Quote from: RailsByRick on October 27, 2026, 09:53:46 PMAnyone else have Stepney on the brain lately? It's great to see Mattel acknowledging some older characters in their new die cast range, and it's clear their new Stepney toy is going to be popular.

I know Bachmann wants to stick to CGI going forward, but I really think Stepney should be an exception. If Bachmann is going for CGI aesthetic consistency, then Stepney's CGI face from Season 12 could be used in place of the model era one. I'd be happy with either.

Couldn't agree more with this! Stepney would also add a nice bit of variety among the tank engines currently available. Plus...it's Stepney the Bluebell Engine. He's been one of the most highly requested models for a good few years now and it'd be great if Bachmann could finally decide to go with him.

Quote from: Kemptown Branch on July 14, 2026, 08:26:18 PM

Quote from: Cheeky_ULP on July 14, 2026, 07:22:24 PMThe wording is interesting because most Bachmann Thomas fans have probably made every reasonable deduction for a product Bachmann could make at least once or twice. I'm getting the impression that whatever they plan to announce might be something fairly outside the box.

It almost makes me wonder if it could be someone like Stepney. We wouldn't see him coming because it we pretty much wrote him off as a possibility due to what Bachmann said about him. I know it's extremely unlikely, though.

In a perfect world, it would be him!

Hey guys, so it won't be long till the August announcements and apparently there might very well be a surprise coming within then. We've been told it's something we haven't been expecting...chances are that it's likely an engine...question is, who could it be? Some have said Diesel 10...some say Harvey...some say even the likes of Boco or Stepney! Thought I'd make this thread so we could have some fun speculating what it could be. Share what engine YOU think could be announced and why you think so! 

I'm gonna skip over the predictions because I kinda feel that sometimes, it's actually quite difficult to predict what we're gonna get from Bachmann. No one probably expected Skarloey back in 2015 in all fairness! Anywho, here are my suggestions and my reasons for them. Bear in mind, I'm only listing suggestions for the HO Range!

Engines:

Diesel 10:

Everyone knows this guy. Whether you love or hate Thomas And The Magic Railroad, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who'd disagree on Diesel 10 being the biggest thing to come out of that movie. A large hulking diesel engine with a menacing face, unique livery and that's not even mentioning the claw. I personally don't see the claw being much of an issue myself, though I do recognise that Diesel 10's RRP would be pretty high. Though again, when it comes to a character this popular and well known, I just don't see the issue. The majority of engines in the current range have all gotten more and more expensive in recent times and yet for the most part, it seems that doesn't really detract people if it's a model of a character they really like. Flying Scotsman is bound to be pretty high price-wise with those two tenders and I still reckon that's gonna do really well. Diesel 10 would be no different. I've advocated for him before like many others and stand by the opinion I've voiced previously. He's the ultimate Thomas & Friends villain and has become as synonymous to the overall franchise just as much as someone like Cranky the Crane. So much so, that I honestly feel Bachmann would be making a mistake in NOT making him.

Lady:

This one's probably less likely and I know it may seem as an odd suggestion to some, but I feel there's a good reason. Again regardless if you like or dislike Thomas And The Magic Railroad, it WAS something that brought the franchise to à larger audience and was made with a lot of love from the people behind it, notably Britt Allcroft herself. Choosing to make Lady would not only mean the tooling would cost less to produce than that of a larger character but more importantly, it would serve as a fitting tribute to someone who made all of this possible. After all, without Britt Allcroft, there wouldn't be a Thomas & Friends, let alone a Bachmann range of it!

Harvey:

The crane engine himself! I've also advocated for him alongside Diesel 10 back when I was invited onto TrainWorld's Thomas Stream a couple of years back. In the past, one of the obstacles in the way of making a Harvey model was the overall size. Something that was changed when the character made his CGI debut. Harvey was made smaller once he returned to the show and the size difference is actually more accurate to the real engine Harvey's based on! In terms of how Harvey's crane arm could hypothetically work, it could function similar to how Bachmann's model of Cranky works. On the right-hand side of Harvey's crane arm is a large wheel cog to lower and raise his hook. This could EASILY be implemented on the model and unlike Cranky, Harvey's crane arm neither raises up nor lowers down so there's no need for an additional cog to move it around. It would definitely be one of Bachmann's most unique Thomas models and would also appeal to those wishing to modify it to resemble the real locomotive. Easily a character I could see selling ridiculously well.


Rolling Stock:

Flatbed with The Chinese Dragon:

This would be fun to see. The flatbed itself is already in the range and has been featured with various loads such as paint cans, logs, oil drums, etc. Having The Chinese Dragon as a new load would not only be one featuring a lot of colour and look good with both Thomas and Percy, but it could also be sold with Thomas in a new train set! Genuinely hope this one gets considered.

Hopper Wagons:

I believe these pop up a lot in the CGI series at places such as the quarry and the docks. These would look particularly nice behind the likes of Paxton for example and could even feature a load like crushed stone from the Blue Mountain Quarry or even a new coal load perhaps.

The Works Unit Carriage:

This could be sold as two variants. One in the classic green we've mostly seen it in or even the orange version that appears in The Adventure Begins. Come to think of it, the orange variant would go quite nicely with either LBSC Thomas or Origins James, both of which already feature in the range and are very popular.

The Sodor Mail Car (Original "Sodor Mail" Lettering):

I'm aware that this is available in the main range with the CGI emblems, but it would be really nice and appreciated if the previous model series variants of wagons like the Mail Car and Tankers could made available again. These go for very high prices on places such as eBay and it would appeal to customers who prefer to model the more classic look of the show! This seems to be the approach with the new HO Tar Tanker and G Scale Tidmouth Milk Tanker, so hopefully we can see more in the not so distant future!

Scenery:

I'm going to be perfectly honest and agree with Christian in regards to the resin buildings released back around 2014/2015. The resin buildings were some of the most top quality products available in HO and I'm shocked that they allegedly sold poorly. Bringing these back would prove popular I feel as they often pop up on eBay for high amounts of money. Christen himself has already made a separate forum post regarding the buildings in particular and I highly recommend you all go check it out!

Narrow Gauge Engines:

Duncan:

As incredibly disappointing as it was to hear of Duncan's cancellation, I do somewhat understand the reasoning for it. That said, I don't think Bachmann should be so reluctant to make a version of a character that isn't CGI. Duncan's large model from Seasons Six to Twelve of the Model Series is one that could not only gel quite well with the already existing offerings in Narrow Gauge, but there's nothing stopping Bachmann from slightly changing or adding small features that can be found on Douglas at the Talyllyn Railway. I believe even Peter Sam's model features details that can be found on Edward Thomas yet don't feature on his CGI Model, same for Sir Handel too!

Smudger:

Yes, Smudger. All this would require is a simple repaint of the existing Rheneas model and a different face. This is no different to when Bachmann took an existing brake van tooling and made The Spiteful Brake Van out of it! This would be a fun and cost-effective way of bringing in another engine into the range without having to worry over the cost or time it would take to make a new tooling.

Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock:

The Green Open Coach:

These would be very nice to see, especially with that smart green and cream livery they wore. They'd go well with literally any engine in the narrow gauge line up and would contrast nicely with the blues and reds of the coaches available in the range.

The Refreshment Lady's Tea Coach:

So this might be unexpected, but I do feel like it would be a fun addition! This coach is virtually the same as the red coach already available, albeit painted in that yellow livery. I know that there's a hatch that opens up on the side so that refreshments can be served, but it appeared in the episode with the hatch closed at some points, so the tooling could be made that way if preferred. Like the Chinese Dragon, this could be a very fun one to see featured.



And I think that's a good enough place for me to leave it. If anyone from Bachmann took the time to read through these suggestions, thank you very much for doing so and I really hope at least some of these are seriously considered! It'd be a win-win for everyone!

Sorry if this has already asked and answered, but is the Flatbed With Oil Drums still coming out? Can't remember hearing any updates on it and I'm really looking forward to picking up some.

I have to agree, Splatter and Dodge would be both practical and very fun additions to the range. Not only would they only need the one face between them or be using an existing tooling, but I feel the liveries of both diesels will gel well with the other models in the range.

Please take notes Bachmann!🙏

Oh! New Thread? Cool.

So I'd personally like to see more of a lean towards more model era stuff going forward. I'm not expecting things like Stepney to be announced anytime soon (despite being thrilled if that were to happen), but instances of bringing in engines that appeared in BOTH the Model and CGI Eras, so engines like Diesel 10, Whiff and Harvey, different variations of existing rolling stock like a mail car with the 'Sodor Mail' emblem alongside the current CGI emblem being used. We're already getting this in G Scale with the Tidmouth Milk Tanker. I'm also interested in seeing characters that utilise existing toolings, such as Splatter and Dodge, Smudger, Proteus, etc.

I'd hope to see stuff like this in the future, but whether it happens remains to be seen. I see no harm in looking into options that aren't solely CGI based.

Quote from: Awesometrain77 on August 13, 2025, 11:59:26 AMSo G scale has some hope for a new engine as I looked at the catalog recently and I noticed that LBSC Thomas is 91411 compared to Paxton who has the product number 91408 . Could this mean anything for G scale . The gap between has the potential to be filled.
Anyway the DCC set has still yet to release .

Here's hoping! Personally speaking, a Large Scale Edward would be a dream come true...

Quote from: Awesometrain77 on July 06, 2025, 02:38:34 PMAs for a make up release . I think a good idea would be to finally do a model era only character . Stepney and BoCo have been suggested for ages and I think now after this massive disappointment it would be a really good time to do them .
Stepney BoCo and Class 40 are the only Awdry created standard gauge characters that appear in the TVS that Bachmann has yet to make .

Class 40 is super obscure and only appears in 2 episodes but only really has a role in one of those .

If we ever finally get models of either Boco or Stepney, I can probably die happy! Both would be superb additions to the range and Bachmann can more or less be guaranteed FANTASTIC sales of one or both were to be made.

VERY excited to do so indeed! I recently acquired Skarloey and Rheneas (with Peter Sam on order as we speak) and they are honestly some of the very best Bachmann has to offer. Sir Handel's stories and overall character were always enjoyable to watch and the prospect of owning what undoubtedly will be another banger model and finally finishing off the "Four Little Engines" group is something I'm genuinely looking forward to!

Thought I'd make something for us to all share our thoughts on the silver tank engine. I'm personally really happy that Stanley's being made. I love The Great Discovery, the introduction and lore of Great Waterton and Stanley was also a nice addition too. While he may not have done much since his debut, I still think he's a solid character and I feel Bachmann will definitely do him justice. What do you all think?

Is there any news regarding the rerelease of Bachmann Salty? We haven't heard anything for a while and I was wondering if it's still going ahead?

Quote from: Chaz on January 22, 2023, 02:33:33 AMFigured I would post recent updates on my OO9 layout, a lot has changed:


I was able to add some more scenery like trees and bushes in addition to a lake which was by far the most tedious project on the layout by far.  Nonetheless I'm really happy with the result.

Chaz, this is incredible! Fantastic work man!

Quote from: JLK2707 on June 12, 2021, 09:49:28 AM
I think they should just do both.

Maybe. Though we have to take into account how much it costs to produce the toolings required.

Personally speaking, I'd love to see any classic characters made in the range and BoCo is no exception. The character is extremely popular among the fandom and the demand for a model of him is certainly there. Not to mention that by Boco being produced, you'd finally have all the engines that work on Edward's Branch Line (Edward, Boco, Bill & Ben). I'd buy BoCo in a heartbeat.

Now regarding Diesel 10. If I'm to be completely honest with you all, I'd like him to be made just as much as BoCo. Despite the undeniable fact that Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a massive flop with an extremely confusing and messy story, the film still has a special place in my heart. I adore the model work in the film, the characterisation of the engines, the soundtrack and the characters introduced the film (at least when it comes to the engines). I found Diesel 10 in particular to be throughly entertaining throughout and I'd honestly love to own a model of him. Of course, there would issues that would need addressing such as the claw, but I do believe there are ways to work around said issues.

In conclusion, I'd honestly be super happy should Boco or Diesel 10 end up being announced in the future. I like both characters equally (albeit for different reasons) and I'd no doubt buy a model of either engine in a heartbeat, regardless of price.