I only asked about Toby, I'm sorry. 

I spoke with a representative from Bachmann just yesterday about the Large Scale Toby.  He said that Toby is currently in the unpainted stage right now (Similar to the test models of Annie and Clarabel and the two trucks shown in the photo gallery).  Toby should be out before Christmas at the very latest, which is what I expect too since Emily managed to come out in less than a year and has a more complex design than Toby does. 

Out of all the large scale engines that have come out, Toby is the one I am most excited for so I can't wait to see how he turns out.

Quote from: sodorfan on August 19, 2013, 05:52:25 PM
I agree with sparks on the sound Percy, but I don't know about boco or daisy, it would be nice, but they haven't been seen for years, but then again if bear was released by the other company, then there's a chance of them being released.

Hornby's odds of doing BoCo or Daisy aren't exactly better than Bachmann's, especially with the lack of new products that only come out once every two or three years. 

As for Bachmann doing them, I find both of them to be unlikely.  Out of the two, I find BoCo to have a better shot because he has had more appearances and actually has pulled trains in the television series.  Daisy never pulled anything (including one milk wagon, which she refused).  Plus Daisy has been absent in a lot of different ranges in general, especially ones from Japan, so I find her to be out of the question.  BoCo's odds are better, but honestly not by much, due to not appearing since season 5.  Daisy hasn't appeared since season 4, minus her non-speaking role in Calling All Engines, which really doesn't redeem her chances of being made at this point.  If either of them were to be announced, I'd be completely open to it, but for now I don't see how they are going to happen.  Like everyone else has been saying, as far as classics go, Oliver has the best chance by a landslide and I think at this point he's a hard bullet for Bachmann to dodge.

I also agree with Sparks' post on Rosie.  I honestly do not see the big fascination a lot of people have with Rosie.  To me, she's just another minor character who appears on the show every now and again like Stanley or Whiff.  She simply comes in, speaks once or twice a season with no huge role, and that's pretty much it.  I agree with what everyone else has said as far as classic characters being made before her, I feel they'd be much better sellers too. 

Quote from: sodorfan on August 15, 2013, 10:12:55 PM
I'm also surprised that nobody suggested stafford at all, but who knows?

I don't think a Stafford model will sell that well, when compared to Winston.  Stafford doesn't really have any character development going for him.  I find his personality to be pretty dull and his episodes aren't exactly memorable.  Realistically I don't think it will happen anytime soon, but if he continues to appear regularly for another season or two, then I'd expect him to be a more likely candidate. 

I wouldn't mind seeing him personally, I'd rather see him over the logging locos, Belle, or Rosie for that matter.  But there are a lot more characters that I feel are a much higher priority.

Bear won't be made though due to only being a RWS character.  A collapsing brake van won't happen either, but admittedly the idea of the spiteful brake van being made would be a nice easy move for Bachmann to make.  If they were to make it though, it would be in one piece.  Don't know about the steamworks or dieselworks happening either.

Regardless, I really like the lineup, I'm glad I'm not the only one who wouldn't mind seeing Bachmann make Winston!  I imagine if they did Oliver and Toad they would be sold separately... However if they were announced I won't dismiss the idea of them being in a train set together with other rolling stock.

Quote from: Zorran202 on August 12, 2013, 02:16:38 AM
Question: how do you explain the remaining episode titles "Spills and Thrills," "The Rocket Returns," and "No More Mr. Nice Engine"? Here's my proof: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Friends-Spills-Thrills-Pictureback/dp/0385375085/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375882651&sr=8-2&keywords=thomas+and+friends+2014

http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Returns-Thomas-Friends-Reading/dp/0385373848/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2

They clearly did say 26 episodes, with the last three remaining episodes a mystery... After all, the DVD release of Spills and Thrills will be released next year, but that's all the info I remember.

They could pull what they did with Engines and Escapades for season 11 and save the other six for later.  It's hard to tell at this point with the little information provided about those three episodes.

I'm allowed to have my doubts, on something that's been a tradition for something that's been going on for five years.  Again though, I'm open to there being more episodes in the future, it's just hard to tell with what information we were given.

I can't judge episodes solely on summaries alone, but I can certainly say a couple of things..

One, 20 episodes for season 17.  I saw this one coming.  I never understood where people got the idea there would be 26.  Not that I'm arguing against it, but seeing as how they have done 20 episodes plus a special since season 12 I don't see how they would change that tradition.  Plus a special is worth about six episodes when you really think about it, so it really isn't so much of a loss.  However, if they do have six more episodes but are saving them for a later time, then I honestly wouldn't mind that.  The more the merrier.  If not though, I'm honestly perfectly fine with what we got.

Another is the fact that old characters are getting big roles.  Duck is playing a lead role in an episode with Thomas, we haven't had this since season 4.  It's even bigger than roles he's had since seasons 5 and 6, so it'll be interesting to see how that will play out.  Bill and Ben are also sharing a role with Connor, and we haven't had an episode starring those two since season 7.  Both of these I welcome with open arms!  No idea if Jack will appear in any episodes anytime soon, but I wouldn't mind if they skipped a season with him.  Seeing Jack alone without the rest of the pack really makes him stand out.  At least Alfie would be nice to see if they were gonna bring Jack back...

Sidney coming back was a given, and I am open to the idea of Paxton getting his own episode.  I even like how Stephen is sharing some roles with Percy, I have a feeling that these will play well.  Flynn and Belle though...?  Honestly, I never understood the fascination with both of these characters.  Belle is one of my least favorite characters in the series.  The fact that she's a steam engine who shoots out water is extremely bizarre, and her personality I find to be rather annoying.  Not as bad as the logging locos, but admittedly I find Charlie more enjoyable than her.  Flynn I find to be more tolerable, but him getting an episode three seasons in a row is pushing it for me.

The biggest surprise for me though is the fact that Diesel 10 of all characters is appearing in an episode.  Diesel 10 was a movie/special character.  I'm honestly not sure what to think of this, I feel like it'll either be a real hit or miss with what they are going to do with him.  Either way, definitely an interesting move on the writers part and I'm looking forward to seeing how this will play out.  

Overall though, I'm excited for these new episodes!  Looking forward to when they air

Before I modeled HO, I had a nice N scale layout (4X8).  I loved the Tomix line of products and I really enjoyed them as a kid.  It's sad that they don't make anymore products, especially since they had promised to make Gordon and Edward in the range but those are nowhere in sight...  A real shame, as the quality of these models was incredible.  Definitely wins a gold medal for their James and Henry models as well as their respective rolling stock. 

As far as Bachmann making an N scale line for Thomas goes, I welcome the idea with open arms, but I'm not going to pretend any longer that I don't see that happening.  N scale may be too small for the younger Thomas fans, and would be a lot harder for them to work with.  If they were to do it however, I don't see how they would include a moving eye mechanism in the model. 

It's a shame that there isn't much else outside of what we have already from Tomix, however the size of the models does make a difference as far as the general public goes.  The size of N scale is not only one of it's biggest disadvantages but also one of the biggest advantages at the same time.  Especially if you have a lot of empty space and can make a nice large N layout with it.

Quote from: jettrainfan on July 27, 2013, 07:42:20 PM
Fenderlind is a climax, a shay and a climax are 2 totally different beasts. Made for the same purposes but act and run differently, bachamnn has made a climax but these would need re-tooling cause of the cost of the current spectrum one. Cut back on detail and minus the decoder and maybe he can be made.

Bachmann wouldn't use their climax tooling, or modify it from their spectrum range to make Ferdinand.  They would make their engines from scratch as opposed to the alternative.  Remember, Bachmann usually makes their toolings for engines from scratch as opposed to using toolings from both US and UK ranges, which is also why Hank won't be made and why Duck and Diesel weren't made with their UK toolings.   Either way, both would be too expensive in Ferdinand's case.

Personally, I don't see Bash, Dash, or Ferdinand happening.  They aren't exactly... popular characters, (or memorable for that matter), and they don't really have a growing fanbase or demand for them to appear anytime soon.  

I imagine the tooling would be expensive for Bachmann to put together, so I have my doubts... but I'm all for it!  Especially with the detail on the CGI versions of the characters, I think they would look great.  It would just depend on how they would manage to put them together and how well they would sell, which I imagine they would sell pretty well.  People who model narrow gauge would go nuts over them!

Quote from: therailwayinspector on July 16, 2013, 03:47:30 AM

Quote
And of course only in a matter of time, I'm sure Bachmann will get more requests from fans to do more classics following Duck like Oliver, Stepney, and BoCo.

I think they've been having plenty of those already! But In all fairness here's hoping some from that list will follow in future years...

Should have added 'more than ever' But yeah, all of the above would make nice additions, with Oliver being most inevitable.

Quote from: therailwayinspector on July 16, 2013, 03:47:30 AM

Quote from: ModelTrainFan538 on July 14, 2013, 02:35:03 AM
I will admit that I'm very surprised that he was released around July as opposed to September/October like most models in the range.

Bear in mind he was announced last year, so is actually late for last year's slot..... I think Bill and Ben had the same issue?
Arry and Bert will most likely take this year's autumnal slot.

Duck was delayed, but for a delayed model, he arrived earlier than other previously delayed models like D&D, Salty, and Edward since those models made it around the fall, whereas Diesel, Bill, and Ben managed to come out the year they were announced.  I'm sure 'Arry and Bert will make it by the fall this year too, especially if Diesel managed to come out so quickly too. 

I got my Bachmann Duck just the other day!  I will admit that I'm very surprised that he was released around July as opposed to September/October like most models in the range.  Either way, I love the model!  I'm glad that the model captures him in classic form, as opposed to the CGI form.  I would not have been as happy if the model came with his CGI face, black footplate, or  having that lamp on his sandbox, (seriously, am I the only one who thinks that looks ridiculous on him?).  When it comes to runners, I think Duck is one of the smoothest runners in the range.  He actually uses a different chassis than Donald and Douglas, as the wheels on Duck are smaller and further spread apart than the the Scottish twins.  Not something I expected, but still holds the reputation of being one of the best models in the range!  Some people also don't like how the buffer holders aren't painted red to match the model, but for me the fault is so minor you can barely tell, much like the grey lampirons on Gordon and Henry. 
Either way, it's a model fans have wanted for years, and it's a model worth adding to your collection!  Bachmann have done it again by listening carefully to what the fans wanted to see, making a quality product in return for us.  I'm sure we will continue to see this kind of quality in 'Arry and Bert and many other additions to follow.

And of course only in a matter of time, I'm sure Bachmann will get more requests from fans to do more classics following Duck like Oliver, Stepney, and BoCo.

Just got wind that Duck made it to a hobby store from a friend's friend of mine.  All paint errors have been fixed, including the buffer holders!  If anyone has seen or owned a model yet, please share on the forum!  I'd love to see for myself.

Well yeah, Winston is small, but again so are highrailers in general when you compare them to trains.  So a Bachmann Winston being small is a given, hence why I said I don't see one having moving eyes just because he'd be that small.

Again, the idea of a Bachmann Winston doesn't sound all that unusual to me just because Bachmann have made similar vehicles before outside of Thomas.

So I updated my post slightly, it's been over a month since I last updated it, but I wanted to talk about an idea I thought of just the other day.
Winston the Track-inspection Car

So why do I think Winston is a good possibility?
After seeing Bachmann announce Jeremy, I think that this could say something about how open Bachmann would be in regards to introducing different vehicles.  But more importantly, he adds good variety!  Winston being a car on rails, essentially, is a different twist to the Thomas line, yet at the same time it's not that unusual coming from Bachmann.  Bachmann have their "Maintenance of way" series with different vehicles that were made to run on tracks.  So the idea of Winston being made doesn't seem as strange as one would think.  Despite riding on rails though, being like the rest of the other vehicles, I don't think a Bachmann Winston would include moving eyes. 
Why do I think he would be a good seller?  Well Winston is perfect for any modeler!  He doesn't require any rolling stock or anything of the sort to go along with him.  He's literally an addition you can just take out and run on any layout.  Ideal for beginners who are into the hobby and it would look nice on any layout.  Plus if modelers are working on their layouts and need a model to test the track power, they could use the model of Winston to see how could the power is on their layouts... that is his job after all as a track inspection car.

But more importantly for Thomas fans, it introduces the idea of a to-scale HO Sir Topham Hatt figure.  The one that's in the HO line currently is ridiculously out of scale.  I'm surprised it's listed in the HO line when it should be under large scale.  With Winston, I could see Bachmann giving him a little driver who would be no one other than Sir Topham Hatt, as other toy ranges that have made Winston have included a little Sir Topham Hatt figure to make it look like he is driving Winston around.  This will not only look more realistic, but would also be a really nice addition to those who would be interested in having a to-scale Sir Topham Hatt figure. 
So despite Winston being newer, he not only wouldn't be that expensive for Bachmann to put together and sell, but he would also sell very popularly as he's proven to be liked by older and newer fans alike, much like Paxton.  Either way, along with Trevor, I think Winston would make another good addition as a future character to join Bachmann in the near future as far as vehicles go.
Feel free to give me feedback if anyone thinks this is a good idea or if you can see this happening too.  Either way, I'm interested in hearing any thoughts.