The Everything Thomas Topic

[Cheeky_ULP]

Personally, I much prefer the regular updates and more active social media involvement Bachmann has leaned into the last few years over the annual, sometimes bi-annual update on the range that we used to get from the New York Toy Fair for most of the Bachmann Thomas community's existence. Bachmann has also been much more transparent in recent years about the ifs and whys about why certain products can or can't be made, which I respect them for. Social media has changed drastically in the last decade or so, and to me this kind of communication and engaging with customers is a big key towards Bachmann evolving with the times.

[JLK2707]

Great idea.

[TrainFan97]

Bachmann should hopefully have Sir Handel's painted sample ready in time for the January Trainworld stream.

I just hope it won't be too much longer before we see unpainted samples of N Scale Diesel/Paxton and Express Coaches, as well as the Narrow Gauge Gondola. A lot of products recently arrived in stock, so already much of the backlog has been cleared. At least we know the reason Salty is taking so long is because his motor is too noisy, but Bachmann is hoping to get him out there sometime in 2025.

[Coaltronn]

would love to see some more items like cars such as the green cars on skarloey railway from model series 4. its essentially the blue topham hat but green. also any structures that are notable and intricate like the signals that are white and black that are a wooden post with a flag that raises or lowers. any boats. more figures too.

[TrainFan97]

I got Peter Sam for Christmas, but after running full speed briefly then stopping suddenly, the flimsy side rods on one side got jammed into each other, then fell apart. I had to contact Trainworld for an exchange.

I really hope that's not an inherent flaw with Peter Sam. I never had this happen to a model before, where the side rods get stuck from being flimsy.

[Coaltronn]

I've recently ran peter Sam on a Christmas layout and he ran well. likely just a lemon

[TrainFan97]

Fortunately, I got to ship the damaged model back, and I'm getting a replacement soon. That has to be a weird anomaly, where the side rods get jammed into each other, preventing movement. That shouldn't happen again.

I ran full speed briefly, then stopped suddenly, then Peter Sam wouldn't move again, then I got a closer look and saw the jammed side rods. I tried to free them, only to fall apart.

[TrainFan97]

Forgive this double post, but the creator of the TV Series, Britt Allcroft, has passed away.

[Zorran202]

Forgive this double post, but the creator of the TV Series, Britt Allcroft, has passed away.

It's a shame another one passed on... That was something unexpected to be honest... Well, at least she's reunited with Wilbert A., David M., George C., and Michael A. in a magical land far away... Thank you Britt for making our childhoods very memorable indeed...! You will be missed...

[TrainFan97]

There would be no TV Series if it wasn't for Britt Allcroft. She literally made our childhoods with classic series Thomas. We wouldn't even have a Bachmann Thomas range if it wasn't for the show. Britt Allcroft's passing was the biggest loss for the community since Michael Angelis died in 2020, and before that, we lost both George Carlin and David Mitton in 2008. Rev. Awdry himself died months before I was born. It's only a matter of time before we lose Ringo Starr, the original narrator, and Christopher Awdry, Rev. Awdry's son who continued the Railway Series until 2011.

Some are asking Bachmann on their Facebook page to make Lady in honor of Britt Allcroft, but I doubt it will ever happen. She hadn't owned the rights to the show since Magic Railroad flopped, and the show was then bought out by HiT Entertainment, which eventually got bought out by Mattel in 2012. Britt probably wouldn't have lost the rights to the show if it wasn't for that movie, which ultimately derailed the franchise in the end.

[JLK2707]

RIP Britt!

[TrainFan97]

Although the TV Series lost its creator, giving a rather tragic start of the year, but aside from that, in more positive news, there's a Thomas Tuesday tonight. Looks like Sir Handel's painted sample is finally ready to be shown. Hope we get updates on previously announced products that still haven't had samples shown, like the HO Scale Open Carriage, Narrow Gauge Gondolas and Gunpowder Wagons, as well as N Scale Diesel, Paxton, and the Express Coaches.

Edit after seeing the stream:
The big reveal was indeed Sir Handel's painted sample. After like three years, we finally see Sir Handel fully painted. No estimated availability yet, but he should arrive in stock sometime this year. It may be several more months before we see Sir Handel in the package. We were also shown the DCC Sound-Fitted Thomas and Percy models, which had been on the backburner for several years. It's too bad they weren't going to be retools, which Percy especially needs, as he's one of the worst models in HO Scale. After several years since like 2020, the DCC Sound-Fitted Thomas and Percy should finally be coming this year. We were unfortunately not given any updates on the products I mentioned above, but Doug should go over those products once he discusses the 2025 catalog announcements in the February stream. The catalog itself should be up by the end of the month.

[Angelob6660]

I looked at current catalog and no Tar Wagon. Was it deleted or something. I was looking forward to getting at least 3 of them.

[Kemptown Branch]

I looked at current catalog and no Tar Wagon. Was it deleted or something. I was looking forward to getting at least 3 of them.

The new version of the Tar Tanker was announced in August, so it was after the catalog came out. It should be in the 2025 catalog when that's released.

[MrNormalDraws]

I looked at current catalog and no Tar Wagon. Was it deleted or something. I was looking forward to getting at least 3 of them.

I was confused as I thought the 2025 catalog was out, but it's not. We'll wait until it's released.