I can't believe it he is happening
I think it would be wiser to wait until the pamphlet is officially posted by Bachmann, in case the posted pamphlet is an elaborate fake.
Then why is the code on TTTE Wikia? The code is 58803
https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/documents/2026NMRA.pdf
So now that the HO Model of Diesel 10 is finally released, some questions are raised:
I'm curious how this character got greenlit due to the loading restrictions or whatever, because I'm not surprised that his claw was a factor in making this model a chance to be made. Maybe somewhere in a live that Matt said to them it didn't matter, I don't remember, but the likes of Harvey can be made now thanks to Diesel 10... However, I'm glad we at least have another Big Diesel like Daisy be released in this range.
Quote from: Zorran202 on August 01, 2026, 10:22:15 AMI'm curious how this character got greenlit due to the loading restrictions or whatever, because I'm not surprised that his claw was a factor in making this model a chance to be made.
I think the NMRA Loading Gauge restriction was always just fan speculation, rather than anything stated outright. For example, I'm pretty sure that models of Double-Stack container cars would be taller than a model of Diesel 10 (there are also models made with pantographs as well). I think things were misconstrued due to the Thomas Wikipedia saying that Diesel 10 would be too tall for British Loading Gauge in real life, and people figured the same would be true of models.
Someone attended the NMRA show and spoke to Bachmann about Diesel 10. The info they got from Bachmann was reported to Thomas Merch News on Twitter and can be found there.
Apparently the arm will be able to be raised and lowered, and swivel 360 degrees. However, they report that the claw will not open and close.
Now, take this with a grain of salt because we didn't hear it from Bachmann directly, but if this is true I can't help but be a little disappointed. If the claw were to have any movement, I would've thought it'd be the claw itself- not everything else BUT the claw.
I hope the person that spoke with Bachmann misheard, but if not, then I really hope Bachmann reconsider how they approach the claw. I'm happy to pay more if they can deliver.
The claw needs to open and close. I don't see how that wouldn't be possible. It would be a dealbreaker if the claw can't open and close.
If it's true, then it needs to be changed before going into production. Bachmann makes last minute changes on some products to improve them. Diesel 10 can still have his claw open and close. There is still hope, since he hasn't gone into production yet. They can't just screw up such an iconic feature of Diesel 10. We want him to be perfect.
I imagine they already deducted that the extra articulation to make the claw open and close would raise the cost of manufacturing to a price higher than they wish for the product to be. I wouldn't be surprised if the price is already going to be somewhere in the Rebecca and Flying Scotsman range as it is.
I guess I need to be more understanding if it's true, and not consider it a dealbreaker. Matt Stern might explain that the reason the claw won't open or close is to help keep the cost down, as giving Pinchy that function would dramatically make the model even more expensive than it already is. Rebecca and Flying Scotsman are the most expensive models in the HO Scale range, and Diesel 10 is already going to be in that price range. It's the same reason only his rear bogie will be powered, just like Daisy; to cut down on cost.
I'll just need to deal with it if Pinchy's bucket can't open or close.
People are not happy about the fact Pinchy won't be able to open...
Oh dear. If there is a massive backlash regarding Pinchy not having the ability to open, I hope this doesn't lead to Diesel 10 being cancelled. Either it's going to stay that way, or Bachmann will look into figuring out how to make it work for everyone to be happy.
Quote from: TrainFan97 on August 03, 2026, 02:07:23 AMOh dear. If there is a massive backlash regarding Pinchy not having the ability to open, I hope this doesn't lead to Diesel 10 being cancelled. Either it's going to stay that way, or Bachmann will look into figuring out how to make it work for everyone to be happy.
Relax. Just because the claw is closed and some fans aren't happy about it, that doesn't mean Diesel 10 is going to be cancelled.
As stated earlier, the claw itself is likely static due to pricing, and I imagine the 8+ age restriction likely played a factor in this as well. Otherwise, the claw would probably be too brittle and break off much more easily. I originally thought the whole claw with arm was going to be almost completely static, but the fact that the claw is going to move at all, especially with 360° rotation and the arm moving up and down, is already incredible in itself.
For the record, while I do understand some of the frustration that Bachmann isn't going "the extra mile" here, remember that Bachmann outright said pricing was the biggest issue preventing them from doing Diesel 10 in the past. The fact that he's coming out at all, and that Bachmann found a way to make it work despite a small sacrifice being made here, shows that Bachmann
did listen to what the fans said and found a way to make it happen. That in itself is commendable.
I agree with Chaz, I don't believe Diesel 10 would be canceled because of the claw situation. I think it is very understandable again given the age restrictions they adhere to. I think the fact his arm will move at all is great! I am sure us modelers will figure out how to make it open and close after release of the model anyway.
I do hope that Bachmann follows the Magic Railroad reference photos for his model and not the Calling All Engines/CGI models where he is not properly fitted to his chassis.
One other concern is that in Calling All Engines, Diesel 10 was not correctly fitted to his chassis, which left a gap between his face and bufferbeam, and it unfortunately carried over to his CGI model. I hope Bachmann addresses this, or Matt Stern mentions this. Very good chance there will be that gap between his face and bufferbeam.
In regards to the gap on Diesel 10:
I know I'm in the minority, but I prefer when Bachmann is as close as possible to whatever reference they're using for a model. In this case, Diesel 10's CGI model which has a gap between the body and chassis. I've seen a lot of people ask for this to be adjusted on the Bachmann model, but this "gap" version is well and truly the version seen in most of his appearances. Only in TATMR was it the "right" way.
I saw the same thing happen when Flying Scotsman was announced. People asked Bachmann to fix the tender lining and number of tender wheels- which Bachmann said they weren't going to because it went against the reference material from Mattel.
Personally, I hope the gap stays.
There are definitely a lot of "inaccuracies" with models currently in the works; Thomas' smokebox saddle, Percy's CGI model missing the counterweights, Scotsman having the wrong tender lining on his CGI model, and of course Diesel 10s elevated body.
Personally, I think Bachmann knows to do their research and pick which details will best suit the taste of the fans, but Mattel does have the final say on how accurate the models are to their actual designs. It's a miracle that they allowed Sir Handel to be as derivative as he is.
Quote from: Cheeky_ULP on August 06, 2026, 08:39:12 PMThere are definitely a lot of "inaccuracies" with models currently in the works; Thomas' smokebox saddle, Percy's CGI model missing the counterweights, Scotsman having the wrong tender lining on his CGI model, and of course Diesel 10s elevated body.
Personally, I think Bachmann knows to do their research and pick which details will best suit the taste of the fans, but Mattel does have the final say on how accurate the models are to their actual designs. It's a miracle that they allowed Sir Handel to be as derivative as he is.
Scotsman's tender also having 6 wheels, where as in real life he has 8 wheels on his tender is another one that annoys me, not as much as Percy's missing counterweights but still is quite disappointing.
I forgot about the 6 wheel tenders, that was another odd design choice.
I was also thinking recently about how Wonders of Sodor, a licensed game that came out recently, had its own take on Thomas and Friends' character designs, in an officially approved product no less.
(https://i.imgur.com/OwtWcyE.png)
Instead of using the BWBA models, they did their own take on all the "extra" details. These designs were very well received by the general fandom, and it's easy to see why; the new details are much more subtle and tasteful, enhancing the CGI models without feeling intrusive. I don't see Bachmann adding these specific details, but it would be a fun project for anyone who wants to "enhance" the upcoming Thomas and Percy redesigns.
(https://i.imgur.com/VXCamMf.png)
Though, Percy's drive wheels didn't regain their counter-weights.
The point is though, that based on this and Sir Handel, Mattel does allow some creative liberties.
I thought I read somewhere that for Thomas and Percy that they were just gonna reuse their chassis to keep costs down(?).
I mean don't forget their Large Scale counterparts, because Percy in that line has counterweights to them. The N Scale Percy, not-so-much, but we'll see how things go...
Quote from: Zorran202 on August 09, 2026, 11:58:21 AMI thought I read somewhere that for Thomas and Percy that they were just gonna reuse their chassis to keep costs down(?).
I mean don't forget their Large Scale counterparts, because Percy in that line has counterweights to them. The N Scale Percy, not-so-much, but we'll see how things go...
This is a good point, and shows that there is precedent to a Bachmann Percy having the correct wheels. Hopefully they remember that.
You know, it makes me wonder: will they give Diesel 10 a smiling face or his "evil" grin face, just like the other Diesel? I'd imagine they'd have to give him the latter face just to make sure they don't repeat, well the latter model of Diesel where he initially had a happy face, but then also gained a grumpy face.
If Diesel and the Mainland Diesel can have grumpy faces, so can Diesel 10.
The dream would be for Diesel 10 to have either the evil smirking face from Magic Railroad, or the one we all know and love where he's angry. I don't see that happening, but you never know.
This is such a crazy product I feel like some rules are bendable, as people were saying above. We should for sure make our thoughts known, I'm going to post my ideal Diesel 10 soon.
I do want to say thank you to BACHMANN for releasing him though. The six year old in me is screaming almost as loud as I am now. It's reignited my interest quite a bit to be honest.
Never even had him in my signature because I just didn't think it would be a possibility.
Quote from: thomasj219 on August 11, 2026, 11:32:13 AMNever even had him in my signature because I just didn't think it would be a possibility.
We probably aren't that far off from seeing Harvey off your signature considering the recent direction we've been going. ;)
Here's hoping. I never thought we'd get Diesel first. But Val is right. Harvey is more complicated.
Well at least it's not 100% certain that Pinchy won't open and close and that there still is hope as the design phase is happening as we speak.
There's still hope for Diesel 10 to have his body lowered to cover the gap, and for the claw to pinch.
He will certainly have a CGI face, which can be him smirking. If anyone wants him to have a model series face, you'll just have to 3D print your own faces for him.
I don't understand the desire to have the body lowered. I'd rather the model be as close to the CGI reference as possible provided by Mattel. I prefer the gap and don't see the reason to change it.
Quote from: TrainFan97 on August 12, 2026, 05:21:10 PMThere's still hope for Diesel 10 to have his body lowered to cover the gap, and for the claw to pinch.
I know they had to modify Rebecca's front buffer beam slightly because it's a bit too long and they don't want it to grind her front coupling, so I'm sure Mattel would let some changes done for D10.
Quote from: MrNormalDraws on August 12, 2026, 10:35:53 PMQuote from: TrainFan97 on August 12, 2026, 05:21:10 PMThere's still hope for Diesel 10 to have his body lowered to cover the gap, and for the claw to pinch.
I know they had to modify Rebecca's front buffer beam slightly because it's a bit too long and they don't want it to grind her front coupling, so I'm sure Mattel would let some changes done for D10.
That and what Bachmann did with Sir Handel's model, give me hope for Diesel 10's model fixing some things that CGI changed.
After seeing the live stream earlier today, I'm glad they're considering the "gap" issue that's been plaguing Diesel 10 and also since it works in their favor to ensure that it's fitted onto the chassis, making it like the "model" hybrid of sorts, fans can rest easy that they're keeping that in mind.
I'm wondering what everyone's planning to run with their Diesel 10, if anything (I can't recall him ever pulling anything in the TV series)? Light engine? Scrap train?
I know I'm excited to have him pull the express! I can't remember, but I saw someone's YouTube video of him pulling it in the background. Very appropriate for a warship, but also a very strange look with his industrial paint scheme and claw!
Quote from: SNER on August 17, 2026, 01:33:47 PMI'm wondering what everyone's planning to run with their Diesel 10, if anything (I can't recall him ever pulling anything in the TV series)? Light engine? Scrap train?
I know I'm excited to have him pull the express! I can't remember, but I saw someone's YouTube video of him pulling it in the background. Very appropriate for a warship, but also a very strange look with his industrial paint scheme and claw!
Diesel 10 with scrap trucks would go hard, also no he's not been seen pulling anything in the show.