Yeah once they do a platform they open up so much more possibilities with what they could do and what us modellers could make.
Toby's shed and the barn are both great ideas too.
Another possibility would be to introduce a small wooden platform like this. https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/wooden-platforms-%28x2%29/42-0010
Bachmann scenecraft used to make this in OO along with the ramps so it wouldn't be hard to obtain the tooling for it. Then you could have a little hault to put Farmer McColl or Trotter on with their sheep or pigs, ready to be taken to market.
In fact with Toby's shed, the barn, a little wooden platform and the ability to get the corrugated hut that was in the range you'd have a pretty decent farm set up.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on November 14, 2024, 07:37:00 AM[

Quote from: Mulfred100 on November 14, 2024, 03:15:34 AMI'm sorry but it sounds like your friend isn't asking the right questions.  It too me sounds like they asked "are you making Henry because you have Gordon's Chassis?" And not "will Henry share the same Chassis as Gordon?" Or "will Henry reuse Gordon's Chassis?" I mean what exactly was the question they asked? Because it does sound to me based on what you wrote that was "are you making Henry because you have Gordon's Chassis?"

However based on the CGI Orthos, the history of the model series and how Bachmann made the HO there's 0 reasons why Bachmann won't reuse it again for N Scale for not only a cost effective production but also keeping consistent with the show. Why spend extra money on producing a new chassis tooling when you already have the perfect one in your arsenal?

Arguing about it just sows seeds of doubt and isn't helpful.

Exact question asked was "Will Henry reuse Gordon's chassis?" followed up by "Was he chosen because it would be easier to reuse the chassis" for clarification.

Answer given: We chose Henry because he was a popular character, no design work has been looked into yet (to his knowledge). Whether we will reuse the chassis or not will come down to looking at the cgi references to see if they can be. If Gordon's chassis are deemed not accurate enough, they will just make a new one.

Given Toad is a new mold in N scale even though he could have been reused from the graham farish tooling I'm not particularly sure where cheapness and ease falls for N scale. Since his exact reasons outlined were the existing tooling wasn't accurate enough. Don't think we'll have an answer until reveal. Personally, betting on chassis reuse though, looking at the CGI ortho sheets they're the exact same after all.

Didn't particularly want this to become an argument. Was just responding to person saying "it will definitely be recycled" and say we shouldn't use that kind of hard statement when we don't know for sure. Not trying to cause an argument or doubt, just trying to keep this place as informative as possible with the info we do have. 

So again you've no proof that it won't happen, so stop putting doubt into peoples minds based on someone else asking someone else a question.

What possible reason would Bachmann have for not reusing the chassis? It'll be more expensive to produce, take more time to get the product on the market so meaning a longer return on the items production. They are the exact same throughout the entire history of the show and history of Bachmann making these engines. Seriously just think about it. There's 0 reason for Bachmann to differ from what they have done in the past and it's not like Henry suddenly became a 4-4-0 or something in the CGI era

Yes but again which we have had this exact conversation before Toad is a brakevan and cheaper and easier too tool then a big tender engine.  they can afford to be less focused on costs when it comes to something that costs $25.99 to buy.

There's no reason why Bachmann wouldn't recycle Gordon's Chassis.

And no one wants it to be an argument lol but consider the facts and read how sometimes if you say something out loud it plants the doubt in people's minds when there doesn't need to be any

If you want clarification ask in the stream or something, but honestly this feels like we are arguing over something that's obvious, like just as obvious as will Henry have a number 3 and be painted green.

Lastly look at what was said earlier in the year. 2024 was a catch up year, and everything new that was announced in NMRA 2024 has all used existing tooling, Sidney and Mainland uses Diesels, the Tar tanker uses the tanker tooling, Flatbed with oil drums uses the old paint pot tooling with the Flatbed tooling used in that and the logging company Flatbed. China clay wagon uses the open wagon tooling, Hannah uses Henrietta's tooling. There's only the brake-van and Henry's body and tender that's really new tooling which lines up with a company saying "we are having a catchup year"

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on November 13, 2024, 10:43:44 PMAgain, never said they wouldn't. The rep that talked with Streak Smeargle said that the chassis sharing did not factor into the announcement of Henry at all, just his popularity. Any potential design reuse or thought would come later when they looked at his cgi design. All I was trying to say is we shouldn't assume it will be reused until we see a sample or get official confirmation, which is what the user above did saying  "considering he's recycling Gordon's chassis without the trailing wheels" which has not been stated. Can't use the HO models as reference either because they're not CGI based. Could be different here for that reason. Personally, I suspect they'll still be reused anyway cause they're the same even in CGI, but let's not assume until any confirmation is given.

I'm sorry but it sounds like your friend isn't asking the right questions.  It too me sounds like they asked "are you making Henry because you have Gordon's Chassis?" And not "will Henry share the same Chassis as Gordon?" Or "will Henry reuse Gordon's Chassis?" I mean what exactly was the question they asked? Because it does sound to me based on what you wrote that was "are you making Henry because you have Gordon's Chassis?"

However based on the CGI Orthos, the history of the model series and how Bachmann made the HO there's 0 reasons why Bachmann won't reuse it again for N Scale for not only a cost effective production but also keeping consistent with the show. Why spend extra money on producing a new chassis tooling when you already have the perfect one in your arsenal?

Arguing about it just sows seeds of doubt and isn't helpful.

Upon watching @Terencethetractor525 (Christian's) stream he brought up some great points regarding the resin buildings and it actually gave me an idea oh how in the future Bachmann could potentially save themselves money while producing the buildings. This mostly involves the stations. If Bachmann made a generic platform pack and sold it separately then Bachmann would benefit quite a bit I think. Similar to how Bachmann Scenecraft and Skaledale do their platforms and was previously done by Hornby in there Thomas line to a degree.
In having a platform pack that's universal this gives Bachmann the free reign to produce different buildings into the range and not having as high a price point for the individual station with platform as they just need to make the building itself. Plus this gives customers the chance also have a platform consistency for their entire layout for either adapting their own buildings or for future releases in the range.
For example if Bachmann made a platform say between 50-55cm long which is split into two sections and sold it separately. Then they did a station building say Ffarquhar. Having the platform separately makes it easier to make and cheaper to buy. Then the next year they could do Wellsworth or Dryaw or what because they already have that universal platform on the market so whatever they made station building wise there's that platform ready. Plus it'll have an added benefit of people not only buying multiple units of the same product but it'll give modellers that ability to model however they want. If you want a two platform station you, if you want a bay platform you can, if you want to make a model series Ffarquhar you can, of you prefer the CGI version you can. Honestly having that platform sold separately allows the modeller to go wild with their layout and gives them that flexibility. The only drawback I had with Maithwaite was there wasn't a matching platform I could easily use to create the season 6 onwards version of the set with two platforms at each side, and like I say it helps keep costs down for Bachmann and gives them the opportunity to make whatever building they want. They could even introduce platform extension pack with a smaller piece without ramps to make a longer platform. It's just an idea I had it's probably not very good but I figured I'd try to get the idea out there. Christian made some great points about the retaining walls too so give his stream a watch if you can or haven't already.

I fully agree Chaz, Edward probably next then Duck and Daisy. I think both their chances have had a great boost with the announcements from Bachmann Europe.
I'm shocked there hasn't been more rolling stock repaints of the 7 plank, tankers and 12 ton vans in N. If I had to guess I'd say the Red open wagon, tar and milk tankers and maybe Mr Jolly's chocolate van will be next recolour wise, maybe Bradford too since hes a character with a face.
For new tooling I'd echo the Red Coaches and say maybe a cattle wagon (which they can later make an N scale TT3 if they so wished) or possibly the Mail car
And I fully agree a N scale Harold and Bertie would be amazing.
Last since it's fast approaching it would be nice to have an N scale Christmas set.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on November 08, 2024, 10:57:41 AMNever once did I say I was responding to anyone else, simply sharing my own thoughts. Don't particularly see what bringing up something from months ago I already owned up to accomplishes here. Nor was I the only one vocally upset at the time, in fact I was specifically one of the people saying to be patient and it will release when it does both on and off the forum. I got upset with lack of clear communication one time at the tail end, more then I should have and apologized for that, then what was going on was swiftly elaborated on, and that was that. Why are you being so rude over someone simply sharing their own thoughts? That's what this forum should be for, no?

And if I've ever come of that way recently, I'd also like to apologize to everyone here, sometimes I can be overtly blunt or statistical and if that's been a problem recently, I'd like to own up to it now as well. I'm also autistic so sometimes what I mean to say as I think it doesn't come across as well over text. So once again. I'm sorry if I myself have ever seemed confrontational as of late or too rude. I am trying very hard to not come off that way because at the end of the day. This is a franchise and line we all care about. Being rude to the fellow fans doesn't get me anywhere

Well firstly I'm not being rude I'm simply stating its not even 2025 yet. As I said there's 16 weeks till the train show which alot can happen in that time in way of where products are, how close they are to releasing and so on. And I'll be honest you do come across blunt and confrontational every time I reply to you. Like the other day that whole high horse act with Nia which simply could have been "well she's a core character to the show. I for one would like to see her" and leave it at that. It turns into a big mission statement of you vs the entire fourm which isn't the case at all. We all have our favourites who we want to see in the range and we all share an equally valuable opinion.

And I am sorry if this is harsh and I truly don't mean it to be but think about the world outside and what's currently happening. I know this is meant to be an escape but honestly arguing over catalogues or what will release when is very silly in the grand scheme of it all. Don't try to think too far ahead. We all know the patterns by now and as I say no one is currently saying "well I want this and this and this announced in the 2025 catalogue and this and this in the NMRA"

Well usually the winter announcements have mostly been recolours ever since 2019. Maybe the odd new tooling or something but usually we seem to get that in the NMRA announcements in the summer, Daisy, Rebecca, Beau, Stanley have all been summer announcements, Ryan may have been too I can't remember. As for what we have in the pipeline Stanley is fully painted, the two class 08 Diesels already have their tooling so I'm assuming they'll release in 2025. Bulgy and the rolling stick which all the rolling stock in HO has the tooling available. There's only really Bulgy that requires new tooling.
In N scale we have the 2 class 08s and Henry, Henrietta and Hannah have their painted samples and are ready to be packaged and shipped, the express coaches and Break-van need their tooling made
009 Sir Handel needs to be painted, the Gondola and D-fusit wagons need their tooling.
We have a big shipment coming in of alot of new products, 12 ton vans, Rebecca, n scale Gordon and Emily ect.
I agree the winter announcements probably won't be anything mind blowing maybe a big announcement along with recolours.
Lastly I don't think the catalogues timing will be effected by when the toy show is. There was no Toy show in 2024 and we got the catalogue in February and we still got the catalogue in February, so i don't think Bachmann are held up on what the Toy Fair is doing. I wouldn't worry too much. We'll get it when we get it with whatever announcements are inside. But as I say recent history shows that the announcements people get excited about are usually now the NMRA

Quote from: JacobSK on November 06, 2024, 11:17:01 AMHappy to see Duck make it to the range. One of my favorite Bachmann models. He's a popular character with a simple, yet charming design. The crucial question: will they fix his buffer housings and paint them in their proper red?

Daisy is awesome, too. Didn't see her coming and it's a bit left field, but glad all the same. Since the UK range is DCC Ready, I'm willing to bet they chose Daisy because her model is easy to take apart and put a decoder into.

SCRuffey is not surprising, but it makes you wonder if they're going to do like they did with Annie and Clarabel. Update his livery to look more like the large scale and N scale counterparts or leave him as is. If Bachmann UK do to SCRuffey what they did to Annie and Clarabel, I'll gladly import one over here to the States, like I did with Thomas' coaches.

Terence is welcome. Fruit & Veg van...okay. I personally would've chosen the Blue Vent Van, but that's just me.

It seems that Bachmann UK does Thomas stuff every two years. 2020, the range was introduced, 2022 we got Edward and Henry (and Bertie and Harold) and this year, Duck and Daisy (with everything else).

Either way, glad to see the Thomas range acknowledged with a solid lineup!

That's a good point I forgot about Duck's buffer housing. I've got the lot pre ordered so I'll post photos and try to point out any differences they have.

I think I'm the only one happy with the Fruit and veg van. Been wanting to grab once since they were announced but always seem to fall at the bottom of the list when I'm placing an order. Being more readily available I kinda now don't have an excuse

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on November 06, 2024, 10:39:10 AMI'm just happy to see more as well. I went to the UK this summer and it was clear the line was a huge seller, but the variety compared to here made me a little sad. Like I wish the kids who were excitedly buying the products had more. I know they could always import so it's not like they truly had less but it still felt that way at the time. That's why I wrote to their request line the first time. I think having two locos, an accesory or two, and two rolling stock announcements is the right call. Keeps costs down while also helps to expand the line in a substantial way. Hopefully this time next year we can see Emily, her coaches, Jeremy, and Oliver. Those would be my pretty solid bets for who's next. But I'm fine with whoever as long as it expands

The one thing I'd be curious to ask is regarding stuff like the vans. Since they're all the same tools why don't they just release together, what is that approval process like? Same applies for the remaining tankers. I doubt there's definitive answer but that's the only real head scratcher for me, may follow up to my previous email and see what they say. Look forward to its continued expansion, and hope it continues to thrive.

I think it's more they don't want to over saturate the market. It's easier to take it slow rather then release it all at once and most of it being shelf filler. That'll be my guess anyway since it's still a new line in the UK, I mean there's 6 vans in the range, 7 tankers and 10 7 plank wagons. Best to spread them out over the years rather then just release them all in one shot. I get why that would be good but I get why they aren't too

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on November 06, 2024, 10:07:06 AMI also wouldn't be too shocked if Emily and Oliver are close behind. Iirc someone has already found Oliver's in the U.S. with the updated UK coupling hooks already. Emily imagine is simply held back by her coaches and how the request line works, they'd probably want to drop both at the same time but that's a harder sell to justify getting approval for versus say, all of these announcements which are independent. I'm also curious what this could suggest for Daisy's N scale chances. We know N scale is based on popularity now and according to trainworld 1-8, Oliver, Emily, Diesel, and Spencer are the most popular engines consistently on there (once again make note this is only one storefront so other sales matter and this cannot be used as a universal dataset). But Daisy getting into the UK line so early is intriguing that she might be alongside them. She's also simpler so imagine that could have helped with the decision, less that has to be modified for her. Overall, a solid set of announcements. I'm a little surprised the GWR van isn't included alongside Duck, but I'm sure there is a reason.

I'm not too sure why they chose that either, it must be a good seller. Given that last year we got Edward, Henry, Harold and two tankers I'm gonna guess maybe that'll be the trend possibly going forward. 2 locos, an accessory and 2 rolling stock but I'm just guessing. I'm just happy there's more on the UK market. Rails of Sheffield and TMC already have their pre orders open. I'm not 100% certain how they approach releases here in UK.

Update: I was wrong it was Edward, Henry, Harold and Bertie released in the previous wave not the tankers. My mistake

Quote from: harrison05 on November 06, 2024, 07:29:16 AM

Quote from: Mulfred100 on November 06, 2024, 06:54:31 AM

Quote from: harrison05 on November 06, 2024, 06:47:31 AMYeh still no HO Emily or Diesel.

OO. They are OO not HO. It's better then nothing, quit moaning

fair point I was just saying them because the they are pretty much the only much main characters who aren't on Bachmann UK in "OO" yet...

But if introducing characters like Duck and Daisy who are both great sellers in the US market helps the UK I'm not sure what the issue is. We need the good sellers on the UK market as the more they sell the more chances of Bachmann next year releasing another wave of engines. We now have engines 1-8 and Daisy as well as rolling stock and accessories (Terence, Bertie and Harold) as said before it's not as simple as taking the US product and selling it in the UK they need to make modifications so it meets the 3+ standards, they make the engines ready for DCC. It's quite a bit of work really. In the mean time there's still ways to buy other engines who aren't available in the UK. So if someone is desperate for an engine and they aren't bothered about DCC then they buy from a retailer who stocks them in the UK or take to Ebay. I'm very happy with the choices Bachmann made and at the end of the day if they sell well we all win and we get more products.

Quote from: harrison05 on November 06, 2024, 06:47:31 AMYeh still no HO Emily or Diesel.

OO. They are OO not HO. It's better then nothing, quit moaning

News from the UK. Bachmann Europe/UK are introducing Duck, Daisy, Terence, The fruit and veg van and S.C.Ruffy

From my perspective on Nia I feel more like she's inevitably going to be made. I feel like she's probably the one character that Mattel will be saying to Bachmann "you need to make this engine." So I don't feel the need to mention her and I push for engines who are brushed aside, like Stephen, Porter, Harvey and Whiff and even maybe Hiro to a degree. As you said Nia is a core part of the marketing so why wouldn't she be made. We all have a voice that's of equal value to the conversation and there's not really any part of the fandom or market that is fully represented anywhere. Every announcement has that ability to annoy someone. It's about being respectful and using your voice without necessarily making others feel like their opinions don't matter. This fourm is a free public place where anyone can join and share ideas, it's not some gatekept part of the Internet. Every suggestion I make I try to look at the boarder appeal, costs, what's already available for marketing and what will get people saying "well x character is out and I could put new character with x character on this part on my layout, pulling these trucks" I have my bias and I'll always say when I do. As I say we all have a voice and it's valuable. Weather it's on here, on Facebook, x, emails, comments on a video or live stream. It all matters and for me, we are all equal and just because someone says I want this engine on here doesn't make them any less important then someone saying it on x, or Facebook. But that's just me and how I see the world I guess

Well I'm sure we'll find out how well Rebecca is selling soon enough
Back on future suggestions I've pretty much nailed down a top 5 I'd like to see (based on what we currently know and what the current mandate is. Yes I'd love Stepney and BoCo too but they aren't currently possible so I'm focusing on what is.
There's 3 pretty safe bets, 2 slightly harder but I'd buy in a heartbeat and 2 NG engines. This is just my list and opinions of what I'd like and I know they aren't heald by everyone. Also this is HO and 009.

So firstly Hiro
I think Hiro would be an incredibly popular seller for Bachmann, he's a beloved character. I honestly can't think of another tender engine (under the current mandate) who fans would love more. I personally would love a model of him running around. He'd look incredible pulling any train behind him and I think Hiro being the first CGI character in the show gives fans alot of nostalgia towards him.
Whiff
Next I've put Whiff. He'd be a great engine that appeals to most sides of the fandom, Model series character who made it to CGI and even into AEG. He's a very unique design with alot of history behind his basis. He'd be a ton of fun for people to weather up really go to town on making him look like he's been hard at work in the waste dump. The only slight thing that worries me is his glasses and how Bachmann would make those. I've never really been a fan of the molded glasses most of his merchandise but that's literally the only worry I have.
Porter
I've got Porter as my third pick. I was tempted to throw Timothy in here but I think his open cab would probably cause an issue. Honestly he and Porter were neck and neck but Porter just won out. I really love Porter's design I think he'd be a great engine to introduce as he'd have a big appeal to the US market being an American engine like Beau, Connor and Caitlin so from a selling point I think he'd be a good tank engine to introduce and he'd probably do really well especially on the back of Salty's reintroduction. He's definitely an engine I'd love a HO model of.
Stephen
I've spoken about Stephen in detail before. He's one of my favourite CGI characters and he's definitely the one I'd pick hands down if Bachmann said to me "who should we make next" I've put Stephen further down however as I know he would be more difficult then the previous 3. However I think there are more then enough selling points for him so if made I think he'd sell incredibly well. He'd look amazing pulling the Blue Open coach with some figures inside. His basis is iconic and I genuinely see Stephen as the engine where younger fans start to learn about steam engines and encourages them to look up the history or maybe their parents or grandparents start to pass on their knowledge.
Harvey
Lastly in the HO section I've gone for Harvey. Now this is my list and my own opinion, I know there's alot of demand for him and Diesel 10. Me personally I honestly wouldn't buy Diesel 10, he's one of a select few engines I'd pass on every time. However I would buy Harvey in a heartbeat. He's a classic series character that I loved way back in 2002 when he, Salty and Elizabeth were introduced (along with the pack) and I still love him now. I was over the moon in series 17 when he randomly popped up. He'd be expensive to make but man he'd be a great engine to add to the range.
Luke/Millie
For NG I'm very torn on both Luke and Millie, I'd be happy with either or both in any order. If Stephen was ever made Millie would be the perfect companion. I love her design and basis. You could even have a Figure of Sir Robert too. Luke I think would be great to round out the blue mountain mystery crew off. He'd look amazing pulling the high sided wagons. In a perfect world Bachmann would make an animal pack with a Deer you could place in Luke's cab
That's my top 5. I'm not suggesting they all get made or all get made in 2025. Its just my own personal list of engines and I'd love to see other people's lists.