Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 25, 2015, 03:10:02 AM

Quote from: TrainMan2001 on November 20, 2015, 09:10:56 AM

Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 20, 2015, 03:20:00 AM
What sort of damage has been done to your Thomas and James Locomotives, if you do not mind me asking?

Well, this is my second Thomas because my old one stopped working. This one also did the same thing, but over a longer period of time. James got one of his pick- ups (the things that touh the wheels) damaged after an accident of putting in the spring to his little wheel on the front. The pick-up, which I thought had been put in correctly, got scrunched up in the plate that holds the wheels in. When I noticed and pulled the plate off, the pick-up was in terrible shape. When I tried to straighten it out, it came out.

There seems to be a lot of problems with the Locomotives motors in the Bachmann Thomas & Friends range. I certainly hope I don't have to keep replacing my Mavis, Salty, Donald and Douglas in the future!

I'd say no more than any other range, but as this forum as very active, disproportionate to our size in the larger model railway community and is run straight from BACHMANN's easy to navigate main website, it is likely that a lot of people come here with model problems, as opposed to say...other Thomas forums, as this one is officially BACHMANN's and the moderators are active and usually very helpful, also a lot of fans have limited experience sending models back to BACHMANN, so they often need advice the first time around, other ranges tend to have more mature audiences who are more experienced in the field of sending things back.

So whilst it may seem like a disproportionate amount of people have issues with motors, I just think it is an illusion of disproportionately large traffic for said issues, as most of them are likely discussed here, and when things go wrong this really is the #1 place to come after all.

Besides, if BACHMANN's Thomas models really were that unreliable, I imagine the range would be nowhere near as popular as it is now, I myself have owned BACHMANN models of Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, Percy, Spencer, Salty, and Diesel. I only had issues with Thomas after some overly extended running at a club's exhibition, and when attempting to open the model up there were some minor motor issues, but nothing to severe, it did eventually stop working, but it served me well, I think I still have a few of it's parts around somewhere...Edward I also had a minor problem with the motor shortly after buying, but I sent him back to BACHMANN with help from a friend at the model railway club and I only ended up paying about 20 Australian dollars for the repair, which was pretty good service I thought, they even sent back Edward with a new motor, wheels and chassis block, even though the original wheels and chassis block were in perfect condition. They also sent back the original chassis block, wheels and motor as well, which now gives me a spare chassis block and wheels in perfect working order (this was back in 2012, I think).
I'd say BACHMANN's customer service is excellent on the odd-chance things do go wrong.

I honestly think BACHMANN models may seem more unreliable than they truly are if one reads over a forum like this, the models are fantastic 99% of the time, just like most other companies. My experience with BACHMANN models has not been a negative one, and I look forward to collecting some more of their engines in future.

~Alex

That's rather interesting Chaz. Which of the Tomix stock are you missing then? And if BACHMANN released Standard Gauge stock in N Gauge would you collect them, do you think?

~Alex

Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 11, 2015, 03:56:48 PM

Quote from: Chaz on November 11, 2015, 12:55:47 AM

Quote from: AJW98Productions on November 10, 2015, 11:09:13 PM
I think it's a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure...did the Tomix Thomas engines have metal bodies? Because from memory they can haul impressive sized trains (seen them in action on YouTube), and I think they have plastic bodies but I'm not entirely sure...

~Alex

All four of the Tomix engines have plastic bodies.  

Have you got all of the Tomix Thomas & Friends Locomotives then, Chaz?

I imagine so, I guess a plus for fans that already have the Tomix Thomas Engines would be that if BACHMANN made their own N Gauge range, they could be used side-by-side, I imagine the scaling would be close, and as always for fans that already have the existing Tomix Thomas Engines, comparisons could be made between the 2 ranges, I think it would be interesting, and I think Tomix stock next to an N gauge BACHMANN stock would look very nice, and fans who already have Tomix stock could jump on the bandwagon quickly, as they would have stock already, so if BACHMANN say, only released TT#1 and TT#2 to start off with, said collectors of former Tomix stock would have wagons to add to their trains early on etc.

Sorry if my thoughts seem a bit jumbled but I hope that train of thought can be easily followed

~Alex

Quote from: TrainFan97 on November 10, 2015, 09:04:12 PM
For N scale, should the engines get metal bodies for added weight?

I think it's a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure...did the Tomix Thomas engines have metal bodies? Because from memory they can haul impressive sized trains (seen them in action on YouTube), and I think they have plastic bodies but I'm not entirely sure...

~Alex

Jacob, Z gauge has a track width of about 3 millimetres, N gauge has a track width of 9 milimetres, to put it rather bluntly, N gauge track is 6 milimetres larger than Z gauge.
~Alex

Quote from: TrainFan97 on November 10, 2015, 01:34:32 AM
If Bachmann does get the rights to produce N scale, which I hope won't be too far into the future, hopefully they would start off with three engines like HO scale, being Thomas, Percy, and James. The first rolling stock can be Annie and Clarabel, and Troublesome Trucks #1 and #2.

I'd suggest they start off with Thomas and Percy as the first 2 engines (like they did in Large Scale), with Troublesome Trucks #1 and #2 in the first year, Annie and Clarabel and also a brakevan, with James and some other passenger or possibly even goods stock following in the year after. But I do think you have a good suggestion
~Alex

Tomix's range is not only inactive, for the time being at least anyway, it appears to have been retired completely - if not discontinued for at least a good chunk of the foreseeable future.
And Z guage is even smaller than N gauge, to give you some context there Jacob, I believe the track width of Z gauge is around 3mm, and the track gauge of N scale to be around 9mm, so that's a bit of context as to how small they are. Whilst I'd be in favour of an arlesdale Z gauge range, I don't see it happening for a while yet, at least until those characters have much more appearances in the TVS and BACHMANN's lineup of the Narrow Gauge engines is much further underway, as for O gauge I believe there is potential there to produce Standard Gauge Thomas models, but I think the issue of Lionel would probably need to be subdued first, Honestly, I can imagine though a way to get around that would be to make the Narrow Gauge engines in G gauge, essentially G gauge models but they'd run on O scale track, similar to what BACHMANN are currently doing with their HO scale Skarloey, it's an HO scale engine that runs on N gauge track, and on the suggestion about the Arlesdale engines, with a combination like this, G gauge Arlesdale engines would roughly be about HO scale size methinks, perhaps that could be made into a range of it's own as well. I know I'm getting way too far ahead of myself, but these are just some wild theories. Ultimately though if BACHMANN is to have a new scale of Standard Gauge engines, I'd choose N gauge as perhaps their best starting point

And on an unrelated note, don't be nervous about this thread, Trainfan97. I think it was an excellent idea given all the recent discussion of this topic

~Alex

Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 08, 2015, 06:32:16 AM
Why wouldn't HiT Enetertainment allow Bachmann to produce RWS Engines? I could see Mighty Mac getting released, but I expect it would be complicated, so it would be expensive. Anyway, before we see Mighty Mac, Victor, Luke and Millie get released, we really need the classic Engines in production from Bachmann first, which is Rheneas, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Rusty and Duncan.

A few years ago BACHMANN announced 2 trucks that had been RWS exclusives and from what I've heard they couldn't get approval from HiT to manufacture them, although I could be wrong, I think RWS models also have a narrower (no pun intended) target audience to more easily appeal to, as the TVS is more relevant to the younger audience, which seems to be deprived of the RWS, which is a shame really, there are lot's of amazing RWS stories that haven't made it to screens or into the hearts and minds of children they were intended for after all...

Quote from: Jacob Wilson on October 30, 2015, 06:38:43 PM
Then, when all or most of them have been released in my other post on this Discussion, these should be thought about:

Bachmann Thomas & Friends Narrow Gauge Locomotives:
Narrow Gauge Ivo Hugh
Narrow Gauge Duke
Narrow Gauge Bertram
Narrow Gauge Mighty Mac
Narrow Gauge Proteus
Narrow Gauge Luke

I don't think HiT actually allows BACHMANN to release RWS exclusive Engines or stock, either that or they just won't by their own choice, so I don't really see Ivo Hugh happening, Proteus and Bertram I think would need more appearances to create enough demand for them to be in the range, so I'd strike those 2 out...for now, unless they return for a few episodes in a new season, Mighty Mac is a similar case but not as bad. Duke has the demand of the older fans but I believe he too would need to make a grand return before BACHMANN would produce him, oddly enough out of all those engines I think Luke has the highest chance, being recently introduced but seen enough and liked by old fans and new, but again, he will need time I think. But after they produce the other engines I suppose plenty of time could've passed, so who knows really?
Just some thoughts
~Alex

That's an interesting point, Nykrivas. Anyone think they would reuse the Wickham Trolley chassis for Winston entirely, or reuse it with slight modification, or not at all? Also am I the only one who can't help but think of former British PM Churchill with a name like Winston?
~Alex

Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 01, 2015, 10:22:24 AM
^^ Above 2 Replies - @Reply #10 By Titanic5972 and ^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #11 By AJW98Productions: To me, the styling of both the Red Coaches are different. I am pretty sure on the Old  Coaches pulled by Edward have some sort of bar travelling down the side on the chassis in front of the wheels. If Bachmann to release the Old Coaches (Let's hope they do!), they would need to use the basis of a different coach.

Correct (based on a quick google images search), tried to upload a picture of them but the file is much too large, but you are correct
~Alex

Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 01, 2015, 06:23:09 AM
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #7 By JLK2707: How though? Gordon does not like pulling trucks.

To avoid you having to manually type that out, there is a quote button on the forum for your convenience to save you the trouble, I don't mean to sound rude, just trying to be helpful.
Your friendly neighbourhood,
~Alex

Quote from: Titanic5972 on November 01, 2015, 08:42:51 AM
Could these be used to represent the old green coaches Edward had in the first few seasons?

Only the composite coach could I believe, but I could be wrong...

Quote from: Rickenbacker 325 on October 07, 2015, 12:39:41 AM
Hello, I have seen some youtube video's with the bachmann engines, though these engines have different faces. One guy on youtube is named Calebtrain and has done this with most of his engines. By the looks of thomas's face, its his wooden railway face. Is there a way I could buy those separately without having to buy the full train? I wouldn't mind taking out the moving eyes for this. Thanks in advance!!

I believe he has an account on this forum too (although I don't know quite how active it is), I would recommend sending him a private message to enquire about this, I'm sure he would very gladly tell you just how he did it.
But from memory he used to make a lot of faces for his engines out of clay, maybe that might be a good starting point.
Best of luck in your endeavour
~Alex

Quote from: tomtomica2 on September 02, 2015, 09:40:57 AM
Hi y'all,
I recently got the urge to do some modelling so I thought I'd come back here to ask for some suggestions & tips.

Basically, I want to Repaint the Bachmann Thomas to his LBSC livery.
Is there any specific tips any of you could give me to remove the decals (Stripes, Numbers & Such) after that paint it? Should I use primer before painting it? Cheers!

I would just like to comment that the LBSC livery seen in "The Adventure Begins", is not an actual LBSC livery, but an SR livery (and one the E2's never carried at that), with LBSC lettering (and possibly number?) but it isn't even the SR livery his prototype held...so by LBSC do you mean his actual LBSC livery, or the one from the movie?
For further reading to those who are interested:
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16044
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/85585-lbscsouthern-e2-livery/

And may I just say; Best of luck in your endeavor very rarely do I see projects like this come about so it's quite unique in a way, kudos to you

~Alex