Nice review, as always, Chaz! Now here's to hoping we'll be getting a Bachmann N-scale Oliver soon.

While it would have been nice to see engines like BoCo, Stepney, Sir Handel, etc., I'm not displeased with the updates. I think it's really cool that they're reusing Toad's tooling (GWR toads are cool brake vans), though, as others have stated before, we have had quite a few Christmas-themed sets before, so if they could make just a standard brake van with Toad's tooling, I'd be satisfied.

I'm not too surprised that the Red Coaches are being made in LS. With Annie & Clarabel already a part of the LS range, it only makes sense to make the Red Coaches (what with the similar tooling and all).

Also, on a somewhat non-Thomas related subject, I was very surprised to hear that Bachmann is making track cleaning brake vans! I wasn't expecting that at all. And I think they would make nice additions to any Sodor or British-inspired layout, without the need to order a Bachmann Branchline brake van from across the pond, or turning to eBay, etc.

I've always wanted Bachmann to make Splodge, and I had hoped they'd consider doing so since last was TATMR's 20th anniversary.

Quote from: MrNormalDraws on April 11, 2021, 06:58:36 PM

And if Splatter and Dodge were made, I could see faces 1 and/or 4 being used to help differentiate them (like Bill and Ben, as you mentioned).

I totally agree about Sir Handel. It makes so much sense, considering he is Number 3 on the Skarloey Railway (with Skarloey, Rheneas, and Rusty being released already, and with Peter Sam on the way).

Quote from: TrainFan97 on January 25, 2021, 12:31:23 AM
Season 24 was the end of an era.

I couldn't have said it better myself! I know that Thomas' Animal Friends was the final episode to air, but Thomas and the Royal Engine is a much better episode to serve as the series finale. And I know that, according to the TTTE Wiki, it was supposed to be the finale of Season 24, but it still serves as a great send off for the series proper.

Now I know that we're sad about the upcoming reboot. But at the same time, I will forever cherish the fond, wonderful memories from Thomas the Tank Engine. As they say, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

For HO

I'd love to see Stepney made (for reasons mentioned above and earlier). As far as rolling stock goes, I think it'd be nice to see the red express coaches again, considering that Bachmann re-released Gordon's express coaches.

For Large Scale

I'm not sure, honestly. When was the last time we had a major large scale announcement? Though since the human figures (e.g. Sir Topham Hatt, Farmer McColl, and the conductor) are labeled as large scale items, maybe it's time we get another human figure? If so, I'd like to see Lady Hatt first, and then Mr. Percival (I don't think he's had a lot of merchandise).

For Narrow Gauge

I'd prefer to see either Sir Handel or Duncan, and then a narrow gauge brake van.

For N

Again, like large scale, not so sure. Maybe we should see how well the N-scale range does before we start making more predictions.

I'd personally be happy with both engines. However, if I had to pick one, I would vote for Stepney. My reason is that he's a popular nostalgic character, and, as mentioned before, he is a real engine, which I think might add an appeal to any rail enthusiast.

Hope everyone here had a wonderful holiday season. I got Paxton and the GWR cattle wagon for Christmas this year!

Got Rosie for my birthday (back on November 2nd). She's a great model, and runs very well!

I love the photos, Shining Time! Your layout is very impressive!

Actually, if you're careful, there is a way to connect the different couplers. If you slip the hook of the Thomas and Friends couplers into the sockets of either a knuckle coupler or horn-hook coupler, then it would work (I'd show pictures for demonstration, but I don't have access to my layout at this moment).

Excellent review, Chaz! It makes me want to get the Bachmann Paxton even more. Also, I agree with you about the face. I'm not that bothered by it either.

P. S. I love how some of your shots are remakes of episodes with Paxton in them.

Well done on those customs! And since you made Fred Pelhay and Rickety, apparently the models of the Cargo Car and Blue Open Wagon were supposed to be those characters, and then they were cancelled.

Nice to see that Gordon's coaches are making a comeback!  I wonder if they'll be exactly the same, or if they'll be different models all together.

The other announcements are interesting, and I can't wait to see what they'll look like (especially the Spiteful Brake Van).

Hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas eve! My family and I opened up some presents today, and here are some of the amazing gifts I got.

Bachmann Green Mail Car and Refrigerator Car


There are great models, and work really well as Flying Kipper vans.

Two Bachmann Branchline Class 42 Warship Diesels


Again, these are awesome. One of them, I plan to keep as is (so I can have a cool British engine on my layout), and the other I plan to make into Diesel 10 (and just as a heads up, I don't plan to shorten the body of the one I plan to make into Diesel 10 because I like the longer body of the Warship prototype)

Anyway, I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season, and have a great time.