Quote from: Chaz on March 07, 2018, 12:13:35 AM
Might just have to do a post with my thoughts on Bachmann making Stepney... Not right now but definetely in the near future.  Probably will look into it sometime this month though.

In the meantime I actually want to hear more thoughts from others on Stepney, I would really like to hear what others have to say about him.

Stepney would probably be an amazing model, even better if Bachmann went the extra mile and made him an accurate A1X Terrier, we are sadly missing a really good 00 terrier on the model railway market these days so I can see many modellers doing what they did with skarloey and rheneas and making a little custom magic. But it's mostly the nostalgic side of me that wants a Bachmann Stepney because he has always been a favorite character of mine.

I have a 4x8 space in which I'd like to have either a completely narrow gauge layout or a dual-gauge with predominantely narrow gauge... anyone know where I could find layout ideas? Google isn't giving me very many good results. Thanks!

Haha, is this a joke? It's just the CGI model!

grandpuff, you continue to inspire me with your work. So much so, actually, that I'm planning my own small desktop narrow gauge layout. With that being said, any chance you could details your methods for painting the Shapeways coaches and installing couplings/wheels and what brand of these two items you use? They look so good and I'd love to give it a try myself!

I agree with your feedback wholly, Plow Bender. I didn't want to come across as petty or whiny, but I guess I kind of did. Hopefully the message I was trying to convey is still present though.

On another note, Bachmann Paxton's (final?) product image has been uploaded to Bachmann's Instagram page. Thoughts?

Wow. "For the time being"? What sort of sense does that make? LS collectors have had enough trouble with new models already and then Bachmann goes and pulls a move like this? Crazy how the Thomas range as a whole is being treated atm. I don't claim to know everything about what goes on behind-the-scenes with Mattel, production delays, etc. but I do think it's ridiculous that there is not more communication between buyer and seller.

On that note: (in no way is this a knock against you Chaz) why on Earth did Bachmann only reveal this info through a private email? Are they thinking that we somehow won't notice or that it doesn't deserve to be publicly addressed? Jesse even created a whole separate thread which a Bachmann employee could've easily responded to. Just seems to me like something is going on that the GP doesn't know about, and Bachmann certainly isn't sharing. Hopefully this isn't coming across as rude, just words from a frustrated customer.

Quote from: TrainFan97 on February 16, 2018, 04:32:10 PM
I'm disappointed that we're still not getting Daisy, but at least a face change for Diesel is better than NO engine for HO Scale.

I'm willing to bet that anyone who has any knowledge of the Thomas range will simply buy the face plate off of Bachmann's parts department. No one is stupid enough to pay for a whole new engine unless they need a new Diesel anyway. I'm shocked that Bachmann wouldn't have considered this factor. I can see a move like this for Trackmaster where new characters are made all the time, but Bachmann? Never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted they would go this route.

Quote from: InsideTrack on February 16, 2018, 04:15:26 PM
Grumpy Diesel is Grumpy Diesel, not Daisy.

Probably a stupid question, but this is the current character, not a new one. Correct?


I really don't know what to think. These are definintly the strangest announcements we've ever had, but it wil be interesting to see how they unfold. Really upset that we're not getting another NG engine. Excited to see Gordon's coaches return.

Also, @InsideTrack, no news on Paxton or Rusty I'm assuming?

Anyone know what the holdup is?

Any last minute predictions? I'm not personally having any high hopes...

Grand puff, you inspire me more and more everyday. Please never stop what you're doing! You are truly talented.

Chaz, I totally agree on the Bachmann Oliver front. I waited three years for him to be announced, another two to get the model, and when he finally got to me I found that after a few months I was bored and unhappy with him and he hadn't been worth any of the hassle. There's an important lesson in there somewhere...

Here are my wishes and my predictions.

Wishlist:

HO Scale
58818 Stanley (with moving eyes)
77014 Flatbed with Oil Drums
77015 Gordon's Express Coach
77016 Gordon's Brake Coach
Thomas & Friends™ Resin Buildings: Ffarquhar Station (Item No. 35909), Dieselworks Shed (Item No. 35910), Neptune Refreshments (Item No. 35911)

Narrow Gauge
58604 Peter Sam
77304 Narrow Gauge Blue Coach
77305 Narrow Gauge Red Coach
77306 Narrow Gauge Red Brake Van
77307 Narrow Gauge Blue Brake Van

Large Scale
91408 Edward (with moving eyes)
98022 Red Coach
98023 Red Brake Coach


In actuality:

HO Scale
58818 Sidney (with moving eyes)
77014 Box Van- Explosives
77015 Spiteful Brakevan
(No Thomas & Friends™ Resin Buildings Announcements)

Narrow Gauge
58604 Duncan
77304 Narrow Gauge Conflat (with Wire Coil Load #102)
77305 Narrow Gauge Conflat (with Tools Load #102)

Large Scale
91408 Paxton (with moving eyes)
98022 Red Coach
98023 Red Brake Coach

In conclusion, I'm not expecting very much from Bachmann this year. Sad, but true.

It's not that people don't want to answer, it's that they can't. We only know what Bachmann tells us and posting it on the forum rarely means you'll get insider info. Best to just wait for the February announcements.

They are charging almost identical prices for three weathered slate trucks in the UK vs. one un-weathered truck here in the US. Insane!