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.

I didn't say Belle and Flynn were fan favorites by any means, since we have other highly-requested characters like Whiff, Harvey, Norman and Hiro. I knew Winston had a Large Scale model, but if he was possible in HO Scale, he would not have an eye mechanism.

Anyway, the stream showed a few samples. They already have an unpainted sample of N Scale Tidmouth Sheds, and they might release an expansion pack later on so it can have more berths. We also were shown a sample of the HO Scale NW Brake Van, which was from the cancelled 80th Anniversary set. Then we were shown the face sample for HO Scale Flying Scotsman. We got to see something regarding Flying Scotsman, and it won't be much longer before we get shown the first full unpainted sample of him. Same for the fully painted sample of N Scale Henry. Both should be shown in the next stream or two.

The new HO Scale Thomas and Percy will have the same chassis as before, but can have some modifications. It's to cut down on cost and reduce the wait time. They won't look so weird next to Ryan and Stanley. Thomas will also have the red lining behind his bunker. The 8+ age range plays a factor regarding the claw on Diesel 10. It's not certain whether or not the claw will pinch, but the concern is small parts being a choking hazard. The good news is that he will not have the gap beneath his face, and will be properly fitted to his chassis.

There wasn't an N Scale engine announcement because this was a catch-up year for N Scale. At least we have Diesel, Paxton, LBSC Thomas and Origin James arriving in stock by the end of the year, with Henry soon to be shown fully painted. The 2027 catalog should for sure have Edward announced for N Scale. He's the top-requested character for N Scale, along with Duck and Oliver.

Will Percy still have counterweights is the question I wanna know?

After tonight's stream, it sounds like Thomas and Percy's chassis' will be mostly reuse. If it keeps costs down, I guess that's fine by me. The new bodies being designed around these ancient chassis' does bring up a few questions:

-Will Percy's shell remain a split design to fit around the current gearbox?

-Will the weight be improved? The plastic gearboxes make them much too lightweight.

-Will the siderods be retooled for Percy? I think Thomas should reuse the rods from Stanley as they're a perfect match. Hoping Bachmann keeps this in mind.

I think the siderods are a main concern at the moment. I really hope the old ones aren't carried over to the new models.

Besides that, Matt did allude to rear lining for Thomas and possible DCC capability for both so that's pretty neat.

Quote from: TrainFan97 on August 11, 2026, 08:48:58 PMBachmann may have to discontinue the Graham Farish N Scale tankers once they announce show-accurate ones, with the proper tooling. They did a similar thing with the Narrow Gauge vans once we got show-accurate ones. They can do the same with the N Scale tankers. Everyone will be happy once N Scale finally gets show-accurate tankers, so they can be made in a much wider variety. Other new-tooled rolling stock for N Scale we need to increase variety include the mail car, cattle wagon, salt wagon, and of course, brake vans.

The 2027 catalog should at least announce the logoless green coal wagon and gray van. Logoless rolling stock tends to sell better. And for HO Scale, separate wagons with ore loads. Troublesome Truck #8 can be a coal wagon.

I wouldn't be surprised if they at some point consider announcing the "NW" Brake van, as well as the Spiteful Brake Van since so far the latter is released in both HO & Large scale, why not in N scale to round things off, as well as giving a standard brake van that isn't Toad... Heck probably even using the upcoming 20 Ton Brake Van that'll be released later on in HO scale is another one to consider to make this logical.

I'd imagine for Troublesome Truck #8 would either be the Oil Tanker or the standard Open Wagon with the same face on the 12 Ton van, maybe modified differently expression-wise...

So it's confirmed by Matt on the live-stream earlier today that both Thomas and Percy will reuse the chassis present on their old models to keep the costs down, unless if there's some modifications to be made, like maybe reusing Stanley's side-rods since it's more closer to the CGI Thomas model we know of...

After seeing the live stream earlier today, I'm glad they're considering the "gap" issue that's been plaguing Diesel 10 and also since it works in their favor to ensure that it's fitted onto the chassis, making it like the "model" hybrid of sorts, fans can rest easy that they're keeping that in mind.

Quote from: TrainFan97 on August 13, 2026, 03:54:20 PMOther characters thought to be impossible for HO Scale include Winston and Flynn. Though Bachmann UK makes Wickham Trolleys, which Winston is based on one. Flynn has the ability to switch between rail and road wheels. Bachmann might just make Flynn's road wheels into rail wheels, like their maintenance-of-way vehicles. Both characters would be marketed as "Motive Power". Belle has water cannons, which wouldn't be very difficult to incorporate.

We're getting Flying Scotsman who has a second tender, Diesel 10 who has a claw, and maybe next, we can have Harvey, who has a crane.

We'll see what samples of previously-announced products will be shown in the stream tonight. Might be N Scale Henry fully painted. Might be Flying Scotsman's unpainted sample. We'll wait and see.

I'd say for Winston, it's not impossible since he was given a Large Scale, probably without the eye mechanism to not make it expensive... Flynn and Belle, I'd say while it could be interesting to see them, they're not a "fan favorite priority" in that regard, probably after all the requested characters be made in who knows how long into the future....

It's also great to see Bachmann take into consideration regarding Diesel 10's beloved Pinchy, which makes sense since the other factor to think about is the "8+" age range to ensure that no small parts will be a choking hazard...! Can't wait to see the model in another 2-3 year's time to see the final, finished model being released later on...!

Other characters thought to be impossible for HO Scale include Winston and Flynn. Though Bachmann UK makes Wickham Trolleys, which Winston is based on one. Flynn has the ability to switch between rail and road wheels. Bachmann might just make Flynn's road wheels into rail wheels, like their maintenance-of-way vehicles. Both characters would be marketed as "Motive Power". Belle has water cannons, which wouldn't be very difficult to incorporate.

We're getting Flying Scotsman who has a second tender, Diesel 10 who has a claw, and maybe next, we can have Harvey, who has a crane.

We'll see what samples of previously-announced products will be shown in the stream tonight. Might be N Scale Henry fully painted. Might be Flying Scotsman's unpainted sample. We'll wait and see.

It boggles my mind that we finally got some characters that have some factors that probably would've been impossible back then...: The Flying Scotsman with the extra tender to deal with packaging-wise and Diesel 10 with Pinchy (the claw) that if too tall can end up running into a bridge or tunnel not tall enough for it. It makes me appreciative to see them go above and beyond! If they do the same with Harvey, then we got the trifecta for the HO Range...!