Is there a sufficient demand to support producing characters that have had relatively small screen time? Bachmann have already produced most of the more popular characters and although fans may ask for some of the lesser known ones, the chance of them being made is rather slim. It'd be a far better move to get some modelling tools and start building your own, it's a great way to learn skills and far more satisfying than simply getting a model out of a box and placing it on some track. 

Will be placing orders for Arry and Bert at some point this year.

Jack

Nice to see the Red Coaches getting made, might need to complete my own attempt now.



Jack

I'm holding off from making any video with my Duck until I have mine looking a little more show accurate. Not that the model is flawed, but there are a few things I want to sort. No fun in just taking a model out of the box and keeping it as it is 



Quite happy with the model overall (I will say why later) but there are a few niggles here and there. I'll be keeping the Hook and Loop couplings given the majority of my stock use them, might convert him to have Kadees or EZ-Mates at some point. Front end is getting a working 4mm scale screw link coupling for aesthetic reasons, started doing this to most of my locomotives and I find it improves them somewhat.



Another issue I sorted was the bufferbeam. Why the buffers couldn't have come from the factory with red paint is beyond me, but it just looks strange. Easily enough, I masked the bufferbeams and gave them a coat of primer, then a coat of red paint. Not too happy with the end result so I'm going to fit him with sprung buffers, just out of personal preference.



This is Duck as of this morning. Decided to redo the eyebrows for a more classic look. Look at the cab, notice anything different?



After some work, I managed to give him a fully open cab. Will eventually build a dummy backhead around the PCB and wires, so it isn't too jarring. Biggest benefit of Duck's design however is in his bunker.





Duck's coal is removable. Great stuff, going to build up a mock bunker and fill it with real coal as it looks better. Can we have this as a standard feature of future steam engines? Really a great thing to include!

He's a good model, I'll be back soon with more progress. 

Jack

Actually, Bachmann have been rather clever. Rather than compromise and make Thomas & co a range of 1/32 (Gauge 1) models, they've scaled them to the large scale range and they're roughly 1/24. All you really have to do is regauge them and they're exactly to scale.

Just purchased Emily & some wagons for that exact purpose, spoke to a few people who have been working to G64 (Standard Gauge G scale) and they've commented that the Bachmann Thomas range is a godsend.

See some example conversions here: http://www.forum.gscalecentral.net/G64-Troublesome-Truck-Conversion-m122589-p6.aspx

Jack

Quote from: therailwayinspector on September 03, 2012, 07:29:38 AM

Quote from: AJW98Productions on August 31, 2012, 08:54:29 PM

Quote from: DinoNTrains on August 31, 2012, 06:15:10 PM

Quote from: donaldthescotishtwin on August 31, 2012, 10:03:09 AM
The site I always got my Bachmanns from has closed down sadly I knew the owner well also.

RIP

donaldthescottishtwin: my condolences about the site owner you knew.

My condolences as well

Hi chaps- a little misunderstanding seems to have taken place- the site owner didn't pass away- he merely closed the shop as it was becoming too much work for him having other work to do as well.

I believe he was saying R.I.P in regard to the site being closed, not the actual people running the site. 

Jack

Quote from: donaldthescotishtwin on September 01, 2012, 12:00:48 PM
You won't get much with that size.

I would disagree with that, I've seen far better looking layouts that are small in size compared to large ones with a few loops.

Jack

Just buy it on DVD when it comes out. 

Jack

Quote from: GN.2-6-8-0 on July 22, 2012, 09:50:01 PM
Wondering if there will ever be a DCC spectrum quality line of Thomas the tank engine locomotives and passenger/freight cars ??

I doubt it, the range is marketed at the toy end of the market.

Jack

You know, I can't wait for Duck. Can't help but feel he'll be the last of the classic characters, but that's not a bad thing.

Jack

Quote from: PasqualeCS96 on August 01, 2012, 09:42:11 PM
Bachmann Branchline in the States would be nice too...

You can get items from Bachmann's Branchline range in the states, as long as you go to a Bachmann dealer. It may take time, but they should be able to get items from any of Bachmann's ranges in for you.

Jack

Quote from: shining time on June 12, 2012, 08:49:53 PM

Quote from: TobyTheTram16 on June 12, 2012, 05:18:15 PM
I've switched some of my thomas Locos & stock to screw link couplers.

whats a screw-link coupler

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_coupling#Buffers_and_chain

Read this and you'll understand.

Jack

Nice, have been looking at these items myself as I fancy building a garden railway with British styled items.

Don't suppose you have any reference pictures of the set up installed in the chassis do you?

Jack

Quote from: Choobacca on April 05, 2012, 04:51:10 AMI'm sure I've read somewhere that Kader who make the Bachmann Thomas range also have some tooling for a Guards Brake van with a working light at the back?

Hornby made some (I think!) back in the 70s, but I've never seen a ready to run Mainline/Bachmann Branchline example.

Jack

Quote from: JLK2707 on March 25, 2012, 07:44:06 PM
I agree. I think that Bachmann should fix up their HO Scale models of Thomas, James and Percy. More people will buy them if they are TV series accurate.

They're pretty much TV series accurate as they are now, bar a few details here and there.

Considering the models were amongst the first in the range, I find them acceptable. Yes, a retool would be nice but it's not really essential.

Jack

Quote from: Sparks on March 21, 2012, 01:30:28 PM
I was wondering when you'd finally get to doing this. Let me know when the parts for the brake coach come in. I have some spare Annie and Clarabels I'd like to try this with.

Looking at the parts, it should be about $20 for the parts to make 3 composite coaches and 1 brake coach. This will include the replacement roof vents and a few misc details.

Yesterday I continued working on the first one. At the moment I'm making two composites as I'm still working on the parts to make the brake end. One thing I have noticed is the new ends do stand out by a millimeter or so, but it's not too noticeable.



Not a huge difference, but still adds a bit of length to the body.

As you can see, I got the body into a coat of primer to ensure everything was flush and smooth. My biggest fear was creating something that wasn't identical to the Bachmann end, but it's extremely close.





Quite happy with how it turned out, so I cleaned a few areas and sprayed it again, making sure everything was clean and flush.







After letting it dry, I proceeded with the body paint. Whilst I did buy it for Arthur, I do have a large can of the stuff so I have plenty. Not a 100% match for the TV series, but I prefer it. Reminds me of Midland Railway livery infact.







Few shots to show how it compares to Annie & Clarabel. I've yet to paint the chassis and alter the cab roof.







Just got the other 2 to do to so I can have a rake, then I'll have a nice bespoke set of coaches. Currently working on the other composite, and I should have the brake end done soon.

Any comments, questions and criticism are welcomed!

Quote from: Skarloey on March 23, 2012, 07:28:58 AMAs for my modelling, I've managed to find a few reference shots for my RWS Ffarquhar station layout. and I've already started setting up a track plan. As for rolling stock, I think I will start with a RWS Thomas (Post Thomas Comes to Breakfast) by literally creating a new front for Thomas, while keeping the same hooks, lamp irons, and buffers. thankfully, the footplate is a separate piece, so while repainting it black, I won't worry about getting any on the main body shell.

Looking forward to seeing it. I started RWS modelling a few years back, but doing the Television Series is my true love.

Jack