Dear Thomas & Friends customers:
These are all the new Thomas products we will be offering in 2014. There will be no other announcements until the 2015 Toy Fair. Enjoy! :) :)
Bachmann Trains
HO Scale
Red Coach (Item No. 76038)
Red Brake Coach (Item No. 76039)
Thomas & Friends™ Resin Buildings: Maithwaite Station (Item No. 35901), Black Lock Folly (Item No. 35902), Signal Box (Item No. 35903), and Brendam Warehouse (Item No. 35904)
Announced in 2013, arriving sometime in 2014
Iron 'Arry (Item No. 58812)
Iron Bert (Item No. 58813)
Troublesome Truck #4 (Item No. 77020)
Jeremy (Item No. 42440)
Large Scale
Open Wagon - Red (Item No. 98013)
Cream Tanker (Item No. 98014)
Announced in 2013, arriving sometime in 2014
Raspberry Tank Car (Item No. 98011)
Open Wagon - Blue (Item No. 98012)
I thought they weren't supposed to be announced until after the Toy Fair? oh well, I'm not complaining. ;D nice to see the the Red Coaches are going to be made! I think I'm more excited about the resin buildings. ;) Good choices this year!
THE RED COACHES!!!! Can't tell you how happy I am. (Personally planning on getting 5 regular and three brake) Shame about no new engines this year, for G too, but it's not like we don't have a lot to buy this year. Go resin buildings and red coaches!!
Don't forget the sound fitted Thomas.
It's understandable Bachmann skipped making an engine this year, the range is already full of choices and Arry and Bert aren't out yet.
To add, we're getting some great looking buildings and the long-anticipated Red Coaches! I'd say this years announcements were pretty great.
Interesting range. The resin buildings will be nice for people who missed out on another brand's ones.
Quote from: Shawn on February 16, 2014, 12:29:58 PM
Interesting range. The resin buildings will be nice for people who missed out on another brand's ones.
the H company particularly.
At least the red branchline coaches got announced. I hope we'll get engines next year. Hopefully two, like Oliver and Stepney.
I hope we'll get pictures of Bachmann 'Arry and Bert soon. :-\
Were there any pictures of any of the models?
This is certainly a huge highlight for Bachmann as the red coaches have been a high demand for a very long time! I'll be ordering a few coaches as well as a brake coach too. A HUGE thank you to Bachmann for listening to the fans on this one! :)
So my final thoughts on this year. So there are no new engines this year, and I'll be honest once every single product from last year was delayed I sort of saw this coming. I know everyone was expecting Oliver and other engines to join the range, but honestly with everything held back it is more than understandable why Bachmann haven't added a new engine this year. I'm sure next year we will see one join the range. Despite this, I think everything that was announced this year was pretty good, and honestly better than last year's announcements. Sure Arry and Bert were a given, but they weren't the ones everyone originally wanted, and Jeremy was by no means a welcome addition when he was announced by a large majority of members (as many of you may remember). So getting the rolling stock everyone has been demanding for so many years, as well as some high quality resin buildings is a huge improvement over last year's announcements.
I'll say this again, but thank you so much Bachmann for continuing to listen to the fans even to this very day! Marketing has always been a challenge but the quality of products still shines even today. Looking forward to these new products!
If they did announce an engine this year, it wouldn't really get released until the next year anyway. At least 'Arry and Bert are to look forward to.
Wow! :)
awesome definitely getting the red coaches
Nice to see the Red Coaches getting made, might need to complete my own attempt now.
(http://puu.sh/6YSNy.jpg)
Jack
We can't all be pleased all of the time - there'll be many upset they didn't announce Stepney, Boco, Stanley, Hiro, Molly, Billy..................
I'm delighted that the branch line coaches are being announced - the first of ANY range to do so unless I'm mistaken? At last, we have some more stock for the likes of Duck, Percy and co who wouldn't normally pull express carriages. I shall certainly be getting quite a few, and I dare say if made well, they'll appeal to UK modellers of the non-Thomas scene who could respray them into various liveries too.
I am waiting with baited breath.
Quote from: Fergusfan17 on February 16, 2014, 06:30:38 PM
[EDIT] Well, Chaz, if they listen to the fans, why was there no Oliver?
Well. No Oliver. :-[ I am pretty sad right now. ...
I think we are taking this a tad far. The range already has nearly 20 engines and we have had a steady release every year since 2005.
I hate to be so blunt, but some need to be more grateful they have kept all the engines in the range still and that we have been getting what we want for years now. We've been somewhat spoiled by Bachmann. We got all the engines for series 1, most of 2 and even some of the s6 and s7 engines. Give them a break. Bachmann is still listening to fans. The coaches are a prime example...
Concurred. Plus in all honesty we haven't had a decent building (or rolling stock for that matter) for a very long time. So seeing high quality resin buildings and rolling stock that has been anticipated for years really is a nice treat. Sure it's not a new engine, but as I said earlier it's understandable why they are taking a break this year for HO.
Like I said in my earlier post, (before I deleted it), I think if anything got the short end of the stick this year it was the large scale line since they are only getting repainted wagons and tankers this year.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you, as they say.
Yes I am really pleased about HO coaches. And yes, 'Arry and Bert are coming so it's not like there is NOTHING to open in 2014.
But... would have loved to have seen a Large Scale Edward (Or any Large Scale Thomas loco for that matter...) join the already fantastic range. And maybe a mail coach too! Partly because by 2016 (which is likely when the next items will be out) I will be far too close to 30 for comfort and still buying Thomas :-\
So Bachmann, how about a surprise later on in the year..? It's happened before.
Please!
Actually Mark, don't feel too bad about age. Lots of Thomas modelers, especially large scale, are fairly older collectors so in that sense you are never too old for model railroading, regardless of era or locomotives. :)
Quote from: therailwayinspector on February 17, 2014, 03:47:46 AM
We can't all be pleased all of the time - there'll be many upset they didn't announce Stepney, Boco, Stanley, Hiro, Molly, Billy..................
People actually wanted Molly and Billy? Since when? :P Replacing Billy and Molly with Oliver and Daisy respectively sounds more accurate to me.
Is there a sufficient demand to support producing characters that have had relatively small screen time? Bachmann have already produced most of the more popular characters and although fans may ask for some of the lesser known ones, the chance of them being made is rather slim. It'd be a far better move to get some modelling tools and start building your own, it's a great way to learn skills and far more satisfying than simply getting a model out of a box and placing it on some track. ;)
Will be placing orders for Arry and Bert at some point this year.
Jack
I think my sarcastic point was missed here........
they are also doing a water tower item no. 45242
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_259_260&products_id=5694
I thought Bachmann already did a water tower
Yes, but it was based on a plasticville water tower.
A new water tower is always welcome, glad they threw that one in there! Hopefully we will have more info on the new products coming soon in the 2014 catalog. I hear it's out now, so hopefully it will be posted online soon.
EDIT: I just looked up the new products at Walthers, the water tower will actually be a kit as opposed to another resin building. Still a good addition to the range nonetheless. :)
anybody else notice the catalogue was out? FYI there are pictures of the Iron twins as well as the TT #4 in there and they look very nice! ;)
Quote from: Anthony P2 on February 24, 2014, 10:20:53 PM
anybody else notice the catalogue was out? FYI there are pictures of the Iron twins as well as the TT #4 in there and they look very nice! ;)
WHERE???
Well time for me to express my thoughts on the new products that were shown in the photos (Thanks Sparks for the photos).
(http://puu.sh/79Cq8.jpg)
To get the worst out of the way, I honestly am not too impressed with troublesome truck 4 since it's a green six ton wagon with a CGI face. It's not the CGI face that gets me, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting something along the lines of a van repaint (similar to the one with the ice cream wagon) with a new face. I probably won't be getting this one.
(http://puu.sh/79Cx0.jpg)
Arry and Bert look exactly as how I pictured them. Repaints with no ladders and have CGI faces as well. For what they are though, despite the obvious design choice I think they look great. Not characters who I have been keen on getting but I'm sure they'll satisfy the fans who have been anxious for them. :)
(http://puu.sh/79CuU.jpg)
The illustration for the new water tower looks fairly good so far, but the actual model itself I am sure will look great. Same with the red coaches, with both having no photos revealed of them so far. Nice we finally got an insight to the new products, and I'm looking forward to seeing more soon.
So my final thoughts on what we got this year... It was a real hit and miss. I think the things that were great additions (like the buildings and red coaches) were all good ideas and I am sure will sell well, and I imagine Arry and Bert will do well too. Troublesome truck #4, Jeremy, and the large scale rolling stock however I think were the misses since I have a feeling these will not be quite as popular as the other additions. So overall, I think we did good this year and as always I am looking forward to the new additions to come soon. :)
I agree, TT#4 wasn't what I was expecting. But with what we have shown, but could it possibly be a prototype? Just was curious
I must confess I too was hoping for a van (preferably the Salt Van) and the choice of wagon is a bit odd I feel. It has the CGI Promo face (which I think we were all expecting), but doesn't look right on a truck that low. However, it's another wagon with a face, and for those that missed the wagon in its previous guise, it's another chance to obtain; it can always be repainted.
Arry and Bert are another 'as expected' . We all knew really they would gain CGI faces as indeed they have. It may just be me but does anyone else think Arry has just a little too much stubble?
Nevertheless, they both look great and I shall certainly be adding them to my collection when released.
The water tower is a nice last-minute addition to the range and I'm glad they're adding it - with the station and other buildings announced this year I think it's a nice accompaniment and would do well in a yard or around the sheds.
Honestly, Troublesome Truck 4 feels redundant when we already have the Coal Wagon.
(http://cdn-29.create.net/siteimages/29/1/7/291795/49/4/7/4947787/390x218.jpg)
Loving the water tower though.
Bachmann needs to update their photos in the online catalog.
I think Arry and Bert look quite good. I rather have the current face opposed to the cheesy smiles in CAE!
Any idea when these are for release? (Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter)
Troublesome Truck #4, although different from what I expected, looks fine to me. Is the truck smiling, sad, or surprised?
Definitely getting Mathwaite and the signal box when they arrive too.
It is ridiculously hard to tell what sort of expression is on the new Troublesome Truck.
It's almost as if the mouth has been blurred on purpose, to keep us guessing!
I'm going to bet that it's smiling, though.
Shame. We need more scowling, mean-looking Troublesome Trucks behind (or in front of) our engines.
I quite agree about the faces on Arry and Bert. Better the CG smiles than those cheesy CAE smiles. At least here I can squint and imagine them looking meaner.
Can't wait for those coaches or those buildings either. The coaches would look great behind Duck, Edward, James.. or being stolen and hidden in the sidings by Arry and Bert :p
Quote from: Chaz on February 25, 2014, 12:38:15 AM
Well time for me to express my thoughts on the new products that were shown in the photos (Thanks Sparks for the photos).
(http://puu.sh/79Cq8.jpg)
To get the worst out of the way, I honestly am not too impressed with troublesome truck 4 since it's a green six ton wagon with a CGI face. It's not the CGI face that gets me, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting something along the lines of a van repaint (similar to the one with the ice cream wagon) with a new face. I probably won't be getting this one.
(http://puu.sh/79Cx0.jpg)
Arry and Bert look exactly as how I pictured them. Repaints with no ladders and have CGI faces as well. For what they are though, despite the obvious design choice I think they look great. Not characters who I have been keen on getting but I'm sure they'll satisfy the fans who have been anxious for them. :)
(http://puu.sh/79CuU.jpg)
The illustration for the new water tower looks fairly good so far, but the actual model itself I am sure will look great. Same with the red coaches, with both having no photos revealed of them so far. Nice we finally got an insight to the new products, and I'm looking forward to seeing more soon.
So my final thoughts on what we got this year... It was a real hit and miss. I think the things that were great additions (like the buildings and red coaches) were all good ideas and I am sure will sell well, and I imagine Arry and Bert will do well too. Troublesome truck #4, Jeremy, and the large scale rolling stock however I think were the misses since I have a feeling these will not be quite as popular as the other additions. So overall, I think we did good this year and as always I am looking forward to the new additions to come soon. :)
ah well, better luck for Troublesome Truck #5. look out for a strawpoll for Troublesome Truck #5.
Does anyone (or the forum mods) know of the release date(s) of the red coaches or the new buildings or the speed-activated sound Thomas? Haven't heard any updates on that last one yet at all.
At current, here is what I have found as far as release dates:
Estimated - 3-15-14
Sound Thomas
Arry
Bert
TT #4
The list above was for 2/28, and I suspect it will be pushed back again like last year.
As far as the buildings and coaches, they probably won't come around until late this year or next year.
I think considering that we have pictures of the buildings, we may get them towards the end of the year, though I'm not too sure about the coaches, considering how TT#4 was announced last year and won't be released until this year