With the new Thomas series on the horizon, I wonder if Bachmann would make anything from it. There is bound to be new characters, and it would be interesting to see Bachmann handle them. Would they be 1-to-1 with their models, or maybe be redesigned slightly to fit the more "classic" look that Bachmann aims for? I do doubt Bachmann would update their models to align with the new series, since that would be a lot of effort, and Mattel still does seem to be using the classic CGI Thomas (Such as in Wonders of Sodor).

Just some thoughts I had, interested to see anyone else's perspective on this.

Agreed. At the very least, UK styled buffers and signals would be good. I doubt buildings would be made, though snap-fit kits would probably be the best route if they did, and if we got some, I'd like to see Ffarquhar station as one.

I think a fair compromise would be having the eye mechanism more easily removable? Not so much that a younger person could do it accidentally, but designed to slot out if the body is taken off. This way, it can still be included in the model, but if someone wants to take it out to try and improve performance or add posable eyes to the face, it could be done rather easily.

I could see a Boo in the future, as he could maybe reuse the chassis from Daisy? Modified for the Eye-mech and proper wheel configuration, of course. I definitely see other characters like Hiro or Whiff being made first due to being much more popular.

I do like the idea of Winston. He is rather unique and a cool character, though if he was added, it would mean he'd no longer be exclusive to Large Scale, like how Hannah is exclusive to N scale. Streamlined Thomas is also interesting, and I could see it as a sort of exclusive or limited run item, maybe being an opportunity to introduce a new face for Thomas. I am surprised we haven't got Trevor yet, he is one of the most popular road characters next to Bertie and Terrence, and would make a great companion piece for Edward. As for Thomas variants, I think I would prefer gold Thomas. Pink Thomas would certainly be interesting, but I don't think people would really buy it. It differs from LBSC Thomas or other Thomas variants since it's rather obscure and not seen a whole lot. However, nice suggestions overall, Awesometrain77.

Quote from: JacobSK on November 03, 2024, 05:46:42 PMNarrow Gauge:

SKIP - all the attention needs to be on getting Sir Handel out there. Especially with Duncan cancelled, I feel (and please don't take this the wrong way) all hands on deck for Sir Handel!

I agree completely here. Whilst it would be nice to see Luke or Victor or someone else, I feel like making another NG engine so soon is not the right path. I'd much rather see Sir Handel be completed first hand. Afterwards, I think taking Duncan back to the drawing board would be better, but not immediately. This break in new NG engines could also allow the designers to focus on the other lines, such as G scale.

I think both Merlin and Yong Bao hold some potential. Out of the two, however, I would prefer if we got Merlin over Yong Bao since he's a smaller tender engine, so could be cheaper. His overall design is also pretty unique, considering his 3 funnels and silver paint. Carlos is also an interesting choice, and seeing him added to the line could be pretty cool. Considering he's pretty realistic, I could definitely see some mass appeal with him.

Quote from: MontagueGWR08 on October 22, 2024, 01:17:30 PMWould love to hear any thoughts!

Some wonderful suggestions, MontagueGWR. I was thinking of posting my own list, but you basically hit everything I would want aside from two. I think Hector could be a nice addition, even if he is larger than the average wagon. I would also like to see Bulstrode, since we have a real lack of ships to interact with Cranky. Other than that, an excellent list that holds potential.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on September 30, 2024, 07:08:20 PMOnly issue could foresee is not wanting to compete with Annie and Clarabel already on the market cause they would be so similar.

I think Bachmann could work around this a few ways. For one, they could give them the black running boards so they'd be more accurate to the show, rather than the light gray of Annie and Clarabel. They could also give them different faces, as I suggested before, to help them stand out.

Quote from: really called Thomas on September 29, 2024, 09:41:37 AMOld and Orange Branchline Coaches are something I would certainly be interested in buying.

They'd be really easy to make. All Bachmann would need to do is simply remove the names from Annie and Clarabel, and maybe have different faces. They could also make faceless versions using the body tooling of the Red Branchline Coaches and the roofs of Annie and Clarabel. Id definitely buy some aswell.

Quote from: Mulfred100 on September 25, 2024, 09:17:19 AMBut completely inaccurate to the tv series. If they do Gordon's special coaches I'd much rather they used Spencer's coach without the corridor. It may not be real world accurate but it's TV accurate

I do get that, but also, Spencer's coach has the small doors on either end, meaning it wouldn't be accurate either way unless Bachmann makes a whole new tooling, which would never happen. They'd be inaccurate either way, so it would probably be best to use the already existing express coach tooling, as then they fit in with any already existing express trains. I do see where you're coming from, though.

Quote from: Armada Starscream on September 23, 2024, 07:57:40 PMSince A lot of people have been suggesting Gordons's Special Coaches, and I would like to see them as well, I would like to reiterate some of the things that I would hope they would include in Gordon's Special Coaches models.

https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/SR_Maunsell_Coaches?so=search&file=Gordon%27sSpecialCoaches.png

For one thing, I would hope that Bachmann would make a set of Gordon's Special Composite Coach and Gordon's Special Brake Coach. Bachmann has done this before with the Toby's Museum Coaches, making both a composite and a brake version of these coaches, even though only the brake version appeared. That way, people could make a longer and complete express train for Gordon out of them. And hey, its two new products instead of one!

For another thing, I would hope they would recolor both of these Composite and Brake coaches out of the already existing Gordon's Express Composite Coach and Gordon's Express Brake Coach, with the rubber corridors on each end of them. Therefore, they would be compatible with the already existing Gordon's Express Coaches, as well as the Red Express Coaches. It would be cool to at least have the option for Gordon's Special Coaches to fit in with trains of already existing Express Coaches.

Yeah, I think reusing the existing tooling would be best. It keeps down on costs, and allows the coaches to fit in with the already existing ones. They wouldn't be accurate to the show, but neither are the already existing coaches, so that doesn't really apply. They were also repaints of the original express coaches in the show, so it would at least be accurate in that regard.

Also, 600 replies. Wow.

Hello, everyone. I've seen a lot of predictions and suggestions for the 80th anniversary. A lot of them are very interesting, so I decided to pitch in my own ideas.

First up, my most unusual idea: Remakes of Thomas, James, and Percy.



This suggestion may seem a bit strange, but let me explain. Thomas, James, and Percy were the first models introduced into the range, and whilst were good, cheap toys for their time, that isn't much the case nowadays. Seeing as the line is more collector focused as of now, the original models of then core 3 are sorely lacking in details. Whilst other earlier models like Edward or Duck still hold up, Thomas, James, and Percy do not. I could see Bachmann going about this in two ways. 1, they keep the originals up until they make these models with a similar or slightly higher budget, then replace the old models with the new ones. 2, these would marketed as "collector grade," where they are more expensive but are more accurate to the models, maybe having poseable eyes and alternative faces, and keeping the old ones for a cheaper option. If they go for the first option, I think beyond the core 3 the others aren't in dire need of updates, maybe aside from new faces and thinning the side rods of Gordon and Henry.

Next Up, the Breakdown Cranes.



The cranes are iconic pieces of rolling stock in the series, serving as helping hands to rescue an engine whenever they crash. Due to their size, I imagine Bachmann would have only one crane per package, maybe being around 50-60 USD (store price, that is.) I could see a Works Coach also being produced to go alongside them for a full breakdown train. Judy and Jerome could also be created instead of them, though I feel the originals are more iconic and would sell better.

Continuing the topic of coaches, my next pick is Gordons Special Coaches

(I couldn't get an image of these, but they're the blue ones from Emily and the Special Coaches)

Bachmann isn't a stranger to doing one off coaches, as they did Toby's museum coaches, so these are decently realistic. They give Gordon some more thematic coaches, and overall sport a nice shade of blue. I imagine a composite and brake variant would be made.

That's all mu suggestions for now, as I'm not well versed in G, N, or Narrow Gauge. If I have more, ill post them later. Let me know what you all think.

Hello everyone. My first post here, as I wanted to pitch in my thoughts on the packaging issue.

Whilst it does make sense they would want to keep the plastic packaging in order for them to hang on pegs, they could still do this using cardboard. For example, many figures within the Transformers toy line use cardboard packaging of mainly boxes, whilst still retaining peg holes to be hung from. Bachmann could pursue a similar style if possible, allowing for the best of both worlds; Easier to open packaging that can still be hung from pegs.