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Discussion Boards => Thomas & Friends => Topic started by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 13, 2012, 05:57:48 PM

Title: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 13, 2012, 05:57:48 PM
Hey guys! Just a little update on things in the Thomas world. But before that... Coming in 2013 HO scale Chuggington Locomotives, Rolling Stock, and Accessories. I don't watch that show but I just thought i would mention it. Anyway...  I just got back from my day at the iHobby show in Cleveland and it was very wonderful. I meet so many friendly people working for Bachmann and even other companies. One man that i really started talking to was Douglas Blaine. He is the Vice President of Marketing. He was awesome to talk to about current and newer Thomas items.

Some new things i saw were Emily, S. C. Ruffy, The new Thomas Christmas Set, as well as the Break Van in G gauge. They are very amazing to see. The break van has a completely new look! It has white buffers, nice gray paint work, and get this...... It says N W on the sides of it!! It looks great. Emily and S. C. Ruffy look fairly the same as the HO models. I also found out that Emily has the same powered wheels as the HO version, The big drive wheel and the one right before it.

I looked and asked about Duck. There was not a model of him there but i did get some news about him. They are working hard to get him just right and he should be arriving December to early 2013.

Release Dates:

G gauge
Emily  October
S. C. Ruffy  November
Break Van   November
Christmas set   I think it said December but don't quote me on that

HO Gauge
Duck   December to early 2013.
Ice Cream Van    Out now

We did talk about some other things about some new engines and ideas for them as well as some things to improve on. Another thing I asked was how they decided to make the faces for each engine. That was cool to find out. One engine in particular that we talked about was HO James and how it could be improved. I don't want to say to much more beyond that unless I have permission to say so.


All in all I had a great time and i can't wait for whats to come!!
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 13, 2012, 06:15:40 PM
Sounded like a good show, it would be a nice surprise of Duck appeared on the Christmas market. The Break van sounds interesting, and the HO James sound as if they are in talks about updating him. Could you post the pictures you took?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 13, 2012, 06:35:18 PM
Yes, i'm uploading them on my computer right now. Hopefully they came out ok.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: thomasj219 on October 13, 2012, 07:07:15 PM
BACHMANN is making Chuggington?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Anthony P2 on October 13, 2012, 07:18:46 PM
Quote from: Rickenbacker 325 on October 13, 2012, 05:57:48 PM
Hey guys! Just a little update on things in the Thomas world. But before that... Coming in 2013 HO scale Chuggington Locomotives, Rolling Stock, and Accessories. I don't watch that show but I just thought i would mention it. Anyway...

O_o a sign the world is coming to an end! would have never thought bachmann would make the competition to Thomas.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 13, 2012, 07:35:22 PM
Bachmann made underground Ernie (even worse than chuggington!) I didn't know there was a market for HO chuggington.  I may get one as a test!
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: panniertankboy8751 on October 13, 2012, 10:01:09 PM
Chu- CHUGGINGTON?!?!?

Really, even after their downright self destruction that was Underground Ernie?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Cheeky_ULP on October 13, 2012, 10:21:11 PM
Please tell me Chuggington is some kind of prank just to get this thread attention or something. If it is I'd be so much happier. I wouldn't even be mad, but don't scare us like that.

I can only see this going like, maybe the main character and a set? If this is true, no wonder the HO range has been so dry rolling stock wise.  :-\

I do hope the part about James being redone is true though, that's been on a lot of wish lists.  :)
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 13, 2012, 11:05:02 PM
Nope, all of this is 100% true. They had concept drawings on a TV screen. When I get home i will scan the brochure and post it.
Edit: Nothing with James is set in stone. I only pointed it out to him for improvements.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Cheeky_ULP on October 13, 2012, 11:13:50 PM
Well they're at least considering.

Bachmann doing Chuggington, but in return doing revisions of Thomas, Percy and James and other things in the range needing revisions would be an alright trade off.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Chaz on October 14, 2012, 12:18:47 AM
I met with Doug Blaine about 8 months ago when he was in town with the Bach-man at World's Greatest Hobby on tour, very nice man!  So is the Bach-man, did you talk to him as well?

I'm very anxious to see the large scale brake van, you'll have to keep us posted on the video. :)

Fingers crossed on the James update!  It's also understandable about why you want to keep things secret with what they told you earlier too.  If we really do get revisions, plus some rolling stock like the red coaches and Trevor for next year I'll be perfectly fine with that.  Plus with the Duck model most likely coming out in 2013 it's just more of a reason to look forward to next year.

Glad to see you had fun at the ihobby show!
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 12:30:53 AM
I saw them all today. The NW on the brake van are in white and have lettering on the bottom like the ventilated van has. I also notice that both this year and last time I saw the new and old Thomas layout they have, Henry will always be causing trouble and not stay on the track.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 14, 2012, 12:39:08 PM
I am so surprised that bachmann is making chuggington.  A couple of questions...

Do they have moving eyes?  And do they use uk style or American style couplings?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 01:12:45 PM
Hi Shawn, I didn't really talk about that with them. The pictures on the TV didn't really show it. I would guess the engines would have moving eyes but im not 100% sure.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: PasqualeCS96 on October 14, 2012, 03:22:35 PM
HO Chuggington, seriously? This would never suit his grace, plus there are plenty of things that could still be done in the Thomas range: Oliver, Toad, Red Coaches, Trevor, Arry and Bert, perhaps more face having rolling stock.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 03:34:17 PM
Just because Chuggington is coming, doesnt mean that the Thomas ranging is stopping. They are going to come out with some great stuff. Trust me ;D
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: branmas on October 14, 2012, 04:42:07 PM
But even if they redo Thomas, Percy, and James, if they gave them CGI faces, I would PRIZE my Bachmann Thomas! Trust me, I HATE CGI. And how they're turning all shows into CGI. *Sigh* I wish we could have TRUE Thomas back. With the models, and proper scripts, and DUCK! DONALD! DOUGLAS! OLIVER! TOAD! We want them back!  >:(
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 14, 2012, 04:46:50 PM
Quote from: Brandude!!! =D on October 14, 2012, 04:42:07 PM
But even if they redo Thomas, Percy, and James, if they gave them CGI faces, I would PRIZE my Bachmann Thomas! Trust me, I HATE CGI. And how they're turning all shows into CGI. *Sigh* I wish we could have TRUE Thomas back. With the models, and proper scripts, and DUCK! DONALD! DOUGLAS! OLIVER! TOAD! We want them back!  >:(

S17 will bring new beginings
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 05:13:30 PM
One other thing to mention is I did ask about DCC on the engines and they have talked about it.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Cheeky_ULP on October 14, 2012, 05:33:46 PM
Quote from: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 05:28:21 PM
(http://img_0523.jpg)
(http://img_0522.jpg)
(http://img_0521.jpg)
(http://img_0520.jpg)

Here are the pics!
You have to upload them to a website like Imageshack, Tinypic, or Photobucket.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 05:39:22 PM
Ok, Thank you. I'm doing that now, I didn't know lol

(http://<a%20href="http://tinypic.com?ref=rtlts1"%20target="_blank"><img%20src="http://i48.tinypic.com/rtlts1.jpg"%20border="0"%20alt="Image%20and%20video%20hosting%20by%20TinyPic"></a>)
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Anthony P2 on October 14, 2012, 05:53:13 PM
still can't see them.  :(
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 14, 2012, 05:54:11 PM
Upload them to imageshack after they finish copy the forum code.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Cheeky_ULP on October 14, 2012, 05:54:39 PM
Quote from: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 05:39:22 PM
Ok, Thank you. I'm doing that now, I didn't know lol

Edit: here try this
(http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/440/img0520eu.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img266/8717/img0521x.jpg) (was Thomas and Percy from what I saw but it disappeared)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img10/5515/img0522jg.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img513/7612/img0523ul.jpg)

That NW brake van is gorgeous, I want it in HO scale.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 05:57:26 PM
For some reason 3 of the 6 pictures are not showing up? The other pics were of Thomas, Percy, James, and Emily. The Christmas set. And the freight cars

(http://i49.tinypic.com/28cdrg8.jpg)
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 14, 2012, 05:58:58 PM
Try again if they dont work upload them to another site.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 06:03:06 PM
Quote from: donaldthescotishtwin on October 14, 2012, 05:58:58 PM
Try again if they dont work upload them to another site.
I tried 3 sites and they all are a blank file, even when i double click them on my computer they won't come up. Sorry guys!
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 14, 2012, 06:06:56 PM
Well i can see them, they are beautiful, i want that breakvan.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: PasqualeCS96 on October 14, 2012, 06:08:22 PM
The Breakvan is nice, but what does the N W stand for?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 14, 2012, 06:15:12 PM
Quote from: PasqualeCS96 on October 14, 2012, 06:08:22 PM
The Breakvan is nice, but what does the N W stand for?

North Western, in the RWS the name of the railway was North Western Railway.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 06:22:32 PM
(http://i47.tinypic.com/vd2sjs.jpg)
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: donaldthescottishtwin on October 14, 2012, 06:28:05 PM
My reaction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27RVJJfny4I
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 14, 2012, 06:36:29 PM
Did you get any pictures of the chuggington concept art?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 06:53:34 PM
Quote from: Shawn on October 14, 2012, 06:36:29 PM
Did you get any pictures of the chuggington concept art?
No sadly, My phone died in the middle of it
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 14, 2012, 07:02:36 PM
What did it look like?

Is that all of the brochure?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 07:10:38 PM
I believe they were just the art from the show, the CGI part. The rest of the brochure is the PDF from the beginning of the summer.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 14, 2012, 07:14:06 PM
Ok.  Do you mind if I use a cropped version of the above picture for a youtube video?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Rickenbacker 325 on October 14, 2012, 07:19:21 PM
Yes, go ahead. Just as long as you give me credit for it. Not to be picky
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: shining time on October 14, 2012, 09:54:46 PM
Well the large scale stuff looks good but  still think the chuggington range will be a bad Idea
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: jettrainfan on October 14, 2012, 11:20:14 PM
I actually went to that show today with 2 of my friends (i don't think it was worth the $10 to get in but that's besides the point) and the first thing i said to the one was that the Thomas fans will be mad... and in a way, i was right  :)

Either way, im gonna throw in my two cents... sense i come and go on the Thomas part of the board. The main market for the chuggington model trains is young kids, probably 6-10 range. Believe it or not, this actually might be a good marketing idea. I've only seen 2 full episodes and can tell why kids like it. In a way, it reminded me of the classic Thomas, before all of the "can you find the square?" or "Which engine takes which cars?" stuff came along. The second friend liked the idea and wanted to buy all 3 locos for open houses... this blew my mind actually. Thomas was a smash hit for the 2 open houses i ran him at, before that, I've heard the famous question "where's Thomas?" I've never heard a little kid call out anything else... but after seeing leokinvideo's different reviews, there just may be a market. So lets give these models a chance, and maybe, just maybe, there will be chuggington fans in the Thomas board. It's Thomas & friends for a reason  ;) For the creative folks, this just might be a chance to start chuggington model train series and possible combining of the 2 for model train series. We'll see what time brings, i wish the best to bachmann, and a bright future to these new products.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 14, 2012, 11:41:47 PM
Quote from: jettrainfan on October 14, 2012, 11:20:14 PM
I actually went to that show today with 2 of my friends (i don't think it was worth the $10 to get in but that's besides the point) and the first thing i said to the one was that the Thomas fans will be mad... and in a way, i was right  :)

Either way, im gonna throw in my two cents... sense i come and go on the Thomas part of the board. The main market for the chuggington model trains is young kids, probably 6-10 range. Believe it or not, this actually might be a good marketing idea. I've only seen 2 full episodes and can tell why kids like it. In a way, it reminded me of the classic Thomas, before all of the "can you find the square?" or "Which engine takes which cars?" stuff came along. The second friend liked the idea and wanted to buy all 3 locos for open houses... this blew my mind actually. Thomas was a smash hit for the 2 open houses i ran him at, before that, I've heard the famous question "where's Thomas?" I've never heard a little kid call out anything else... but after seeing leokinvideo's different reviews, there just may be a market. So lets give these models a chance, and maybe, just maybe, there will be chuggington fans in the Thomas board. It's Thomas & friends for a reason  ;) For the creative folks, this just might be a chance to start chuggington model train series and possible combining of the 2 for model train series. We'll see what time brings, i wish the best to bachmann, and a bright future to these new products.

I am glad someone is finally being positive.  I don't like chuggington,  but these models (considering how well they have been doing w/thomas) will be MIRRORS of what they are on the television series,  and That would be a sight to see
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: therailwayinspector on October 15, 2012, 04:21:26 AM
Quote from: Rickenbacker 325 on October 13, 2012, 05:57:48 PM

Another thing I asked was how they decided to make the faces for each engine. That was cool to find out.

So what did they say about the faces? Anything about what we can expect from Duck too?

Those photos you got look stunning- really makes me want the Large Scales even more now. Must get a job... or win the lottery- I know which I'd prefer.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Cirkit:) on October 15, 2012, 04:37:54 PM
I was just as surprised at the idea of Chuggington in HO.
Might be interesting to see how they do the coupling system, and the coupling rods on Pete(if they do decide to release him).
I would think that the main 3 would be released, plus a small variety of ridiculous rolling stock, a massive caboose, and figurines of the few human characters.
Then, if the range's popularity increased, Pete, Harrison, and possibly Action Chugger most likely would follow.
I'd love to see how they would pull off Action Chugger, or if the eyes on the characters would move like the Thomas engines.

The Large-Scale Thomas items look great, they really nailed Emily's face. Glad to see SCRuffey in a darker grey, and the NW on the brake van is a welcome surprise- glad they're listening!
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: thomasj219 on October 15, 2012, 06:05:51 PM
I could be wrong but I have a feeling the "Chugger" brand will be limited and may fizzle after the second or third year.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: PasqualeCS96 on October 15, 2012, 06:33:02 PM
Quote from: thomasj219 on October 15, 2012, 06:05:51 PM
I could be wrong but I have a feeling the "Chugger brand will be limited and may fizzle after the second year.
I agree, where did you hear that from?
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: thomasj219 on October 15, 2012, 07:43:13 PM
My head  ;) why is said "I have a feeling."
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Shawn on October 15, 2012, 09:38:01 PM
I looked closely at the leaflet, and we see we have a official stock list for the first year

-Wilson
-Koko
-Brewster
-Box Car
-low sided wagon
-flat wagon
-hopper
-passenger carriage
- Vee

More rolling stock but less other things than thomas' first year
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: PasqualeCS96 on October 15, 2012, 10:05:06 PM
It will be interesting to see how Bachmann will do these "Chuggers" considering the show contains engines of diffferent international classes, unlike Thomas which has mostly British Engines with the exception of Hiro, Hank, and Victor.
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: Cirkit:) on October 15, 2012, 10:28:23 PM
Quote from: Shawn on October 15, 2012, 09:38:01 PM
I looked closely at the leaflet, and we see we have a official stock list for the first year

-Wilson
-Koko
-Brewster
-Box Car
-low sided wagon
-flat wagon
-hopper
-passenger carriage
- Vee

More rolling stock but less other things than thomas' first year

I wonder what the 'low sided wagon' will look like.
I imagine most of the bogies on the wagons will look similar to the bogies on the Talking Chuggington toys. Should be interesting to see how they will turn out.
Who knows, maybe with a little modification, the wagons will be useful for adding on to the Thomas range as well...
Title: Re: iHobby Show
Post by: thetanksofthomas on October 23, 2012, 07:40:28 PM
Quote from: Shawn on October 15, 2012, 09:38:01 PM
I looked closely at the leaflet, and we see we have a official stock list for the first year

-Wilson
-Koko
-Brewster
-Box Car
-low sided wagon
-flat wagon
-hopper
-passenger carriage
- Vee

More rolling stock but less other things than thomas' first year

:o :o :o well not a surprise