Well, here we are: the N scale Gordon Express Coaches. I have genuinely been really excited to get these, and now that I have DCC in some of my Thomas models, I was able to give Gordon a run with the coaches on the N scale club layout. So, I'll just give you guys my thoughts as usual.


Right off the bat, I want to talk about the overall design of these coaches. The CGI Express Coaches were never anyone's favorite design, and Bachmann knew this going into production of the coaches. They are way too thin and narrow and completely disproportionate to the rest of the engines and rolling stock in the show. So rather than going that route, I actually think that Bachmann made the right choice by creating new body shells that better capture the classic appearance of the Express Coaches.


The appeal for the CGI-style coaches would have been much more limited, and people would have looked into other alternatives. Instead, I think Bachmann has managed to create something that fits much better with the overall Thomas range. I personally think that these look a lot better this way than sticking with a design based directly on the CGI series.


Now, all of that aside, I really like the overall appearance of the coaches with Gordon. They really do capture the classic design that many fans know and love. Even though the livery is meant to represent that of the CGI series, I feel those who appreciate the classic seasons will also appreciate these as well. I have classic faces on my Thomas engines, and having a modified Gordon pulling these feels like a perfectly natural fit.


The modifications to the brake coach look especially well done. I appreciate how Bachmann managed to get the correct spacing on the far windows, indicating the brake coach. It's a simple modification, but I feel it's pretty effective.  I especially appreciate how Bachmann kept the shapes of the windows the same as they have on the show with larger windows on one side and smaller on the other.


In terms of performance, the Express Coaches run beautifully behind Gordon. The metal wheels not only look great, but they also perform very well while running on the club layout behind Gordon. The rest of my engines do not have DCC fitted to them, but when they do, I am looking forward to seeing James and Emily in particular pulling these Express Coaches as well. But for the target engine that the coaches are made for, I can easily say that Gordon looks fantastic pulling a nice rake of Express Coaches. I might actually look into getting another pair of Express Coaches to match the amount used in Season 1.


So overall, I strongly feel that Bachmann has really done a solid job of introducing these Express Coaches to the N scale range. It's definitely been weird having Gordon for so long but not having any Express Coaches for him to pull, but needless to say, Gordon's presence feels a lot more complete now. If you have Gordon and James and have plans to get Henry, or just want more rolling stock for your Thomas line in general, I would definitely recommend picking these up.

Thanks, Bachmann, for introducing these coaches, and I am looking forward to my next review being on N scale Diesel, followed by the highly anticipated model of Henry!

One more thing I actually want to ask everyone about:




Did anyone else happen to receive a box with the Lilliput logo on it by mistake? Just to be clear, these coaches use completely new body shells and are not made from Lilliput tooling. However, two of my coaches came with boxes featuring the Lilliput logo, while the other coach came in a box with the correct Bachmann branding. I'm curious if this was just an isolated packaging error or if anyone else ran into the same thing.

Quote from: Jims33 on September 07, 2026, 10:17:52 AMHi, For HOn30 Thomas line, are human figures, buildings, and other scenery available?  Or, are people just using HO scale accessories? Thanks for your advice.

At one point, Bachmann introduced a trackside station as part of their short-lived resin building line. It has been discontinued for some time now, but you may want to check eBay periodically to see if one happens to pop up.

As for accessories, Bachmann released a few different figure packs, one of which was made specifically for the 009 range. It's known as the Narrow Gauge Personnel:

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9264

Quote from: peacekeeper_b on September 07, 2026, 04:10:57 PMI have the DCC Thomas the Tank Engine and it recently stopped working. It was running fine then stopped and just doesn't work. I'm assuming its a short or fried decoder. Is there a way to get replacement parts?

My son is devastated.

I would reach out to Bachmann's service department and send the DCC Thomas in for a replacement or repair. Since it was a relatively recent release, you should be able to get it taken care of for little to no cost.

I haven't really talked too much about the new reboot, as it seems pretty clear that Mattel continues to rebrand Thomas into something that it isn't. This is now the third time in a row where they've felt the need to reinvent Thomas into something completely different from what the franchise traditionally was.

I feel like All Engines Go left a pretty sour taste in many fans' mouths, and any positive reception I've seen toward this new reboot seems to boil down to, "At least it's better than AEG." Had All Engines Go never happened, I can almost guarantee that the reaction to this reboot would be considerably more negative. Even compared to BWBA, this feels like a significant nosedive, particularly with some of the cartoony character and rolling stock designs and the child actors portraying some of the characters.

That being said, there is one thing I really do want to emphasize: I'm glad Bachmann has publicly stated that they aren't going to get involved with making new products from this reboot. Personally I think that's the best approach, otherwise, it would just be history repeating itself with Bachmann's short-lived Chuggington line.

I think the most likely outcome for this new show is that it lasts three or four seasons, much like BWBA and AEG, before Mattel pulls the plug and moves on to the next Thomas rebrand they make. If/when that happens, Bachmann may as well continue sticking with what has already been working rather than taking a shot in the dark on characters and designs whose appeal could ultimately be short-term rather than long-term.

As long as Bachmann continues prioritizing characters with long-term appeal, like Hiro and Whiff, a new HO James, and N scale models of Edward and Duck, while keeping the designs consistent, then that's really all I (as I'm sure many others), could ask for as a fan who's just as passionate about the hobby as I am about the Thomas brand as a whole.

Quote from: RailsByRick on August 13, 2026, 08:16:00 PMBesides that, Matt did allude to rear lining for Thomas and possible DCC capability for both so that's pretty neat.

That was easily the highlight of today's stream for me—the possibility that the new Thomas and Percy might be DCC ready. This is something I've discussed before, and I really hope they go this route, as DCC is the usual go-to over analog at almost every club I've been to.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if/when they get to James, I really hope they go this route and, more importantly, introduce James with DCC and sound on board like they did with Thomas and Percy. They already have James's sounds in the DCC module, so I think it would be well worth the investment to make these newly revised models DCC ready and kill two birds with one stone by introducing James as DCC-ready while also giving people another version of James with DCC and sound installed and ready to go.

Quote from: thomasj219 on August 11, 2026, 11:32:13 AMNever even had him in my signature because I just didn't think it would be a possibility.

We probably aren't that far off from seeing Harvey off your signature considering the recent direction we've been going.

Quote from: Luke22 on August 10, 2026, 12:14:24 PMIF they were to introduce any new engines for the LS range, realistically it would have to be either a repaint like turning James into "Origins James" or a rebuild like 'Arry and Bert, Sidney, or the Mainland Diesel... I mean we haven't seen anyone new aside from a repaint of Thomas' LBSC livery...

I'm inclined to think that this is the direction the Large Scale line is going to go as well. Considering that any new tooling introduced in recent years, such as the box van and Diesel/Paxton, has been for something that can be reused for another character or piece of rolling stock, it's pretty clear that Bachmann isn't interested in creating entirely new tooling for something that can only represent one specific engine or piece of rolling stock. The recent introduction of Henrietta and Hannah further supports this.

That said, if we do get a new engine tooling in Large Scale, I'm inclined to think it will be Rosie. She's going to be a main character in the new reboot, she's a smaller engine with a nice color contrast, and, more importantly, Bachmann could reuse the tooling to introduce her in her pink livery either alongside her current red one or sometime further down the road. 

Since I plan to collect the range at some point, one engine I'd like to see is Mavis, since she'd be a new diesel that wouldn't just be an 08 repaint, and her chassis could potentially be reused from Toby's. However, I'm inclined to think that it's more than likely going to take a fully reusable tooling, rather than just a chassis that can be reused, for a new engine project to be greenlit. But I'd love to be proven wrong. Edward would be at the top of my personal wishlist, with Mavis being a close second, but sadly, I don't see him happening anytime soon. Again, I'd love to be proven wrong.

Quote from: TEHNewClearwaterFeatures on August 05, 2026, 07:33:33 PMI know what you're all thinking..."Why does Edward even deserve to be retooled? His HO model is perfect the way it is." HELLOOOO!!!! Edward has to match his CGI counterpart!

The reason why people are pushing for James and not Edward is because the James model has a lot more evident flaws than Edward does, right down to the build quality and some of the more obvious design flaws, such as the lack of a front hook-and-loop coupler.

Edward is a pretty low to nonexistent priority for fans, not because of the face, but because of the build quality and overall representation of the character is a lot more accurate, regardless of the face being CGI or not.  When there are more glaring flaws with Thomas, Percy, and James compared to other characters like Edward (or even Gordon and Henry, for that matter), naturally, more people are going to lean toward those characters receiving revisions first.

Paxton is probably the only other engine besides James who could benefit from a revision at this time, and even then, it would really just be a matter of updating the eye mechanism and giving Paxton a new face.

I had to give myself some time to process just how mind-blowing the recent announcements were, and honestly, I'm still taking everything in. That said, they've definitely made me more optimistic about what the future could hold, as the possibilities for Bachmann's ranges now seem wider than ever.

With that in mind, here are my thoughts and suggestions for the 2027 catalog and NMRA announcements, starting with HO.

HO/OO

First off, I think HO needs to take a breather from adding more engines. We've just gotten three new engines announced, including Diesel 10 and new toolings for Thomas and Percy, Scotsman was announced last year, Sidney and the Mainland Diesel have just had their painted samples revealed, and we still have the ongoing Salty situation. However, I do think it's fair to talk about characters that additions that have strong stronger odds going for them than before because of these new announcements.


If we do get another engine, however, I think 'Arry and Bert are the obvious candidates for a reintroduction. Their existing chassis and mechanism are still being used for other diesel models, so they should be relatively straightforward to bring back. More importantly, they've become incredibly difficult to find, and whenever they appear on the secondhand market, they tend to command high prices. 

I think there is clearly a market for them now. The main thing Bachmann would need to address is better differentiation between their faces, which I believe was one of the biggest weaknesses of their original release.  Either way I feel like these would be a lot more of a welcome addition to the range than Fernando by a longshot.


The other major consideration is a new model of James. With Thomas and Percy receiving completely new tooling, James is going to stand out considerably more. He would be the only major HO engine without a front hook-and-loop coupler, his face is noticeably outdated compared with the rest of the lineup, and his motor and mechanism will likely be considerably older than those of the new Thomas and Percy.

After James, I personally believe that these three, along with a new face for Paxton, are the only existing models that really need an upgrade at this time. After a new James model, I think Bachmann could start looking at additional new tender engines again, particularly Hiro.


Finally, Diesel 10 makes Harvey considerably more interesting as a possibility. Fans have been suggesting Harvey for years, and I think he would make a very well-received addition following Diesel 10. In fact, I think many fans were expecting Harvey to be introduced before Diesel 10, so the fact that Diesel 10 ended up being announced first only makes Harvey seem like an even more likely candidate going forward.

For HO/OO rolling stock, my thoughts are exactly the same as earlier so I'll just copy/paste the message from my last post:

Troublesome truck #8 (coal wagon)
Slip coaches
Sodor mail car reintroduction
Classic oil tanker reintroduction
Utility van (repaints of the mail car tooling)

Truck 8 was explained earlier in another post.  I like how Bachmann is starting to cater to both model and cgi eras for rolling stock designs. It gives me a reasonable amount of hope that older rolling stock decals can finally make a big reintroduction.  I would especially love a return of the classic oil tanker.  The slip coaches feel like the next obvious new rolling stock tooling. They're an obscure piece of rolling stock in CGI that have been used pretty frequently.  If Bachmann went ahead with a new tooling for a blue open carriage of all things, I can totally see the slip coaches getting introduced soon.  Especially with Duck and Oliver still being top sellers.

Narrow Gauge

I'm going to quote the second half of my recent post in the narrow gauge thread since it explains pretty clearly what I want next with the tippers crossed off:

Quote from: Chaz on July 28, 2026, 01:02:46 AM
For one thing, I definitely think more rolling stock is the most likely option, since we're still unsure of Duncan's status. Personally, I'd really like to see them introduce the three-plank wagons used in both the model and CGI series.


More than anything else, though, we definitely need a tan brake van for goods trains. Bachmann revisiting the brake van with a tan livery would be a very welcome addition, and I hope it's something they can announce sooner rather than later.



A close second for me in terms of narrow gauge rolling stock repaints would have to be the narrow gauge coaches with faces. I feel like these would be a very welcome addition for both Thomas fans and OO9 modelers alike, and the expressive faces really seal the deal. They'd not only be fun display pieces but also practical additions to the range, making them something I hope Bachmann seriously considers for the future.

As for the next engine, well... I think it's anyone's guess at this point. It seems pretty clear that it'll be either Luke, Millie, or Victor.



Personally, if I had to choose between the three, Luke is the only one I'd be genuinely excited for. I don't really feel one way or the other about the other two. Luke, on the other hand, feels like a much more natural addition to the range and would probably be the best received of the three.

N Scale

This is where I'm going to be more direct.


I understand why Bachmann hasn't announced another N scale engine this year. Henry only just had his engineering sample shown, and there are already several engines awaiting release dates. When the time comes, however, Edward and/or Duck should be at the top of the list based on their consistent popularity in fan requests, the sales of their HO models, and their continued relevance to the brand throughout Mattel's various rebrands, including the new 2026 series.

N scale rolling stock is where I have considerably more concerns.

Bachmann has made N scale rolling stock choices that seem to go against what fans have consistently requested. This is regarding the the brake van and coal wagon.


If another brake van is introduced, I strongly believe it should be the LNER 20 ton brake van. Fans have repeatedly expressed a preference for this over the LMS brake van, and Bachmann already has experience with this type in HO and large scale. With very limited brake van options currently available in N scale, this seems like the obvious choice, especially with the several liveries and variants that could be offered to help justify the tooling cost, including the Spiteful Brake Van.  With the LMS brake van thankfully getting cancelled, this does leave the door open for a LNER brake van to be reconsidered. 


That said, I'm even more disappointed that the original coal wagon with load was skipped in favor of the Sodor Coal Co. car and mining wagon. Fans have repeatedly asked for the original coal wagon, which was actually used on the show and continues to be a popular seller in HO. Many fans have also specifically said they would prefer it over the other two options we actually received, including on this forum. This alone speaks high volume of how much this was a poor decision.

This isn't simply a case of Bachmann choosing something different from my personal preference. Fans have been unusually consistent about what they wanted here, which is why I hope the original coal wagon with load is prioritized if another N scale repaint is considered. At this point, I would personally put it ahead of virtually any other repaint, regardless of whether it's a wagon repaint or a different tooling.



My third request is a new tanker tooling. The existing tankers inherited from Graham Farish have never been particularly accurate compared with the show, and Bachmann hasn't introduced a new tanker in N scale since 2020, more or less implying that they were not good sellers.  It also doesn't help that these are the most expensive freight rolling stock currently in Bachmann's N scale lineup.  A new N scale tanker tooling would give them plenty of options, not only allowing them to reintroduce the same three from earlier, (fuel, oil, and water), with an accurate tooling, but also finally giving them the opportunity to add new tanker variants to N scale that could sell very well in the future including milk, tar, toffee, and several others.


This seems like a particularly worthwhile investment, especially given what Bachmann has already done with the large scale tankers.  I'd say this is a very close second behind the LNER brake van in terms of new tooling considerations for N scale rolling stock.

I realize this is probably one of my more critical posts, but I'm not expressing these opinions in particularly out of personal frustration. I've seen many other fans express similar concerns, particularly regarding the recent N scale rolling stock choices. The red express coaches were the only ones fans seemed to openly welcome, but the rest have been mixed.  I hope Bachmann considers some of these alternatives going forward.

Large Scale

I'm not expecting a new tooling in large scale in the immediate future, so I'm primarily looking at repaints and upgrades.

My biggest request would be factory-installed DCC and sound for James, Emily, and Toby, as well as a reintroduction of Percy with DCC and sound. The existing sound modules already have sounds for these characters, so this seems like a relatively straightforward way to expand the DCC side of the range without requiring completely new tooling.

As someone planning to get into large scale myself, I would much rather purchase models with DCC and sound already installed than have to buy the modules separately and pay for installation and speakers. I think factory-installed options could also make the range more accessible to newer hobbyists. 

For rolling stock, I'd like to see the tar tanker return with the updated decals from the new HO model, as well as the gray 12-ton van and the Sodor Fuel tanker in large scale with the model era decals, similar to the large scale Tidmouth Milk tanker introduction this year. I'd also welcome a reintroduction of the original coal wagon with load.

And that's about everything I have to say for now.

Despite my frustrations with some of the N scale rolling stock decisions, I'm actually feeling more optimistic about Bachmann's future than I have in a long time. The recent NMRA announcements have opened up a lot of possibilities, and the new Thomas and Percy tooling demonstrates that Bachmann is willing to make significant investments when the opportunity is right.

Whether these suggestions happen in 2027, 2028, or further down the road, I hope Bachmann will consider them. There's a lot of potential here, and I'm excited to see where the ranges go next.

Anyway, I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks.

Quote from: TrainFan97 on August 03, 2026, 02:07:23 AMOh dear. If there is a massive backlash regarding Pinchy not having the ability to open, I hope this doesn't lead to Diesel 10 being cancelled. Either it's going to stay that way, or Bachmann will look into figuring out how to make it work for everyone to be happy.

Relax. Just because the claw is closed and some fans aren't happy about it, that doesn't mean Diesel 10 is going to be cancelled.

As stated earlier, the claw itself is likely static due to pricing, and I imagine the 8+ age restriction likely played a factor in this as well. Otherwise, the claw would probably be too brittle and break off much more easily. I originally thought the whole claw with arm was going to be almost completely static, but the fact that the claw is going to move at all, especially with 360° rotation and the arm moving up and down, is already incredible in itself. 

For the record, while I do understand some of the frustration that Bachmann isn't going "the extra mile" here, remember that Bachmann outright said pricing was the biggest issue preventing them from doing Diesel 10 in the past. The fact that he's coming out at all, and that Bachmann found a way to make it work despite a small sacrifice being made here, shows that Bachmann did listen to what the fans said and found a way to make it happen.  That in itself is commendable.

Well, we did get some questions answered today, as a fan shared publicly that the bodies and faces of Thomas and Percy will be upgraded, while the chassis on both will remain the same with some upgrades of their own.

Even though a completely new chassis would have been nice, I understand why they'd want to retain some of the original chassis design. If anything, I'm slightly relieved they're going this route because I own the DCC versions of both Thomas and Percy, and I was wondering if I'd be able to transfer the modules from the older models to the new ones. Knowing that the chassis will remain largely the same makes that seem like a much more likely possibility.

Plus, it's not like they're taking the cheap route here, since they've confirmed that the chassis on both models will receive upgrades, which I'm perfectly happy with. If anything, maybe this could be a good chance for Bachmann to make these two DCC-ready... 🤞

I'm also loving the official confirmation that the designs are going to look like the renders used in the brochure and not the awful BWBA designs with those ugly rivet details. Can't complain there!

Quote from: Cheeky_ULP on August 02, 2026, 04:22:15 PMThis has me thinking too: if this new Thomas and Percy are being designed with their DCC Sound variants in mind, then it's possible we could see a DCC Sound James on the horizon too.

I genuinely hope they do this, especially since they already have sounds available for James in both HO and large scale. Hopefully, when they eventually announce a new James, they can offer a standard analog version as well as a DCC and sound version.

I was actually just reading through that old thread last night after the "leak" went out. Talk about a flashback!

I'm really happy that the new versions of Thomas and Percy have been announced. The fact that they are brand-new tools with updated designs is something fans have wanted for a very long time. Even if you are not a CGI fan, the face is an easy fix, and the bodies are, more likely than not, going to be based on the earlier Nitrogen renders, as shown by the illustrations in the brochure and not those awful designs from BWBA with the incessant rivet details that no one likes.

I am also curious what this means for other products featuring Thomas and Percy, such as the different starter sets, the DCC and sound models that were released last year, and, of course, the various Thomas variants, the LBSC Thomas in particular.

I'd like to think that this is going to be much more of a gradual upgrade/release with all these in mind. James will definitely be the odd one out for some time now, but I have no doubt that, depending on how Thomas and Percy do, he will be next to receive this full-on upgrade.

Apart from James and a new face for Paxton, I don't see Bachmann doing this for other engines like Gordon and Henry, since I feel their flaws are a lot more minor than those on Thomas, Percy, and James (besides Henry's tender being too short).  Even if later down the road we only receive new models of Thomas, Percy and (eventually), James, that is an incredible win for the fans because of how popular this request has been and how long it's been pushed for (as far back as 2009!)

Either way, it's great seeing Bachmann giving Thomas and Percy these long-overdue modern upgrades, and I'm curious to see what's in store for them once we see/hear more updates.

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/documents/2026NMRA.pdf

Well, Matt wasn't kidding when he said these announcements would come out of nowhere; wow!

Imagine my shock when the first thing I saw was the new Thomas and Percy models. The original versions have been around for over two decades and were long overdue for a complete redesign. Fans have been asking for updated models for well over a decade, so it's fantastic to finally see them happen. Never did I expect them to be announced alongside the other reveal, which I'll get to in a moment, but Bachmann truly surprised everyone with this lineup.

Diesel 10 is, in my opinion, one of the craziest announcements Bachmann has ever made—and I mean that in the best way possible. Despite not appearing much in recent years, he's remained one of the franchise's most iconic characters, largely because of Magic Railroad and his continued popularity throughout the CGI era. Although he had reportedly been turned down a few times before, it's great to see Bachmann finally bringing him to the range. I'm especially curious to see how they're going to handle "Pinchy" and how it will function on the model. That alone is going to be a major talking point for quite some time.

If I'm being honest, I'm actually more excited for Diesel 10 than Flying Scotsman. It'll be a day-one purchase for me; something I didn't expect to say about an HO release for quite a while. I also think this gives Harvey a much stronger chance of happening in the future. Diesel 10 is an absolute winner and will likely become one of the best-selling models in the Bachmann Thomas range, right alongside the original Steam Team and other fan favorites like Duck, Diesel, Oliver, and Daisy.

Moving on to the rolling stock, I absolutely love the new stone wagons. The varied color palette gives each one its own identity without looking overly bright or out of place. I can easily see fans buying these by the handful to build long stone trains.

The chocolate syrup tanker is one of those repaints that I could personally take or leave. I think the toffee tanker would have made more sense first, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out for the future.

I'm not surprised that we aren't getting a new narrow gauge engine this year, but I am glad to see more rolling stock. The tippers were one of the most obvious choices, and I have little doubt we'll eventually see Talyllyn Railway versions as well, especially considering the gondolas have just received their real-life liveries. That said, I would have preferred the tan brake van, although I have a feeling it's probably not far behind.

Ironically, the announcements I'm least excited about are the N scale releases, since usually it's been the exact opposite.

I completely understand why there isn't a new engine announcement yet. We still have five engines in development, and Henry has only recently reached the engineering sample stage. I have no issue with that, and I'm confident we'll see another new engine announcement next year.

The red express coaches were an obvious choice and are easily one of the highlights of the lineup. They're probably my favorite N scale announcement in this lineup, and I'm definitely looking forward to picking up a set when they're released.

The coal wagons, however, are a hard pass for me. I had a feeling the Sodor Coal Co.  wagon would come first, but introducing both that and the mining wagon before the original coal wagon with a load is disappointing. The original version has been requested far more often, especially since it actually appeared in the television series, so it's frustrating that we have to wait even longer for it. That said, the blue open wagon announced this year came exactly one year after the Sodor Scrap Co. wagon, so hopefully that means the original coal wagon is still on Bachmann's radar.

The FunFair vans will undoubtedly look great when they're finished, but they're not a priority for me. Personally, I would have preferred the gray vent van, though I hope that's still a possibility for the future.

Perhaps the most predictable announcement of the entire lineup was the N scale Tidmouth Sheds. Ever since the N scale Roundhouse was announced two years ago, this seemed inevitable. While I don't currently plan on purchasing the Tidmouth Sheds, I'm genuinely happy to see the N scale range expanding beyond engines and rolling stock with its first structure. I'd love to see more structures added in the future, such as Cranky, the plastic water towers, and perhaps even resin buildings if we're lucky. It's definitely a step in the right direction, and I'm all for it.

And... the award for the most poorly aged forum post I've ever made goes to...

Quote from: Chaz on June 15, 2026, 01:36:20 AMI don't collect large scale, but mark my words, but the moment they announce Henrietta I will start collecting G scale and look into joining a local club.

Ohhhh boy...

In all seriousness, I'm really happy that Henrietta is finally coming to the Large Scale range. Much like the new Thomas and Percy models, this is something fans have wanted for well over a decade, and it's an incredibly welcome addition. At the same time, it's obvious why this tooling is happening, with Hannah being announced alongside her. It reinforces the idea that Bachmann is more willing to invest in new tooling when it can be reused for multiple products. Honestly, I'm perfectly fine with that if it means the Large Scale range continues to grow. I'm genuinely looking forward to starting my collection.

Overall, I'm excited about the vast majority of these announcements, and I think most of them will be very well received once they're released. I'm looking forward to seeing future updates on all of these projects and, hopefully, even more announcements down the road. Quite a few of these will be day-one purchases for me.

Before I do that, though, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence for my wallet, because it looks like I'll be starting a Large Scale collection sooner rather than later.

So... about those diecast reveals today.

Time for another review - so soon after the figure pack reviews too? I'm as shocked as you all are.


Thankfully, I was able to get a lot of fun pieces of rolling stock recently, and I figured now was as good a time as any to bring them up in the narrow gauge thread. Especially now that the project log for narrow gauge is empty (a first for Bachmann!). I imagine we'll probably see some new narrow gauge announcements this weekend at NMRA, so we'll see.

I'll start with the stock that was announced the earliest and then move on to the more recent additions.

High Side Wagons:


The high side wagons have a very vibrant look to them. They feel very colorful and look the part for the wagons used at the Blue Mountain Quarry. I really love the attention to detail on these, especially the BMQ plates on both sides of each wagon.


The metal wheels, as always, look great and help with performance on layouts. It really makes me glad that Bachmann has moved away from Peco repaints for good, as those never performed well on switches, especially on my club layout.


While I feel these may not be favorites for everyone, especially those looking for something with a bit more of an industrial vibe, I think they do justice for anyone looking to create a Blue Mountain Quarry-themed setup.

Gondolas:


Now these really took me by surprise. Unlike the high side wagons, these have a much more industrial feel to them.


I love the livery applications on all of them. I especially appreciate how Bachmann took the time to add different shades of gray, something they've never done before. The closest comparison I can think of is when they introduced HO wagons in different shades of blue and green. Going for a less colorful contrast is something I fully welcome. Even the oxide red works really well.

These could definitely work as solid wagons for carrying general goods, not just mining or slate traffic for the Blue Mountain Quarry.



And probably the best for last: the gunpowder vans.


But first, I do need to address the elephant in the room. Yes, a D. Fusit gunpowder van from Bachmann. I never saw this coming before the announcement. The fact that they even bothered with gunpowder vans, let alone something as niche as one used in Season 4, is wholeheartedly welcome. I love the effort put into the decal work for both layers of text. This looks like the Season 4 prop brought right into OO9 scale.


I loved receiving this one so much that I had to get myself a second, simply because I have very fond memories of using the ERTL toys when I was a kid, as they were available in two-packs.


The gray and tan gunpowder vans also look very nice. Again, I love how Bachmann went with liveries that aren't overly colorful or bright. Both of these make for excellent set dressing in goods yards or, at the very least, rolling stock that could be seen in the background of episodes or fan-made remakes.


Overall, I really do love all of these new additions to Bachmann's narrow gauge range. It's nice seeing Bachmann expand the rolling stock variety by exploring different types of wagons, or, in the most recent case, something as niche as the diffuse gunpowder van.

So now that the backlog for narrow gauge is empty... what could be next for Bachmann?  I figured now is as good of a time as any other to talk about narrow gauge predictions on here because of the empty backlog.


For one thing, I definitely think more rolling stock is the most likely option, since we're still unsure of Duncan's status. Personally, I'd really like to see them introduce the three-plank wagons used in both the model and CGI series.


But if they want to go with something a bit more CGI-exclusive, I feel like tippers would be a pretty safe option as well.


More than anything else, though, we definitely need a tan brake van for goods trains. Bachmann revisiting the brake van with a tan livery would be a very welcome addition, and I hope it's something they can announce sooner rather than later.



A close second for me in terms of narrow gauge rolling stock repaints would have to be the narrow gauge coaches with faces. I feel like these would be a very welcome addition for both Thomas fans and OO9 modelers alike, and the expressive faces really seal the deal. They'd not only be fun display pieces but also practical additions to the range, making them something I hope Bachmann seriously considers for the future.

As for the next engine, well... I think it's anyone's guess at this point. It seems pretty clear that it'll be either Luke, Millie, or Victor.



Personally, if I had to choose between the three, Luke is the only one I'd be genuinely excited for. I don't really feel one way or the other about the other two. Luke, on the other hand, feels like a much more natural addition to the range and would probably be the best received of the three.

Either way, I think it's pretty clear that Bachmann is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon with all these new product releases coming so quickly—and with more on the way.

I've been behind on a lot of things lately, but I really wanted to get around to finally taking the time to giving an in-depth review of the Bachmann figure packs. Sorry I'm over a year late but I've had to juggle work, life, and even working on writing a book.  But you know what they say... Better late than never.


Back to the figure packs.  When these were first announced, I was genuinely excited. They felt like one of the most innovative and surprising announcements Bachmann had made in years. This is especially noteworthy considering Bachmann had previously stated that figures would never be introduced due to choking hazards. Yet here we are; just as Bachmann once denied plans for the narrow gauge engines or DCC and sound-equipped Thomas engines, only to later deliver them.

I'm simply glad these figure packs exist at all, but like everything else, they deserve a fair and balanced review. So, although I'm over a year late (sorry Rick!), here are my thoughts:




Before breaking down each pack, I want to talk about the overall strengths and weaknesses of the figure range, starting with the strengths:

1. Closer to Scale



These figures are much closer to proper scale than earlier attempts. In the past, if you wanted a Sir Topham Hatt or other characters on your layout, the options were not ideal. You either had the large HO Sir Topham Hatt from 2002 (which works really well for G scale), an ERTL figure or used unrelated figures like LEGO. These new packs finally feel authentic to the Bachmann Thomas line.



2. Versatility Across Systems


^{(Before anyone gets worried, I do have a spare push along RWS Thomas still in its packaging, I was just lucky enough to come across another earlier this year..!)}
They're not just for OO layouts; they work surprisingly well with Trackmaster, Wooden Railway, die cast and other toy ranges. While not perfectly in scale with toys or HO/OO models, they're versatile enough to bridge the gap.



3. Diversity of Figures



Bachmann deserves praise for including a wide variety of characters. Beyond the well-known Hatt family, we also get railway staff, farmers, and schoolchildren.  There's some genuine diversity in gender and race in some of these figures. This feels far more natural and inclusive than some of Mattel's more forced approaches in recent years, particularly during BWBA.



4. Fine Details



The painted faces, buttons, logos, and accessories like oil cans or purses are impressive: details rarely attempted at this scale. The Blue Mountain Quarry logo on the narrow gauge crew, or Farmer Trotter's shovel, are small touches that bring the figures to life.



5. Unique Poses



Not every figure is standing stiffly with arms at their sides. Lady Hatt holding her purse, the narrow gauge driver with his oil can, or even Farmer Trotter with his shovel add personality and variety to a scene.


So while there is a lot of positive things I can say about these figure packs, they are far from perfect.  So here are some areas on what I personally feel does not work:



1. Bases and Pegs



Bases are practical for figures: they keep figures upright and are even removable. But once removed, the feet have visible pegs, which hurts realism and complicates layout use. To make them work seamlessly, modelers have to sand down the pegs and create new clear bases and glue them down to have them stand up without falling down. Personally, I would have preferred either no bases at all (with flat feet) or transparent bases instead of the dark green.


2. Scale Issues



While advertised as OO/HO compatible, the figures run slightly oversized compared to true scale. This may have been intentional to allow for painted facial features and clothing details, but it creates an odd mismatch next to standard figures. For modelers who prize accuracy, this is a drawback.

So while the figure packs do have their flaws, including some fans may find subjective, I think the pros on these figure packs outweigh the cons and I feel that these will help add life to many modeler's layouts.  Now let's get into each pack!



The Hatt Family:



This pack is a standout. Sir Topham Hatt looks far more accurate than the 2002 figure, and including Lady Hatt, the grandchildren, and even Dowager Hatt was a pleasant surprise. Dowager, in particular, became more prominent in the CGI era, and her inclusion makes the set versatile. These figures can also double as generic passengers.



Although not a part of the figure packs I did want to touch on Sir Topham Hatt's car real quick. It is another highlight and a very appropriate addition to go with the figures.  It sticks out with painted details on the radiator, wheels, and trim. It feels authentic to both the model and CGI eras and will look great in a wide range of layouts or scenes.

Railway Personnel:


This set is packed with charm; especially the figure based on Doug Blaine, which is a thoughtful nod. The signalman's long gray coat, the station master with his pocket watch, and the variety of shades in the uniforms give them individuality. These are perfect for layouts featuring sheds, stations, or yards.

Farmers and Animals:


The animals are repaints of existing Bachmann livestock, but they blend well into the Thomas range. The farmers themselves are nicely contrasted, and Katy the sheepdog is a real gem — faithful to her TV counterpart and full of personality. While both the farmer packs are more niche, they're perfect for countryside layouts and farm scenes.

Teacher and Schoolchildren:


Another fun pack with plenty of versatility. The teacher was even reused as a passenger in CGI episodes, which adds authenticity. I also appreciate the diversity among the children, including small details like glasses. These figures double well as background passengers for stations.

Narrow Gauge Personnel


Perhaps my personal favorite. Released the same year as Skarloey's 10th anniversary in the Bachmann range, this set feels especially timely. Mr. Percival and his wife are excellent additions, while the narrow gauge drivers and workmen help bring life to OO9 setups. Like the railway staff, this is a pack many modelers will likely buy multiples of. The spare Mr. and Mrs. Percival figures work really well as passenger figures too.

Final Thoughts:



Bachmann went above and beyond with these figure packs. They're not flawless by any means, but the level of effort, detail, and inclusivity shines through. They add a much-needed human element to layouts and collections, something fans have wanted for decades.

I truly hope these aren't a one-off release with only these six packs and no further expansion. More packs featuring passengers, a brass band, or even Sodor celebrities would be welcome. These figures prove that Bachmann is willing to innovate and take risks once thought impossible.

Thank you, Bachmann, for bringing these figure packs to life. I look forward to seeing where you take them next.