The only issue is adding lights and upgrading every model to include a DCC socket would bump up the already steep prices of these models. If Bachmann were to go back and do any retooling, it absolutely has to be Thomas, Percy, and James from the ground up. They simply do not hold up to the very screen accurate newer additions like Rosie, Rebecca, Ryan, and Stanley.

I'll gladly take a few years of no new locomotive characters if it means we get newly tooled Thomas, Percy, and James.

I'd imagine if Bachmann were to produce UK buffer stops, they'd be attached to a section of EZ Track like their existing track bumpers are. As long as they're removable to use on standard track, I'll be happy.

As for signals, I think it'd be a good idea if Bachmann started with a single one and a junction signal (two separate signals for two tracks on the same post). I would certainly be happy with those to start with. They could later expand with distant signals and other variations. These would also appeal to British Railway modelers that live in the US- not only Thomas fans.

I agree. The HO line is in need of signals and buffer stops based on the television series. Signals especially. Importing them from the UK has become very costly due to tariffs. Also, if Bachmann is uncertain about resin buildings, I think plastic kits would be great for a signal box, shed, hut, etc. It'd be nice to see the round water tower back in the line too!

So, I'm a bit confused about Scotsman's render. We've never seen this photo before, and he clearly has a smaller face. Does anyone have any info on this seemingly updated CGI model? Personally, I prefer the larger face. I think it might've overlapped the diameter of the smokebox in the show, but if the face was made to be the same diameter as the smokebox for the HO model, I'd be happy.

Regardless, the mystery of the new render intrigues me.

After looking at the photos of the Doug figure that Chaz has shared (see "Farewell Doug" thread) it looks like these will be oversized for OO, and certainly way out of scale for HO. I placed a OO scale figure from Bachmann Branchline in the cab of my Gordon, and the figure's head can just barely poke out from the bottom of the side window. In Chaz's photo, the Doug figure can be seen through the window from about the chest up.

Now, in the "Railway Personnel" pack (the one which Doug is included) there are three taller figures, one of which is "Doug". I have a theory that they were intentionally made much taller to look more appropriate in the engine's cabs- most notably Gordon and Henry, as a standard OO figure looks too small in the cab.

Hopefully Chaz can confirm this and elaborate more if he'd like.

We have yet to see samples for the express coaches in N scale. Hopefully in the next Thomas Tuesday stream or in the coming months they will be shown off.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd prefer if they were accurate to their CGI models to go with the very accurate CGI engines in the N scale line. If they're going to base the range on CGI, then I'd want them to go all in.

Quote from: JLK2707 on February 17, 2025, 03:54:39 PMBut how would Harvey's crane operate?

The same way the Wooden Railway, Take Along, Trackmaster, and Nakayoshi models did. The crane arm would just swivel. I'm sure a winch mechanism could be fitted, and the wheel on the side could act as the control to raise and lower the hook.

Personally, I'm rallying behind Harvey and I hope it happens.

I'm glad Bachmann is open to discussion about changing the face for the 80th set. I really hope they're able to as it would absolutely put it over the top. Hopefully it will then influence them to create more newly tooled faces for the older models that need it.

It's really cool how the Sodor China Clay wagon is RWS-inspired. Never thought I'd see the day where Bachmann started to pull directly from the pages the RWS. This could open the door for them to finally re-announce their cancelled Rickety and Fred Pelhay from several years ago.

Let him run in for a half hour in each direction just in case it is a breaking in thing. I believe all the locos you mentioned have the same motor, so they should be running at the same speed. I know that's the case for my copies of these models.

If it doesn't improve after complete breaking in, you can contact Bachmann directly and they'll help you get it repaired or replaced. Hope this helps.

Quote from: Chaz on November 08, 2024, 07:31:09 PMHonorable mentions go to Bertie, Harold and Terence for accessories to join the line at some point.  They have yet to add non-rail characters in N, but I suspect they'll start with Bertie and Harold first before moving onto Terence.  Cranky also seems like a likely choice along with the inevitable N scale Tidmouth sheds announcement.

I second this. The N Scale line needs non-rail vehicles. Bulgy could also be viable eventually by essentially scaling down his digital tooling with some adjustments. The N Scale range has been becoming more appealing to me (having limited space, high quality mechanisms, and cohesive designs based all on ONE era) and I hope to see it expand more and more.

I know we all want an N Scale Edward. Recently I've been thinking over the logistics of how exactly Bachmann would be able to tackle a model with such a short wheelbase in N scale.

The N Scale Thomas engines released so far have small motors that still take up most of the length of the model, and as such, have the front axle be the driven axle. Of course, Edward's driving wheels are very close together, and reside towards his cab. This means the usual approach of having an axle in the front be connected to the motor is out of the question.

Could Bachmann flip the motor around and re-wire it appropriately so that the worm drive is facing the cab? Another issue with this is potentially making the front too heavy, when in reality, you want most of the weight over the driving wheels.

I'm not sure how they'll approach it, but I certainly hope Bachmann doesn't just skip on Edward entirely, and I hope they'll do his model justice.

Are preorders actually going well for Rebecca? The last I knew she wasn't in the the top three according TrainWorld's preorders. That doesn't mean that she might not be fourth or fifth, but I just don't see huge demand for Rebecca.

I've been enjoying the N Scale line as of late, and I've had some thoughts for some new, cost-effective items that Bachmann could consider. All of these suggestions use toolings/partial toolings that Bachmann has already produced.

Thomas/Thomas Chassis

-LBSC Thomas: a simple Thomas repaint, and one that I'm hoping will be announced for the 80th Anniversary.

-Mavis: This one has been suggested before, but would only require a newly tooled shell to go over the Thomas/Toby chassis.

-Stanley: Maybe not right now, but depending on how well he sells in HO Scale, this would be another simple partial tooling for the shell to go onto the Thomas chassis.

James

-Origins James: This would be another simple repaint, and would complement a potential LBSC Thomas. My only request is that the running board is the proper shade of gray, and Bachmann, please do not add the printed lamp on the tender. It looks very cheap and tacky.

12 Ton Van

-Gray Van: See HO version for reference. A generic gray van with no lettering would be great to build up long goods trains as seen in the CGI series.

-Fun Fair Vans: Maybe not a high priority at the moment, but these would be a fun addition.

Tank Wagon

-TAR Tanker: The HO Scale version is being reintroduced with updated CGI inspired graphics. I'm sure this would be a huge hit in N scale as well.

-Milk Tanker: I'm honestly surprised this wasn't one of the first tankers released.

Gordon's Chassis

-Spencer: One of the best aspects of N Scale not having moving eyes is how versatile a single chassis tooling can be. This one may need some tweaking to work for Spencer, but I'm sure it could be done.

N Scale Roundhouse

-Tidmouth Sheds: This one is a no-brainer. I'm sure it'll be announced before too long.

Let me know your thoughts! This line is fantastic and I want to see it continue to grow.

The numbers certainly don't lie. That's why I feel pre-ordering is so important in this niche hobby. It helps gauge interest, and whether or not an item is worth the risk to the manufacturer. I can't help but feel that maybe a lack of pre-orders for Duncan helped Bachmann to decide that he ultimately was not worth the risk right now.