure they could get away with this as sir Handel had extra detailing so modifying Scotsman wouldn't be too far off .
Quote from: harrison05 on July 30, 2025, 03:06:35 AMOh no please don't jinx us... i'm still not over having my favourite NG character being cancelled.
I don't think they will given that the tolling for flying Scotsman that they will have could be used for something else where as I think the reason Doug Blaine said Duncan was canceled was because it would cost too much to develop a tooling that they couldn't use for other future projects
Quote from: Awesometrain77 on July 30, 2025, 11:51:06 AMQuote from: harrison05 on July 27, 2025, 09:42:57 PMQuote from: Zorran202 on July 27, 2025, 12:52:49 PMI find it ironic that even the Flying Scotsman Tenders that did show up in Season 3 had the correct lining on it, but not the CGI render. I'd imagine that if they do correct the lining on the tenders, then overall it'll be a perfect model of the T&F Flying Scotsman.
Also his model tenders had the correct wheel configuration on the tenders, I still don't know why they didn't just give the tenders 4 wheels in cgi...
To be honest, yeah . I wonder if they would also change that to have Spencer's tender, be reused .
I'm sure they could get away with this as sir Handel had extra detailing so modifying Scotsman wouldn't be too far off .
I would like for Bachmann Flying Scotsmans Tenders to have 8 wheels as well, and they do have the Spencer tender to use as at least a basis to start with.
I have also have had a thought that I wanted to bring up that could make both sides happy.
If Bachmann ultimately decides to make Flying Scotsman screen accurate in CGI with the 6-wheeled tenders, maybe something they could also do would be to modify the Spencer Tender into 8-wheeled Flying Scotsmans Tenders, and then release them as separate products meant to supplement the Bachmann Flying Scotsman. Call them something along the lines "Flying Scotsman Tender 1" and "Flying Scotsman Tender 2." The 6-wheeled CGI Tenders would then come with the Flying Scotsman Model, making it screen accurate to the CGI series, but there would also be Model series accurate 8-wheeled tenders available for purchase for those who want to go the extra mile. This would also give Bachmann an additional set of 2 more products they could sell, and the 8-wheel tenders might also appeal to non-Thomas Modelers who would want an 8 wheeled tender for without having to buy a whole engine.
I don't know if this would be a good idea, but I wanted to at least put this on the table.
Should be cool.
It's confirmed Scottsman will have both tenders that are both new tools . Overall really hyped to this happen I can't belive he is happening can't wait till we see a prototype.
It seems they will be 6 wheels .which is shame but I can't imagine them making a similar tender to Spencer as a complete new tool .
Quote from: DustyMarie53! on August 11, 2025, 08:26:04 PMThey also specifically confirmed it would reuse Gordon's chassis for both the the engine and the tender. Not sure how I feel about this. But it worked for Stanley so I'll hold any judgement until wee sit
Are they gonna redo the siderods for Scotsman? I feel like the old rods look really outdated. Maybe this might encourage modelers to use them for Gordon like with Stanley using Thomas' chassis.
Scottsman will have 6 wheels confirmed.
His couplings will either be a drawbar or hook and loop for the water tender .
Both tender and the engine will be a new tool .
So a couple things confirmed about Flying Scotsman in today's Thomas Tuesday stream.
- Will be Reusing Gordon's chassis
- Body and tenders will be new toolings
- Matt said he would ideally like to have the standard hook and loop couplers between the tenders, but will ultimately come down to what's most cost effective.
- Will look like how he did in CGI, so the tenders will have 6 wheels
In my opinion, don't care too much about having 6 wheels on the tenders, though I do hope we'll have the standard hook and loop couplers between the tenders. I'm a bit bummed that he'll be using Gordon's chassis, as the siderods are too thick and it's a bit underscale. I would have preferred he use Spencer's chassis because it counters all of those points, but maybe the giant eye mech had something to do with it. It is what it is though.
Just like how Stanley recycled Thomas' chassis, Flying Scotsman will recycle Gordon's chassis, which will be the more cost-effective way to produce him, though his tenders and body will be new toolings. It's a shame that Mallard never appeared in the TV Series. Otherwise, he would've been a simple repaint using Spencer's tooling.
The coupling between the two tenders should hopefully be hook-and-loop, so Flying Scotsman could be run with or without the second tender, but it will come down to what's more cost-effective, so it may end up being a draw-bar instead.
Hoping he will still have the proper lining on his tenders, rather than the Fowler tender lining. They can fix things after the first painted sample gets shown. It's happened before, since the first painted sample we see isn't usually final.
Quote from: GordonPacific04 on August 12, 2025, 07:31:45 PMI'm a bit bummed that he'll be using Gordon's chassis, as the siderods are too thick.
Bachmann did make new siderods for Stanley despite reusing Thomas' chassis, so maybe they'll be able to do the same for Flying Scotsman.