Large Scale Thomas

[thomasj219]

Anyone have a spare 6 Thousand??

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254725016554

[jbray]

Bachmann,
With your switch to the plug and play model for Large scale, why aren't the new models, Diesel and Paxton, set up for this? If you're going to discontinue to the DCC Thomas line, at least don't hobble new releases by keeping them stuck in DC only (without warranty-voiding after market customization). The choose you own power style is a good company choice given the ways large scale hobbyists are diverging on the topic but it should be applied across the large scale line as much as possible.

[Caver Keith]

Does anyone know what has happened to Diesel and Paxton?
They seem to have been removed from the motive power section of the Bachmann website.

[Metal]

This might be a wildcard like Winston. But I was thinking, one character that I believe would work well in LS rather than HO/OO scale.

Stephen



While I don't think "Stephen the Rocket" would have that wide-appeal as a Thomas charater for the HO/OO market in contrast to his real life counterpart, much like Flying Scotsman. Bachmann would have a better advantage in their LS Range for Stephen the character. Seeing how the LS market in general aims for more quirky designs for family projects, children model rail events, etc. He would also serve as a very easy kitbash for LS modellers that want to convert into the real thing.


Hornby's OO Rocket


Given that Stephenson's Rocket is one of the most popular locomotives in the general world of modelling. When Hornby brought back their OO/HO Stephenson's Rocket after a couple decades, it quickly sold out on pre-order, and they still release their model due to it's demand.

I think Stephen is one of those characters Bachmann should consider for their Large Scale Range.



What do you think about a Large Scale Stephen?

[jbray]

This might be a wildcard like Winston. But I was thinking, one character that I believe would work well in LS rather than HO/OO scale.

Stephen

What do you think about a Large Scale Stephen?

I think that Stephen is unlikely because Bachmann shot themselves in the foot with the 1:22.5 scale for the range. The models are Gauge II (III for you Brits) but the wheel base is Gauge I. It makes the line top heavy but also makes models like Stephen an issue because his wheels are outside of his frame meaning they would have to make him specifically 1:32 scale which would make him more out of place in the line. If they hadn’t gone the 1:22.5 route I could see the possibility. That said:

Given that Stephenson's Rocket is one of the most popular locomotives in the general world of modelling. When Hornby brought back their OO/HO Stephenson's Rocket after a couple decades, it quickly sold out on pre-order, and they still release their model due to it's demand.

I think this ignores a reality of the finances in that the line has to be more global than that. The market is more than just the UK and plenty of modelers in the North American market don’t know or don’t care enough about Stephenson’s Rocket. The average modeler, in all scales, is bound to be working with a local, regional, or national line in mind. I would argue that from millennials on North Americans really only have exposure to the prototypes from Great Britain thanks to Thomas (and then Harry Potter). We can’t even get Hornby here without importing from a UK local retailer because the market is too niche. I think it’s true to say that the large scale line is propped up by the UK market and without it the line would be gone, but it’s equally true to say that the line is dependent on continued US sales in which this may be a product that only has value amongst the wealthiest of modelers buying for their children and not for the larger NA LS market. Which brings me to:

Seeing how the LS market in general aims for more quirky designs for family projects, children model rail events, etc. He would also serve as a very easy kitbash for LS modellers that want to convert into the real thing.

You’re not the first person to peddle this idea but I don’t understand it and I feel like maybe I’m missing something by being stateside but from my perspective the LS line isn’t quirky at all. Is it because of the exploding boxcar? That’s a remix of a very popular LGB item from their toy train line in the late 90s and Bachmann would have been stupid not to make an equivalent for their Thomas line, especially while LGB and then Marklin in ownership of LGB were facing financial troubles and were limiting their product lines to threadbare status. I know it’s an unpopular reality here, but the Thomas lines are marketed for children as a quasi-toy line. That’s a fact. They’re products from a children’s show and pretending that isn’t true just because there’s an active fan base of young (and older) adults who grew up with the books or shows doesn’t make it less true. The exploding boxcar is an ape of LGB’s popular kids line, the use of late model era freight specific box and tanker cars is an appeal to kids, and if Winston is part of that “quirkiness”, then it should be stated that he was probably made just because he’s both cheaper to make than a real locomotive and probably would be more expensive (or at least more relatively expensive) to make in smaller scales. He’s a compromise product at best to diversify the line at the lowest cost.

Am I missing some other piece of the line that makes it weird or quirky? I’m asking because I keep seeing it here and it seems out of place.

[JLK2707]

How is that? Can you please just explain it to me?

[jbray]

How is that? Can you please just explain it to me?

If you're talking about my response, I'd be happy to, but may you be more specific to which part you'd like me to explain?

[Falcon the 2nd]

I unfortunately cannot link the post from either website, but Bachmann has confirmed on their official Facebook and Instagram that the Red Coaches have received their first production samples in Large Scale and that they will be shown off at some point soon.

[Large Scale Champion]

We at Ruby's Railway are very excited about the forthcoming Red Coaches... we can't wait for what could come next now this momentous occasion has arrived... we are initially going to purchase 3 brakes and 3 comps to give James a 4 coach train and Percy a 2.

Duck and Edward remain top of our wishlist and Henrietta and Toad for rolling stock.

[TrainMan2001]

Hey guys, whilst looking for some GER Coach pictures, I came across this:
https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/scratch-building-henrietta-ttte-ger-wisbech-and-upwell-tramway-4-wheel-coach.317029/
The guy who made Henrietta did a great job, and I wanted to share it with you guys for some inspiration in case Henrietta doesn't get produced by Bachmann.

[Large Scale Champion]

This is Epic!

Hey guys, whilst looking for some GER Coach pictures, I came across this:
https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/scratch-building-henrietta-ttte-ger-wisbech-and-upwell-tramway-4-wheel-coach.317029/
The guy who made Henrietta did a great job, and I wanted to share it with you guys for some inspiration in case Henrietta doesn't get produced by Bachmann.

A Great job done but please Bachmann make Henrietta.... (and Edward, Duck, Oliver and Toad! lol)

[TrainCollector]

Okay my question is this. Is the Bachmann G scale Thomas range compatible with the actual Gauge 1 models used in the television series? I know the track is the same but I’m not entirely sure if the G scale Bachmann models would be in scale with the Gauge 1 models. I’m thinking but please correct me if I’m wrong, that the Bachmann G scale models are the exact size and completely up to scale with the Gauge 3 models of Thomas and James used from season 9 until the end of the model era. I’m talking about the Gauge 3 models used during the episodes that featured the Narrow Gauge engines. I’m just extremely curious about this.

Another thing I wanted to add is that I have recently purchased the G scale Paxton. The motor is so incredibly quiet that all you hear are the wheels as if you’re pushing him along the track. I’ve never had a model so incredibly flawless in proportion, size and overall appearance. I can’t wait to get my hands on Diesel. He’s currently on back order with my train shop in Hamburg, New York. Hope you all have yours added to your collection!

[Large Scale Champion]

Can't wait for the Red Coaches but i have to say the 2022 offerings were just recolours... that said we are thrilled they are still producing large scale. Now we long for 2023!

[Ronniethe14xxx]

Circling back to the Stephen convo. While I agree there are quite a few hinderances in the way of him being made, the North American audience is not a problem. Tons of toys get made for it and i see it's model and similar old timey models at train shows all the time. I think in terms of basis he is the best choice for recognizability. With the exceptions of American engines, Spencer (which can't happen anyway, same with Flying Scotsman who falls into the same category), and Duck.

Still he most likely won't ever be made due to the wheels and pistons. 

[Chaz]

So has anyone picked up the large scale red coaches?

Only reason why I ask is I have not seen a single fan post or a YouTube video anywhere and they have been out for a while now.