I don't have expectations for much this summer, although if they're gonna focus on repaints, Sidney would be more reasonable than most other repaints such as Busy Bee James or Yellow Rheneas.

For the NG range, I might be the minority here, but don't think Bachmann would lose much if they skip out on Smudger. Even one new piece of rolling stock for the time being would be satisfying enough, if they announce the open wagons, at least we have more complete Skarloey Railway goods trains.

What makes them cousins in theory, is that they have the same designer. All 3 of them were built by Sir Nigel Gresley.

I think after Sidney, I'm personally done with the Class 08s.

Other then Edward for the LS range

Maybe Stephen could work considering that the LS market is a bit quirky. Not only would he work as a Thomas character but he could also serve as a very easy  kitbash for the real Stephenson's Rocket. It's one of the most popular locomotives to model.

So I guess I'll posts my thoughts

I personally think that Ryan is a pretty good choice.

There's reasons why he has a wide appeal for a CGI character. The Brenner era characters while feeling inspired and well utilized, most of them are very gimmicky from and aesthetic standpoint. Stephen and Marion for example, are perhaps the most received characters, happen to be as such. Ryan however is the most normal engine we've seen for some time. He feels like a character that would fit in the classic series. Also given that he's not only paired up with Daisy a classic character that was given a lot of starring episodes compared to the model series itself. Ryan in the show had the most affiliation with the Little Western characters. Which are Bachmann's best sellers, so I think Ryan will fair well for the range.

Personally I'm not a fan of N Scale in general, but I'm curious to see the range expand.

Also with LS range, I really find Paxton to be the highlight of the range despite being a repaint, the face is obviously a major step-up from his HO counterpart.

Other then Stepney and perhaps Boco.

I think Hiro could make it into the range, despite being a tender engine. He has a strong following in Japan, which is a huge Thomas market.
Stephen is too small for the moving eye mechanism, and Marion is too gimmicky for Bachmann and those characters with normal designs such as Charlie, Nia and Rebecca are the most loathed characters.

Overall, Stepney, Boco, and Hiro are perhaps the few characters I could think of for HO/OO.

Stephen could work as an Large Scale Engine though.

OK I guess I'll post my thoughts after some time.

For the HO/OO Engines.

Stepney

A well-loved classic for fans such as myself, and by railfans. with his character, RWS, TV show, and real life basis. Even when Hornby released a fleet of Terriers a couple years ago with Stepney's real life counterpart, it was fastest seller compared to Fenchruch or Brighton.  So, he's the obvious choice for a classic character.

Ryan
A character that perhaps is the most normal looking engine seen in a while. He feels like a character that would fit in the classic series. Also given they brought Daisy back into the show, they paired her up with Ryan, and brought out perhaps a great character dynamic in the show. There's a reason why he has quite an appeal, and with Daisy being officially a Bachmann model it was given quite a demand. A unique but very subtle livery that would bring color contrast.  If you have Duck then you need Oliver, it's pretty the same case with Ryan to Daisy.

Hiro

A character with depth, a very elegant design, a subtle livery that helps him naturally integrate into the Thomas universe. Japan which is a high market for Thomas, and they even have a life sized Hiro for their DOWT events.  Also add that his basis is the most iconic locomotive. An international engine that is very well received by fans, both young and old. If they're going to consider another tender engine, Hiro would be a far more reasonable choice than let's say Rebecca. He's also an international character that is better received than Nia.


Ryan and Hiro are perhaps the most appealing CGI characters for the Bachmann range. Since Paxton has proven to tick with older fans


There are a few characters I like such as Merlin, Frankie and Hurricane, decent characters with interesting designs, but they haven't made enough prominence in the show to earn their candidacy.


Even great characters such as Stephen or Marion that are well received, but too gimmicky in design for Bachmann. Maybe, Stephen as a Large Scale Engine?


While, I do have personal preference for characters such as Charlie and Rebecca, solely because they have great designs and basis. Especially Rebecca because I'm really a fan of Bulleid Pacifics. However, they obviously won't fare well in the Bachmann Range, mostly due to being highly unpopular characters. (even though Rebecca is supposedly a main character).  


A Great Basis and Design Doesn't Save a Bad Character


Narrow Gauge

Sir Handel

Even though Duncan is my favorite NG character the proportions of his CGI model throw me off a bit. Sir Handel had no personality in the CGI Era, his classic episodes make up for it. It would make up the first 4.

Maybe after the 6 NG Engines.......Victor?? A diversity character that's well received just like Hiro.
Perhaps be a tossup between Duke, Victor, or Luke?

N Scale

Emily

I honestly think that is the inevitable choice. After Thomas, Percy, and James, I feel that the most essential character would be Emily. Obviously the most prominent female character in the whole franchise. I feel that including Emily in the range is something mandatory.

After Emily, maybe.....Gordon?

Overall there are my thoughts.

Nia and Rebeeca are considered Mary Sues of Thomas. In short, think of them like how Rey is to Star Wars.

Quote from: Cheeky_ULP on July 19, 2019, 06:15:35 PM
The CGI redesigns would make them lose their appeal, in my opinion. I'd rather the remaining classics stay classics, at this point.

It's really a double-edged sword, some have benefited with added detail and proportions, such as The First 5 NG Engines and Daisy, while some have diminished like Oliver and Duncan.

For NG rolling stock I was personally thinking about these

Regular Trucks/Narrow Gauge Open Wagons or however you like to call them.


As seen on the second half of Sir Handel's Train


As seen in CGI.


Even though they're generic wagons they would really help build NG goods trains.

I would happily welcome these.

What do you think?

Not exactly new, considering I've bought these several months back.

Might as well post an update

Isabel and Dulcie

Hornby Autocoaches





With Oliver, given that his basis was designed with these coaches for push-pull runs. In the RWS he was mostly seen was Autocoaches, but never seen with them in the TV Series, though I believe it would be cool if they were introduced in CGI, like Duck's Slip Coaches.

Overall, I think they look very nice with Oliver.
What do you think?

Considering Mattel's current marketing practices and Bachmann's track record, I really don't expect Stepney or Daisy entering the range. (At least for the time being.)

The fact that we haven't seen toys about Stepney for quite some time now, and with merch for the likes of Nia and Rebecca churned out, I doubt we would see him, even though we've seen merch for Flying Scotsman but that's another story. As for Daisy, while it's a really great thing that she was given character development that kinda was a missed opportunity in the entire model era, and she as was also given lot of screentime and portrayal compared to many of the characters that are currently in the show. Where is the merch for her?
Mattel would most likely favor Nia and Rebecca over Stepney and Daisy, of course we all know what the likely response would be if they happen if they're announced for Bachmann.

Then again, are we even going to see Stepney in CGI, with the new direction of the show?

I understand that Bachmann listens to it's consumers, and it's now doubt that Stepney and Daisy would be successful, but at the same time Mattel's standards seems to be a handicap for them.

The fact that they made the Spiteful Brakevan is seriously a blessing. A classic character who was officially killed off.

However, I'm aware that I'm the minority here, but I do think Ryan would the best character to meet a happy compromise.
Think about it he's a CGI character yes but at the same time he feels like one that would fit in the classic series, a widely appealing character to both younger and older fans alike, and he would bring color contrast to the range. Plus there's a catch seeing how Daisy and Ryan make up a duo. It would increase a demand for Daisy which would already be considered superfluous. When we got Duck, there was a demand for Oliver.

Overall if we get a new engine with new tooling for HO/OO, Ryan is my best anticipation, if he happens to be announced I actually wouldn't mind picking him up.

That's my two cents.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

P.S. I know I haven't posted for awhile, but I work long hours, I will perhaps comment on NG Range later.

Wonder if we'll get some generic open wagon for narrow gauge that resemble the ones on the show and not the Peco china clay ones.







If the Bachmann Skarloey Coaches become a hit, then I'd personally would like to these announced.

Brought new stuff

Arry and Bert


Maybe not as exciting to most, but I'd say why not? The positives is that the paintwork and hazard sprites are nicely applied. The negatives is that they have the same face, I still have respect for Bachmann for at least making them accurate. What else is there to say? However, they still decent edition to your collection, from a completist standpoint.

Skarloey

Perhaps the best purchase I've made since Duck and Donald/Douglas. I've actually took it out for a couple minutes and put it straight back in the box. Looking forward to getting Rheneas.

I might actually but in the minority here, but I actually hope that Rusty is based off his TV design. While I do like his S4 face over his S5-12 face, I don't mind Rusty being full CGI.

Another interesting note is how Rusty's CGI render has more detail then Midlander's original design

I'll say for a repaint, I would consider Paxton worth it's value, in comparison. Yeah the face might be.....big as most would say, but it doesn't seem too bad. Given how I enjoy the character in the show, this is something I would definitely pick up.