Now that the range is 5 years old, I'm kinda debating if I should get into it now or wait a bit? I'm thinking once the Express Coaches are released, I might give this range a try.

Quote from: Yard Master on January 27, 2026, 09:59:24 AMHi everyone,

We want to apologize for the cancellation of Knapford Station and other items- it's just as disappointing to us as it is to the fans.

In trying to keep up the rate of new product announcements and releases from years past, our engineering team and factory were not able to keep pace and over the past few years, the length of time for them to study a project and submit a tooling cost and retail price increased. Compounded by tariffs and the general state of the economy, when we did receive costs, they came back higher than expected.

To elaborate more on Knapford Station: We made the new version half the size and half the number of parts as the first release with the goal of reducing the price. The cost we were given by the factory was higher than the last time we sold it, for a kit that was half the size- It wouldn't be economically feasible for us, nor would it be fair to the consumer to raise the price that much.

We think that this year the production delays have stabilized, and that we will be able to get costs much faster than we have the last 2-3 years. And we are no longer going to announce products until we receive a final cost from the factory, so that we are not announcing projects only to cancel them when they are not feasible.

I'm very glad that you are going to break this habit on announcing certain products, only to be canceled at the last minute. I can understand Duncan, but after the 80th set and Knapford kits canceled, I was starting to lose hope. But at least you guys will promise to not announce anything until you are very sure it'll be something you'll commit to.

Quote from: Yard Master on January 27, 2026, 09:49:02 AMHi Awesometrain,

I was told that the licensor at the time (HiT) told Bachmann that we were not allowed to make models of these characters, I believe due to a potential legal issue. I don't think any prototypes were made or still exist.

Yeah, I think Rickety was a Learning Curve creation, and I don't think Bachmann had rights on that truck.

I know it's over two decades, but was it possible that the Blue and Brown open wagons were originally meant for Rickety and Fred, considering their colors are close to those wagons?

I saw the font, and all I see is Comic Sans. XD

Regardless, I'm glad Bachmann's reusing the paint drum tooling for the flatbeds.

Quote from: TerencetheTractor525 on January 25, 2026, 09:37:51 AMThe biggest disappointment is that Knapford Station is officially cancelled, due to the high RRP. To be blunt, I do find it somewhat strange that Rebecca, a controversial new computer generated character who is not a top seller received the green light as a product with expensive RRP, while arguably the most iconic station did not. Moreover, I know the engines and rolling stock generally sell better than the buildings, but the range has really felt empty with a lack of buildings in it. Even small, popular buildings such as an oil depot, coal hopper, or round water tower reintroduction, would fill that void, all of which would not be too expensive as well as work in resin or plastic.

Oh, that was canceled? I was kinda hoping to get it as I actually like the colors on that version of Knapford instead of the original bright red colors. I guess I'll hold onto my old ones for the time being.

Since Bachmann are doing CGI renders of both the Milk and Fuel Tankers alongside the originals, do you guys see either the Oil Tankers or Mail Coaches getting the same treatment?

I personally see the Mail Coaches more, and less likely with the Oil Tankers. The reason being is that the original lettering is identical to the Tar ones, and that would confuse buyers. At least the Mail Coaches are a different story as we only have the CGI ones and the green recolors without lettering.

I was kinda worried that the flatbeds with the logs are going to be off market as they haven't been in stock for months (same with Tidmouth Sheds) and with the oil drums coming, I thought they would do that. But thankfully it wasn't, even though I'm not a fan of the logs.

I'm surprised they're doing the CGI Fuel tankers as well, so I wonder if Bachmann plans to keep both the original and CGI ones together?

Saw the new catalog after I came home! The only things they ended in terms of HO/OO are the Raspberry Tanker and the Sodor Coaling Wagon. I bought the 4 CGI ones, and glad I decided to get them just in case. I thought more were off the market due to a lot of items being out of stock. I kinda panic bought a few items that were out of stock on the Bachmann site, but it doesn't matter. Better safe than sorry. Though I need to buy some of the coal wagons. I'm surprised they are being out of stock compared to the original green ones. I guess it shows some people prefer the logoless wagons at times.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on January 24, 2026, 02:18:11 PMJust checked the catalog.

Discontinuations this round seem to be Raspberry syrup tanker, the sodor coal co. wagon, G scale tar tanker, slate truck #178, and the old peco open wagon (no real surprise.)

Interestingly, Knapford isn't in the catalog. I hope this is an oversight and it wasn't cancelled.

I saw that they're bringing back the Milk Tanker for G Scale, but it says Tidmouth yet it uses the CGI logo. Did they ever called that tanker "Tidmouth" when it was in the market years ago?

I wouldn't mind if they would sell the wagons separately as it would make up for the set, as I just want those instead of the whole set considering that they weren't gonna change that much.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on August 11, 2025, 08:26:04 PMThey also specifically confirmed it would reuse Gordon's chassis for both the the engine and the tender. Not sure how I feel about this. But it worked for Stanley so I'll hold any judgement until wee sit

Are they gonna redo the siderods for Scotsman? I feel like the old rods look really outdated. Maybe this might encourage modelers to use them for Gordon like with Stanley using Thomas' chassis.

I wasn't expecting they would make Scotsman as I think some of the staff said that they only gonna make another tender engine depending on how Rebecca sells (and the fact this is a two tender engine), but I guess the sales on her may've convinced Bachmann.

Looking at the date, I think makes sense as 2026 would mark the 10th anniversary of the Great Race which is where Scostman was introduced. I'm thinking they may reused Spencer's chassis as the Behind the Scenes page says that was what the animators used for Scotsman. So at least that can be less time consuming. I wonder if the smoke deflectors would be static or movable based on what happened in the special.

Okay, thanks for informing! I'll still buy him regardless.

I was looking at a site to buy some trains after getting an email that some points might vanish if I don't either use them or buy something, and saw this.



I know the 2025 catalog was released earlier this year and Harold wasn't removed, but this website states that he's discontinued. I'm not sure if Bachmann told them ahead of time or it's like with last year when we thought both the lighthouse and Sodor Diesel tankers were gonna be off for 2025, only they were just discounted (we were right about the lighthouses though).

My question is why Harold? I can see Jeremy as he only appeared a few times, but Harold was a character Bachmann had since the start of the line and unlike Jeremy, Harold had a lot of major roles.

Are Tidmouth Sheds gonna be restocked soon?

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on February 04, 2025, 07:14:44 PMI'm of two minds on this. On one hand, the face would be a really nice bonus. However, with the pipeline having so much to work on as is, I do worry delaying this pack just for the face would mean it missing the anniversary year window and thus feeling less special. Admittedly people will probably buy it anyway, me included, but it being tied with this year specifically I think will help its sales a lot.

On the bright side, if it's delayed for 2026, at least it'll be good for the anniversary of the second book as it'll be 80 years since Thomas' book.