I just had a thought on a potential design method Bachmann could use to make Duck's Slip Coaches faces.

https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Slip_Coaches_(T%26F)

Maybe they could design a single Slip Coach body, as all 3 Slip Coaches are mostly the same in the TV Series with only the faces being different. When they design the Slip Coach, they would make it so that the front of the coach has a special slot that can only be accessed when the model is disassembled. Bachmann could then design 3x interchangeable plates that they could slip in to that special slot when the model is assembled, with each plate having a different Slip Coach face. That way, when assembling potentially Slip Coach 1, Slip Coach 2, and Slip Coach 3, they would just need to mass-produce a single coach body and the three face plates, and just slip each face into the slot on the front of the coach, rather than designing and assembling a whole coach for each face.

Maybe this could save them some money and make Duck's 3 Slip Coaches easier to mass-produce. I don't know if this is plausible or makes sense, but I wanted to put the idea out there and see.

With what was said on New Model Monday this week I want to lock in my prediction for what I think the item might be.


I think it's Harvey, he fits the criteria of being something that'd excite people from most eras and feels the most unexpected pull they could make. It could turn out to be anything really, but I have a weird gut feeling for him.

If it turns out there is more and there is also a rolling stock announcement alongside it, I could see it being the works unit coach. Fits pretty nicely alongside Harvey and has been a request for a long time. Multiple different liveries they can announce at once/or stagger too in theory. Thinking about it could also see this being the singular item in general and that's why they're being weird with the phrasing in some instances. I'm just unsure they'd tease it the way they are if it wasn't a Locomotive admittedly.

Announcements will be made on the 19th so time will tell, but this is what I'm personally expecting at this point

From every era of the TVS
Leaves Diesel 10 and Havery as the only ones if we speak technically .
I am so happy Nia is not happening for the 80th year .
The saying unexpected further proves that it will be one of these characters. I am certain it will .

Edward is probably happening in N scale in 2026 if they get on track with the class 08s and Henry .

For large it seems the future is kinda not the best . I am sure they'll do Sidney one day and black James but I can't imagine a new engine like Edward.
Maybe Henrietta if we ever get a new tool . But overall, those are my predictions and I predict that large scale probably won't have anything new until the right time.

For the every era of the TVS debate I wanna throw Norman and probably Dennis in there as well, It would appeal to Model era fans and CGI fans.

Norman is a decent shout actually. Cause they didn't say every, they said almost every era. Which is vague enough to apply to anyone if you really want to stretch it. But Norman is an interesting case. He'd be unexpected, and can be recolored into a model only. Plus niche basis appeal as well. He's not who I'm personally expecting but I could see it.

As we get closer to next weekend, I'm starting to think that the announcement may actually be Hiro along with some unique rolling stock (hopefully model era) or nonrail vehicle. Matt said it would  "appeal" to fans of most eras from the show, but not necessarily "appear". And Hiro would definitely be a surprise, given the current status of tariffs.

I could see Norman and Dennis as a possibility too, as DustyMarie53! mentioned. He reiterated that Norman is a unique basis for the market, much like Whiff or N Emily, which I fully agree with. Guess we'll find out in the coming days!

This will be my final prediction list before the NMRA announcements on Saturday.

Whiff:
I believe Whiff is a character with the best chances as he's the cheapest model to produce. For a character who appeared across the model, cgi, and aeg series, it would make sense.
Drawback
- Sounds too predictable

Harvey:
This character is the final classic series engine (who appeared in the cgi series) that doesn't have an HO model and can serve as a throwback for older fans.
Drawbacks
- Harvey's crane may not be compatible with the model railroading standards (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong)
- Costs alone wouldn't justify the final price tag

Hiro:
I think Hiro has a chance to shine given how he appeals to fans across different eras. If Bachmann chooses to announce Hiro, it would be the first JNR Class D51 to be made under their brand. I'd be keen to purchase Hiro as he's one of my personal favorites from the cgi series.
Drawbacks
- Final pricing of this model may not be attractive to casual fans, which may give KATO the upper hand
- This model hinges on the successful sales of Rebecca

Diesel 10:
As for Diesel 10, this one would be considered surprising as Doug from previous livestreams mentioned the possibility of Diesel 10 in the future. There is a chance that nostalgia may have a role for older fans.
Drawbacks
- Potential high costs to manufacture this model (when factoring in the economic uncertainties)
- Illegal modification being the claw on his roof could hinder his chances
- Diesel 10's most recent appearance happened over a decade ago (Not counting BWBA claw cameo)

Flying Scotsman:
Given the Flying Scotsman is the last remnant of the LNER class A3, I could see how Bachmann would honor its legacy.
Drawbacks
- For a model consisting of two tenders, it could be problematic for the packaging of this particular engine
- High costs along with tariffs may be viewed as dissuading

Norman/Dennis:
If I recall, Norman's model is a possibility due to the appeal from both the model and cgi series. Norman is a character I would consider as unexpected as a unique model.
Possible drawback
- Model may not be appealing due to lack of main character role of an episode (My personal opinion, I could be wrong)

Lastly, I think Matt carefully coined the word "appeal" as a hint which the character may not be on this list. Anything is possible between now and Saturday. If I mention anything outdated or wrong, please correct me.

Quote from: Armada Starscream on July 08, 2025, 02:47:17 AMI just had a thought on a potential design method Bachmann could use to make Duck's Slip Coaches faces.

https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Slip_Coaches_(T%26F)

Maybe they could design a single Slip Coach body, as all 3 Slip Coaches are mostly the same in the TV Series with only the faces being different. When they design the Slip Coach, they would make it so that the front of the coach has a special slot that can only be accessed when the model is disassembled. Bachmann could then design 3x interchangeable plates that they could slip in to that special slot when the model is assembled, with each plate having a different Slip Coach face. That way, when assembling potentially Slip Coach 1, Slip Coach 2, and Slip Coach 3, they would just need to mass-produce a single coach body and the three face plates, and just slip each face into the slot on the front of the coach, rather than designing and assembling a whole coach for each face.

Maybe this could save them some money and make Duck's 3 Slip Coaches easier to mass-produce. I don't know if this is plausible or makes sense, but I wanted to put the idea out there and see.

Given that Annie and Clarabel have the same concept w/ only their faces being different and their name plates (to the point that Clarabel herself looks completely off without her guard's compartment), the Slip Coaches would be possible to make since we also got Duck in the range, so I hope we can see them considered in the future... the only thing I'd imagine them having to do is reuse Spencer's Coach since that has those whatchamacallit connecting things for the passengers (the ones present on Gordon's Coaches/Red Composite Coaches) removed... AND the fact that they made Hannah in N scale, while different from HO scale, yeah I hope they can be the first CGI coaches to be made for the HO range...

Who is it gonna be .
I have a feeling it could be havery but what about
Arry and Bert . They have described this announcement in both plural and not plural terms. Non-plural terms it could just be talking about the big locomotive announcement, which is like the big thing. Considering the costs of carrots, it could very much well be these items, but I'm not entirely sure. However, given the current circumstances. Having to already designed the product products, just brought back into the range. Would be super easy . And considering terrifs and affordability . These are cheap already designed  with a CGI reference unlike salty . If they do then I'd imagine it would only be iron arry and iron Bert and no additional rolling stock .
If some how this is not the case I am sure havery will be done .
As for some rolling stock the cream tanker with the proper cream color would be nice .
The well wagon as well could fit right into the range with havery and the well wagon being a makeshift breakdown train you got the crane and you got something to carry the engine on .
And Gordon's special express coaches which have been suggested ever since Bachmann released Toby's museum coaches.

Trevor would be nice to see since he an Awdry character and it is the 80th however I don't see it happening .

Emily with the #12 would be nice but again I don't picture it happening . Maybe in the next few years we get a "steam team " themed NMRA announcement, where we see DCC James ,Emily with 12 , and Nia all announced at once

DCC James is one of a few characters they could do in DCC as he along with Edward Henry Gordon Toby  are the only character that have sounds on the g scale sound thing and have uk release . I don't see it happening until DCC Thomas and Percy are out .

The cattle vans or utility vans are some other  that I don't know if I would predict them but I could it happening .

Quote from: Awesometrain77 on July 15, 2025, 10:17:58 PMArry and Bert . They have described this announcement in both plural and not plural terms. Non-plural terms it could just be talking about the big locomotive announcement, which is like the big thing. Considering the costs of carrots, it could very much well be these items, but I'm not entirely sure. However, given the current circumstances. Having to already designed the product products, just brought back into the range. Would be super easy . And considering terrifs and affordability . These are cheap already designed  with a CGI reference unlike salty . If they do then I'd imagine it would only be iron arry and iron Bert and no additional rolling stock .

I have my doubts they would be hyping up re-releases.

Am I the only person that wants Bachmann to do Nia for HO scale?

no, i would like her as HO as well but i hope i get duncan and classic characters first.

Okay here it is this is my final  predictions for the NMRA 2025

•Havery the crane engine


•Well wagon



•Cream tanker



•Brakevan 

We are getting closer to finding out who is gonna be announced. Lock your bets in everyone, i'm still gonna say Norman/Dennis.

Here is a list of my top freight list to be released on Bachmann HO scale I had to do a lot of searching to find all the numbers and names but I am pretty sure I have written them down on a piece of paper here is the list The breakdown train if you like them please let me know thanks
3 plank wagons
12-ton vent wagons
8-ton goods vans
Single ventilated vans
12-ton vent vans
Salt vans
Season 1 box vans
Season 1 box vans SI3D color
The silly vans
China clay wagons type 1
Season 2 troublesome trucks van faces
The silly break van
Troublesome vans 8-ton goods
8 Ton goods vans
Four-wheel lumber flatbed wagons
Old fish vans
Old van
Single step flatbed wagons
Sodor CCT utility vans
Sodor 8 open plank wagon
The small China clay truck
The coloured tankers