Please visit this link: http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_259_262&products_id=5907
No delivery date for Oliver yet.
What a surprise Bachmann! Kudos to you! And before the New York Toy Fair as well! Never saw it coming.
Oh my Thomas, he looks amazing! Thank you Bachmann!
Very interesting to see it so earlier with a release date of April or May, and I am suprised to see Toad released before the Toy Fair, just as sean1994rail mentioned above.
I wonder if the image is the exact product? It also looks like it has coupilings from the a Bachmann Branch-Line GWR Brake Van. I wonder if it is an exact repaint of one of these, with an added face, rather than Bachmann re-tooling it, to a more basic HO scale GWR Brake Van.
I wonder if this means Oliver will be released soon as well, before April or May? It looks promising that this might happen, as Toad has been released this sudden without an expectation!
Wow! I can't believe he was just released already. He came out a lot earlier than I expected. This is great! ;D I wonder what they did with Oliver. Could Toad's release be a sign that Oliver's model picture will be in this year's catalog?
Toad doesn't look bad at all. Glad that we got to see him sooner rather than later, I'm already looking forward to getting mine soon since I placed my order for him earlier.
Can't wait for Oliver next!
Personally I thought that toad would look better but that is just my opinion so don't get mad at me.
I think Toad looks really good. Very much worth the wait.
I must admit, I was hoping Bachmann's Toad would be dark grey, like the Hornby Toad. It seems like Bachmann decided and they have released Toad in his light grey livery, from the CGI Series. I do prefer Toad in his dark grey livery, than his light grey though. Still, despite this, Bachmann have done an excellent job, and I like the look of him, if that is the actual product shown.
Seeing how this is most likely the production model, I say Bachmann has done it again. I don't mind the lighter gray color, and considering his concept image last year in the catalog, it's not false advertising. I especially love the hand brake detail inside, like we saw in sharper detail in Toad's Adventure and Toad's Bright Idea.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #9 By MeagnekkoFury1126: No, Bachmann Toad being grey when it's illustrational image released, being grey was not false advertising. I suspected that Bachmann's Toad would be based off the CGI Toad, after Bachmann releasing an illustration of the CGI Toad, and another give-a-way is that Bachmann for the past 6 year's, have been focusing the Thomas & Friends range in the CGI era.
Toad looks great!! Especially the brake lever in his cab... I've never been a fan of Thomas' original brake van (it's virtually unpainted in HO) so maybe Toad will be following many freight trains on my railroad in the days to come :)
Although Oliver and Toad aren't my favorite characters, they hold a special place in my heart because they were the first "new" characters to the TV series that came along when I was old enough to remember learning about them. I remember getting the video tape where Oliver falls down the turntable well, and instantly wanted to have his Ertl and wooden models. Sadly, both models were hard to find at that point in time... But when I got them both, I was sure happy! Soon I will be able to continue this cherished tradition with Bachmann!! ;)
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #11 By SportyPup: I quite like Bachmann's standard Thomas & Friends Brake Van. I must also point out, that Toad should only be coupled up to the end of freight trains, that "Mr. Oliver" is pulling!
Memories like that SportyPup, are nice. I have memories of similar stories like that!
Do remember in Toad's Adventure and Toad's Bright Idea that Toad trailed behind trains led by James and Gator respectively, so Toad can trail behind any train a Thomas enthusiast wants to.
Quote from: MeganekkoFury1126 on February 09, 2016, 07:13:53 AM
Do remember in Toad's Adventure and Toad's Bright Idea that Toad trailed behind trains led by James and Gator respectively, so Toad can trail behind any train a Thomas enthusiast wants to.
Not to mention the events of "Toad Stands By" showing he was Douglas's brakevan for awhile...
~Alex
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #13 By MeagnekkoFury1126: I have not seen those Episodes, but generally, Toad is Oliver's Brake Van.
Right but people can do what they want, but I have to say saying things like "Toad should only be coupled behind Oliver " is what creates the feeling of tension that you say you don't want. People don't like being told what to do on their model railways, nor that what they like to do is "wrong", even if in some regards, show accuracy, it is. Live and let live, there is no wrong way to model Thomas. Just your way.
Not what I was saying at all. Merely stating a fact. It can't be denied that the climate of this forum has changed, and for all the people who constantly wonder why, statements like that, and yours honestly, add to it. The attitude that someone always knows what is best no matter what your opinion might be may not bother you but it is tiresome to others, again I say even if that's not the way the statement is intended, that is how it comes off. When someone keeps asking why other users are annoyed with this behavior and then continues to perpetuate it, it becomes even more tiresome. Honestly just tying to help. Think of the boy who cried wolf, in a way. Annoying after a while.
I have barely posted on this forum in recent months but honestly, saying " here's a tip don't bother doing so on a forum centered around Thomas the tank engine, rant over, back on topic" sounds a lot more like a beta male attempting to be the alpha than anything I've read on here in a while. ::) Just because Thomas is for kids doesn't mean we have to act like them.
If you want to rant. Have something worth ranting about.
And just like that the comments disappear. Anyway! Toad looks great!
Well that's one way to solve a problem.
Toad does look wonderful. They seem to have gone with a mixed era face. Either that or the CGI face toad looks a lot like the model face.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #19 By thomasj219: I believe that Toad's face is the same in the model era and the CGI era.
Agreed. It may not be exact but it is very similar. Thoughts?
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #21 By thomasj219: Toad's eyebrows have defiantly been boarded up and a slightly darker grey to me, has been used for his eyebrows in the CGI era, compared to the model era.
Quote from: thomasj219 on February 09, 2016, 07:51:05 PM
Agreed. It may not be exact but it is very similar. Thoughts?
Personally I don't care if it CGI or Classic because the product itself looks good, I mean look at Skarloey, CGI, but easily one of the best model released in the whole series. So my thoughts are positive!
Comparison between his model and CGI render .
(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/8/89/ToadStandsBy33.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/320?cb=20150402002708)
(http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/b/b6/ToadCGIpromo.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/320?cb=20140901213425)
By the look of the of the Bachmann Toad, I could hardly see a difference. ;)
Cool!:)
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #24 By AJW98Productions: You can tell some difference between Toad's model face and CGI face. The CGI face looks more dynamic to me as well, but that is obviously the CGI Animation effect it gives.
Quote from: thomasj219 on February 09, 2016, 04:00:27 PM
Right but people can do what they want, but I have to say saying things like "Toad should only be coupled behind Oliver " is what creates the feeling of tension that you say you don't want. People don't like being told what to do on their model railways, nor that what they like to do is "wrong", even if in some regards, show accuracy, it is. Live and let live, there is no wrong way to model Thomas. Just your way.
I believe you are right, As previously stated Toad has been pulled by Douglas in Oliver owns up, James in Toad's adventure and Gator in Toad's bright idea. Also I would like to point out, has anyone noticed that his buffers seem to be grey, giving him a more defined look which I really like.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #27 By mully: I have only just noticed that Toad's buffers are grey, since you have just mentioned it! I do think, however, that Toad looks better with black buffers.
Just got an email from Hobby Linc that my Bachmann Toad will be shipping next week and that they already have him in stock. Looking forward to it!
Ooh, how exciting Chaz! I am also looking forward to grabbing one in a few weeks!
^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #29 By Chaz: Please post pictures of Toad on the Forum please Chaz, when Percy delivers it, in his Sodor Mail Train!
Someone already has gotten Toad:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/10338327_810215309105968_5674303770155266262_n.jpg?oh=f816cb07eb611931c991135d9d7a2fa9&oe=5761E9F1
And it seems like Bachmann replicated Him pretty spot on, I mean, they even put the lettering on only one side:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/12743962_810215602439272_8040469864134981636_n.jpg?oh=2c3565e3d87af85715b9f4ea9da7453c&oe=5764BD7F
Not exactly fond of the fact that ARC was really lazy and couldn't put it on both sides, but kudos to Bachmann for noticing it. Personally, if I was Bachmann, I would've put it on both sides because it looks pretty bland with nothing there, as compared to the other side.
Also, not really fond of the fact that they couldn't include lamps, seeing as he's obviously based off the CGI model, and there was only one time he didn't have a lamp, and that was just one of them not there, so he's always had at least one lamp.
EDIT: Here's a photo of Bachmann Toad against Hornby Oliver:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12717306_810224275771738_5283492712315536408_n.jpg?oh=a40c94e2a27607c42f2b282dd1843b6e&oe=57636C6D
The face seems really squashed, but that's due to the reused tooling, so I understand why.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #32 By JD417: Thank you for those pictures. Yes, Toad's face does look squashed. Still, he does look good.
I am surprised somebody has managed to get one so quickly! I would not have thought model shops would get them in so quickly. I doubt that person would have bought Toad over the Internet, with only Bachmann's first delivery on this Monday, just gone!
There's some really worrying things in those images. Why is the flash (not camera flash, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_%28manufacturing%29 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_%28manufacturing%29) plastic flash) so bad on the windows? It's kind of disappointing too that the decals were only put on one side. I never noticed this issue with Arcs model until someone pointed it out in this thread. There also seems to be a paint issue on the second photo:
http://puu.sh/n4P6X/48b43565e6.jpg
I want to be excited for having a Toad model, but there's some red flags going on... Hopefully this is an anomaly.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #34 By Sparks: Why is it worrying if the person who took the pictures of Toad, didn't use flash? How does not using flash on the camera, spoil the product?
That's what I'm saying. Someone took a sucky picture that doesn't do the model justice; don't panic, guys. Wait for better pics.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #36 By Racing James!: Yes, those pictures of rubbish, but at least we get an idea of what Toad looks like. Better pictures will come along soon, by somebody on this Forum, I am sure!
Guys... I specifically said in my post I wasn't referring to camera flash. Flash is excess plastic that comes about during manufacturing.
(http://www.plastictroubleshooter.com/ThePlasticTroubleshooter/images/FlashOpt.jpg)
You can see some in Toads windows here:
http://puu.sh/n5cJa/0525d52df9.jpg
Like I said though, it can easily be an anomaly because of the nature of flash.
That wasn't even what I was referring to. Jacob, maybe, but I was simply talking about how the picture is just a bad picture.
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #38 By Sparks and ^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #39 By Racing James!: Oh, sorry Sparks and Racing James!. I feel like a fool now! Where you talking about pieces of plastic, that should not be on the model then?
Well, comparing the product image to the actual model, it looks like they made him appear longer in the product image for some reason. I'm glad he's pretty much to scale in model form though.
LITTLEWESTERNADVENTURES,Thanks for the info,and welcome to the forum,it is always nice to hear a new voice.Again welcome ,from all of us THOMAS & FRIENDS people !!!!!
UPTODAY
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #41 By LittleWesternAdventures: Do you own Bachmann Toad already then?
@UPTODAY: Thanks for the welcome! I'm very happy to be a part of the Bachmann Forums!
@Jacob Wilson: Soon I will! I'm comparing his actual appearance based on what few pictures and video reviews people have of him at this moment. By the looks of things Bachmann did a fantastic job!
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #44 By LittleWesternAdventures: Please post pictures of Toad when you get him somewhere on the Bachmann Trains Thomas & Friends Forum.
Toad looks amazing :D
Does anyone know anything about his release in the u.k yet? Or when they are revealing Oliver?
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #46 By Chloe Amy: Using the words "when Toad gets released in the UK" is not the correct wording. The Bachmann Thomas & Friends H0/OO Gauge range is not officially in the UK. Mark at The Diesel Works has a supplier who sells him the Bachmann Thomas & Friends H0/OO Gauge products, and he re-sells them on his website to the UK with the range. This is the easiest way to pick up the Thomas & Friends H0/OO Gauge range in the UK. This does take longer though, so we never get the new products as fast as they get released in the USA. There is no release date. It's just when Mark at The Diesel Works gets his order delivered.
" Using the words "when Toad gets released in the UK" is not the correct wording. " ... right..
anyway,
I know what it means, I'm just wondering when this will be.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #48 By Chloe Amy: Yes, using this wording: "when Toad gets released in the UK", is not the correct wording to use.
I am not sure and neither is Mark at The Diesel Works. I know Mark will keep everybody updated when he does get his Bachmann Toad order delivered, via Facebook.
Okay.
Above 1 Reply - @Reply #50 By Chloe Amy: I recommend you keep checking The Diesel Works' website and Facebook account daily, for any updates on when Mark gets his first delivery of Bachmann Toad's in stock.
If Toad is actually released, then why does the Bachmann Trains web store say: " New product coming soon"? It didn't say that before when Toad was released, and now it says it.
I'm not sure but there are a few video reviews of Toad on youtube.
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #52 By TTTEfan1992: Bachmann Trains must have sold out then. I am not suprised with how much there has been about Toad's announcement 1 year ago! Skarloey has sold out quickly and I would not be suprised if that Oliver, Rosie and Rheneas will sell out quickly as well, when they get released.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #53 By Chloe Amy: I must check those YouTube videos out then!
I know there are videos of Bachmann Toad on YouTube, and there are pictures on here of Bachmann Toad. If Toad was sold out, then Toad would just have a notice saying "Sorry this item is temporarily out of stock". That's weird, maybe they just mismarked it, or I'm wondering if that's it's prototype product. It can't be it's prototype I don't think.
I don't think they would sell their prototype Toad, I think it might be a mix up.. but I don't know :P
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #55 By TTTEfan1992: It is weird, because there is a 'Sold Out' marker on the Bachmann Trains Online Store. As you said, they must have mis-marked it.
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #55 By TTTEfan1992 and ^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #56 By Chloe Amy: The image that Bachmann have for Toad on the Online Store section, is the model of Toad, not the prototype. For some strange reason, Bachmann never released a prototype image of Toad, just the promotional image of Toad from the CGI TV Series.
I have a question for the Bachmann or Yardmaster only. I saw a video of Toad and he has a slimmer coupler than the rest of the range. Is this going to be the new coupler coming with all new rolling stock or is this just a one time thing?
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #58 By Rickenbacker 325: I know that I am not staff on this Forum, but the new Bachmann Toad's tolling has been taken from the Bachmann Branch-Line range, which is the UK Bachmann range of Bachmann Plc.
Toad having this coupiling is to do with the tooling being taken from the UK Bachmann range, but whether or not this becomes permanent with the Thomas & Friends range is a different story. I would like to, as the coupilings being more slimmer from the UK range is more realistic.
Sorry Jacob but I think you will find you are wrong there. The Bachmann Branchline UK Range is OO Gauge/4mm to the foot, whereas the Bachmann Thomas range is HO Gauge/3.5mm to the foot. They may well have used the design from the uk range but it will be a newly tooled HO Gauge model. A OO Gauge model would look very oversized.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #60 By Titanic5972: Yes, I know the Bachmann Branch-Line range is OO Gauge / 1:76 Scale, but some of the Wagon's in the Bachmann Thomas & Friends range are OO Gauge, believe it or not. I own x3 of the Bachmann Ventilated Van (Blue) and that is the same height and length as the Hornby Ventilated Van's.
I also own the discontinued Bachmann Thomas & Friends Well Wagon, and my Dad owns a fleet of Bachmann Branch-Line Well Wagon's with a Boiler on it, and the Well Wagon itself is the same height and length as the Bachmann Thomas Well Wagon.
I do find all this odd myself, but some of the Bachmann Thomas & Friends Wagon's are OO Gauge, despite all being listed as HO Gauge. I imagine Bachmann do this to save money to re-tooling the items to HO Gauge.
Here's a couple of Toad vids for anyone who wanna see :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvi3hc5rm5k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJgdXpSyaEA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWsNspGMj8w
Enjoy! :)
Quote from: Titanic5972 on February 17, 2016, 04:41:54 AM
They may well have used the design from the uk range but it will be a newly tooled HO Gauge model. A OO Gauge model would look very oversized.
That's a wrong statement. The Well Wagon, Toad, and what appears to be the new Salt Wagon, and New Cattle Wagon, are all directly used from the Bachmann Branchline Range, with no modification to the tooling, other than Toad's face, and the Well Wagon's couplings.
The Bachmann range is labeled as HO because it is a more familiar term to Americans than OO, even though the range is scaled at OO.
^^^ Above 3 Replies - @Reply #62 By Chloe Amy: Thank you for posting the links to the YouTube videos there, Chloe.
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #63 By JD417: So what I said in Reply #60 is pretty much correct? I think it is.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #64 By Sparks: Generally it is, yes, but some item like Spencer's Special Coach are HO Gauge.
Quote from: Jacob Wilson on February 17, 2016, 04:14:35 AM
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #58 By Rickenbacker 325: I know that I am not staff on this Forum, but the new Bachmann Toad's tolling has been taken from the Bachmann Branch-Line range, which is the UK Bachmann range of Bachmann Plc.
Toad having this coupiling is to do with the tooling being taken from the UK Bachmann range, but whether or not this becomes permanent with the Thomas & Friends range is a different story. I would like to, as the coupilings being more slimmer from the UK range is more realistic.
I know this already, thats why I was asking them ;)
^ Above 1 Reply - @ Reply #66 By Rickenbacker 325: Oh, sorry. I imagine Bachmann do this to save money, so they do not need re-tool the GWR Brake Van into HO Gauge.
I thought we would've heard something by now about Oliver..
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #68 By Chloe Amy: I do believe that we are all thinking that Oliver should be released by now, but he hasn't. I am starting think that we will be waiting this long for Rosie to be released as well, this time in 2017, sadly. :( :'(
That's pretty over dramatic lol
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #70 By Chloe Amy: I do have point though. Model railway products are hardly ever released on time. Creating new tooling's is a difficult process. All manufacturers in model railway's do find it difficult to release a new locomotive on time, that has new tooling. Hornby since 2010 or 2011 have been late releasing pretty everything they have released from those year's, onwards and they still are today!
They are probably working on oliver now to get him out in the summer then we will get bits of new rolling stock and then probably rhenaes by Christmas Rosie next year. But toad is out now at least.
I'm so excited for Oliver, I have Hornby Oliver but still
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #72 By mully: I heard something around Christmas time last year on this Forum of Oliver and Toad being due for a April or May release this year. Toad has been released earlier than this, so I think there a chance Oliver may get released before the Summer.
Sadly, I can't see Rosie getting released this year before Christmas, but I hope she is.
Quote from: Jacob Wilson on February 17, 2016, 11:00:54 AM
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #64 By Sparks: Generally it is, yes, but some item like Spencer's Special Coach are HO Gauge.
No Spencer's coach is reused tooling from the mainline range. All the tooling for the rolling stock (besides Annie, Clarabel, Emily's coaches, red coaches, mail cars, and the flat car with paint drums) are all reused tooling from the mainline range. The rest were completely new tooling. So all reused tooling is 00 scale while everything else is close to scale. To add, the Thomas line is labeled HO/00 scale because the two scales are interchangeable.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #75 By Anthony P2: But I own several OO Gauge Coaches of this length, and Spencer's Special Coach is the shortest in height and it looks very odd when coupled up to my Hornby Spencer. I thought it was HO Gauge Coach, as it is very short in height.
From the looks of the coupler pocket did Bachmann switch over to NEM pockets? normally you mount the over sized loop coupler right to the frame by a screw. instead i see the nice narrow loop coupler mounted in a small box on the under frame.