Another CGI character I'd like to see in HO Scale is Norman. He would complete the trio with Paxton and Sidney, and he'd also be a fun addition for non-Thomas modelers, plus his tooling can be reused for Dennis, who only appeared in the model series. Other engine repaints for HO Scale that only appeared in the model series include Splatter and Dodge, plus Smudger and Proteus for Narrow Gauge. CGI repaints of existing toolings include Blue Bill and Ben, Green Salty and Fernando.

Busy Bee James is another possible repaint for N Scale, but with LBSC Thomas and Origin James coming soon, plus we need engines like Edward and Duck, Busy Bee James is not a priority for the immediate future, but maybe after we get some more new toolings in. Same for Sidney and Mainland Diesel. I'd also like to see 'Arry and Bert for N Scale, and hopefully, Bert gets more stubble than 'Arry so they can easily be told apart. That's what got them discontinued in HO Scale; being too difficult to tell apart. The upcoming Sodor Scrap wagon would be perfect for the Ironworks twins, and you would need a whole line of them.

Along with Edward, Duck and Spencer, another newly-tooled engine for N Scale that would also be welcome is Mavis. She would recycle Thomas and Toby's chassis, and the Ffarquhar Quarry Wagon can be made for N Scale as well. Edward should be the next medium-sized engine, Duck should be the next tank engine, Spencer should be the next big engine, and Mavis should be the next newly-tooled diesel; the first one that isn't a Class 08. The first model of Mavis to actually have siderods, which only Toby's N Scale model had.

Bachmann's first Narrow Gauge engine to originate from the CGI Series would have to be Luke. If Bachmann isn't ready to get Duncan back on the cards yet, Luke can also be possible.

Really great suggestions here, Christian! I'd love to have all of these, but I especially second Diesel 10, Harvey, and Signal accessories.

I know Bachmann have stated there would be some complications with Diesel 10 and Harvey, but I think the fan reception and guaranteed sales would more than make up for it. Really hope they come to market soon!

I really love the idea of Signal accessories. It's something that is lacking in the range. Importing UK style signals is becoming more expensive, so this would especially help out US Thomas modelers. I emailed Bachmann with this suggestion last year, and I hope it is taken into consideration.

My personal wishlist includes a few more CGI characters I enjoy:

Stephen
This one seems obvious considering he pairs nicely with the new blue carriage. I think the eye mechanism would be difficult, but I think Bachmann could opt out for this release and maybe include some crew figures to make up for it.

Samson
One of my personal favorite CGI characters. He's a very unique basis that would appeal to non-Thomas modelers for customization. Another open cab engine, Bachmann could include crew figures if they wanted to opt out of the eye mechanism.

Bradford
Samson needs his trusty brake van. Being a 20 ton brake van (the same basis as the canceled N Scale one) Bachmann could tool up a 20 ton brake van in the usual CGI livery, then repaint it and add a face to make Bradford. Two birds with one stone to help spread the tooling cost across two products.

Looking forward to seeing what's next from Bachmann, and I hope some of these are taken into consideration!

HI This is the only part on the Bachmann site.  https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_627&products_id=8193
If you take out the gears and measure them per the NWSL guidelines they may be able to help. Try NWSL.com

Let us know it this works for you so we can help others.

My wife knows I hoard, nine large stackable drawers full of parts almost reaching the ceiling, but too often not the one I need. I only have some yoke parts for my Heisler, No gearbox tho.

Good luck with yours,

Loco Bill

For historical purposes I would like to know if there is a list showing all the Item Numbers of the early Black Box HO 44 Ton Switchers, when they were released as well as what their original MSRP was? These were the ones with the dual dc motors in them.

Just saw a vid on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/reel/1177844801124318

He states backwards compatibility to the previous models. 

Yay!  But wonder when!!!!

Parts used to have them but like all Bachman stuff, they don't make many parts (as the CEO has said they are not in the parts business) so by the time you know what you need, they are out. I have learned to proactively buy some parts just in case.  Some I may never use but have hoarded (per the wife) just in case.

Those Williams cars were originally sold as a four car set, 2362 - 2365, with an add on coach, 2366, also available.  No additional cars with other numbers were produced that I am aware of.

If you want additional cars, with different numbers, removing the last digit of a 2364, or 2366, coach and replacing it with a decal of a higher number is about your only option.

Len

There are basically two options:

1. Replace the reverse board with the new style that has a direction lock switch:

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77_222&products_id=10587

Instructions: https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/WilliamsReverseBoardInst(later).pdf

2. Replace the reverse board with a 50V, or higher, full wave rectifier:

Connect the pickup roller to one unmarked terminal, connect the chassis to the other. The motors connect to the +/- terminals whichever way gives you forward travel.

There used to be instructins around on how to modify the original reverse boards to add a direction lock switch, but they have pretty much disappeared. Which is probably a good thing, because the risk of damaging the board while soldering was fairly high.

Len

I assume the B&O will make a return? Looking forward to this layout.

I have a shelf layouot (17' x 25'), usually pulling 9-11 passenger cars.  Backing up around 72" curves is possible, but slow and I usually just lock my Lionel locos in forward only (especially the post war stuff).  I don't think any of my older Williams locos can do that.  The manual says that after a power loss, you have to wait 7+ seconds, then it will return to forward-neutral-reverse operation.  Any sooner than that, and it will interpret that as a marker to switch to neutral then reverse, etc.

So, is there a wiring way to bypass the electronic e-unit and just run the motors forward only?  Anybody done this?  And if so, anybody have a wiring diagram to share?  My email is [email protected] if someone has a wiring diagram for this.

Thanks!

Scott W.
Allen, TX