And given that Dennis was gonna be originally appear in Day of the Diesels, but quickly got the "Charlie" treatment in that they decided to create a whole new character instead to make it fresh, I'd wonder what Dennis would've looked like with the CGI details of Norman had he'd shown up on-screen. Heck, his real-life basis also had that detail on his bufferbeam, whatever those things are, but point being that his and Norman's faces would be the only thing that'd be the challenge to deal with....

If we can, primarily update Thomas, Percy, and James due to their models being so outdated their pricing in today's standard is absurd (looking at Amazon's listing of Percy, $70-80 for a not-so-good looking engine is just ridiculous...)...

It'll make WAY more sense for them to make the update/overhaul the models from scratch to make them much more in-line with the current models being made (and to justify the pricing right now too)..., especially comparing the likes of Ryan and then Thomas looks so awkward....

The idea of Rocky plus Judy & Jerome being made is a perfect idea, BUT without the DCC because as much as the idea is great, it'll come down to the cost. Like Cheeky_ULP said, and also down to the previous mentioning of Harvey and Diesel 10, their extended arms (Harvey, Rocky, and Judy & Jerome's crane arms and/or Diesel 10's Pinchy) would alone add to the cost of the extra parts to be made. I'd shudder to think that Rocky himself would somehow end up being the Rebecca equivalent to being an expensive rolling stock, but who knows....

In the off-chance that Bachmann needs an alternative recolors to existing characters, here's my suggestion/ideas for them to think about:

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/f/fc/Salty%27sSurprise27.png/revision/latest?cb=20151125173601

Green Salty:

With the re-issue of Salty (as far as I'm aware of), we could have a Green Salty as a fun little color variant from that one episode that is kind of dull in the Nitrogen era (also since we got a Yellow Rheneas from Blue Mountain Mystery that contrasted his usual Red-Orange paintwork)...

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/b/b1/BillorBen%3F110.png/revision/latest?cb=20180807204328

Blue Bill & Ben

Oh man, having Twins be colored blue like from Bill or Ben is a fun idea because they're a two-for-one deal in that not only their boilers would be painted blue, but also their wheels too....! The only thing that needs to be changed slightly is their nameplates of who's who...! Not sure if they'd even be able to do this with how Bachmann released them as their Model era counterparts, w/ their detailing that was added in the CGI series by this point, but hey who knows since we got a LBSC Thomas & Origins James model, perhaps just not add anything and just change the paintwork...

I'd be down for Bachmann to make different facial expressions since here's why: I recently purchased a model of Ryan a couple months ago, and when I opened the packaging he was in, his face plate popped off, as if somewhere along the line the manufacturing process forgot to kind of secure his face tightly or his clip was loose, it got me thinking there should be a possibility of newer faces to add onto the models for variety. We also got two different faces for Diesel, who got a Happy and Grumpy variants, which should say that if Bachmann were able to do this for a character released a decade ago, then there should be priority for a characters released over 2 decades ago too...! At the very least, if Bachmann wants to go down this route, (and this is assuming they also upgrade mainly Thomas, Percy, and James), they probably wouldn't have to worry about making new models and just make the faces to save on money, unless if the models themselves need to be touched up like paintwork (Toby becoming slightly darker brown for example)....

Then there's the fact that since this'll be just a single batch run, meaning we'll need to make sure we can snag our preorders in to avoid the fear of missing out, so them making a new RWS face would be a unique moulding and exclusive to this set. Heck, IF this pans out, we could see potential changes here and there, like maybe getting the long-awaited updated faces to the older models released in 2002 that really need the new faces. Now wouldn't that be something to think about...?

I just realized, Sir Handel has brake pipes on him...! That wasn't a feature on the previous 4 released characters....! That's pretty awesome and surprising that he's gotten brake pipes on his model, unless if it's based on Sir Haydn which would make sense if that's the case....

https://www.facebook.com/Bachmanntrains/posts/pfbid06uYuMyipzmC392DbBYEbnYkPPF2gzFZsUPzivMRLQSbSmFZBQPun9WZgWJyUbCPZl

Also those pictures of Sir Handel look AMAZING!!! I hope I can get my hands on him this year if not the next...!

A Trevor would be interesting if Bachmann greenlit this character, but I'd rather see how Bulgy turns out since he's the most recent CGI returnee road vehicle character to be made for Bachmann, and whether or not they'll give him decent detailing compared to say Terence (his caterpillar treads look so cheaply made that Thomas would be justified to insult them when they first met).

Speaking of suggestions mentioned here, I think perhaps there might be some additions/alternatives that may be possible if Bachmann does need ideas for their options:

HO/OO: I'm for sure on board with Hiro, Whiff, or Stephen as options as there are possibilities and/or reasons for them to be considered to be made next as mentioned by everyone earlier. Here's my add-ons based on the recent announcements (like the open topped coach):

Glynn: considering that Stephen is someone that pulls the open topped coaches at the Estate Railway (and that's IF Stephen gets the green light), Glynn could be considered too to go along with Stephen considering they usually pair characters that work together as of recent, like they did with Ryan and Daisy. Also, I wouldn't mind them not including the moving eye feature because I doubt they'd be able to fit the mechanics into a tiny Coffee Pot as well as the likes of Stephen too, so if they don't include that feature, I'd be fine with that since Beau has shown us that's possible...

**AND this is assuming if they add on to the Open Topped Coach**

The "Liverpool and Manchester" Railway Coaches: I mean wouldn't these pair really well with the Open Topped Coaches? I mean the possibilities are there if Stephen and/or Glynn do get announced...! Granted, maybe just the ladder part might be the part they may not include for costly reasons, but as long as they get 90% of the detailing there, it should be doable.

The Slip Coaches: seeing Gordon's Special Coaches be suggested for the future, and just like Toby's Museum Coaches be a thing, it's a possibility, it'll be fun to see all 3 models of the Slip Coaches (or as Duck calls them, "Slippies") run behind Duck as if they were on their Sunshine Line back in the day. Probably just modify Spencer's Coach (since it doesn't have those corridor-things) and voila, those 3 Slip Coaches can be doable.

OO9: definitely agree with Luke to go along with the upcoming releases of the BMQ rolling stock recently revealed, especially if Bachmann are still doing their models based on ones they can convert to their real-life counterparts like they did with Skarloey and Sir Handel's models.

Millie: interesting IF Stephen and/or Glynn get announced, as another option for the narrow gauge line of characters to add for the lineup in CGI.

Victor: he'd be great as a pairing IF assuming Hiro gets the green light to be made for the future as well as another option of being another unique looking narrow gauge engine, though the paintwork might be the tricky bit depending on if that's a costly consideration, but hopefully not...

Open Topped Coach: I know what you're thinking, what do you mean? I mean the one that Millie pulls, in other words, the narrow gauge variant since if we got a standard gauge variant, why not a narrow gauge variant too (and that's assuming if Millie herself gets announced to the range)?

**FORGOT TO ADD, but might as well**

Kevin: again, IF Victor gets announced, another pairing to be made to complete the Steamworks Duo AND as a road vehicle crane based character to use to diversify their range (and they haven't had a yellow road character yet, so there's that).

N: obviously after the likes of LBSC Thomas and Origins James be made, definitely would be on board with Edward to be made to complete the first 7 characters. It would be a crime not to include him after announcing Henry, though I feel he'd be announced mid-July like the latter...., so here's my next batch of options after the above characters be finished and all:

Oliver: I mean we got Toad be made for this range, so it certainly make sense for Oliver to be at least considered to be made to be paired with Toad, especially since Henrietta is now paired with Toby.

Duck: another consideration I'd say since he's popular AND since he was announced for release in the European side of the range, that'd be something to be on board with too.

Mavis: since Toby has been made, they could do the same with Mavis in doing the same/similar mechanics from Toby's base, as well as another unique diesel/female character to add to the range.

Rosie (pink and/or red variants at the same time perhaps): I'd be curious if they do release her, release both versions of her at the same time as options for people to choose between old or new versions of a character that while still feels like a missed opportunity, a great livery change nonetheless.

Spiteful Brake Van: since we got Toad added into this part of the range, why not another variant released from HO and Large scale eh?

**And this bit is just my personal bias/wish and probably might not be on the priority list, but one can dream right?**

Donald and Douglas: I mean I'd be down for the Scottish Twins to be made for the range AND their CGI variants being available in this range would be great to see if done right...! I mean they'd only need to use one moulding with minor facial differences, nameplates, and numbers like their HO/OO counterparts.

Bill and Ben: These two like the Scots, can be made with one moulding, but with a bit of modifications like nameplates and faces, and perhaps we can see if alternatively these two may be cheaper to make as twins without tenders.

Arry and Bert: if Bachmann need new Class 08's to add to the range, just without the ladders on Diesel and Paxton, this could be an alternative for them to add new characters with same ol' mouldings too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaTANyGA-h4

Looking at the section with Sir Hayden's prototype models, only the red and green versions are made, but not a black one like the Talyllyn model. Is it because Sir Hayden never had a black coat of paint when working on the early days of the railway (and this is just a question from someone who has never ever visited the real-life railway in person and/or even seen much photos/videos to be able to grasp any details)?

Quote from: TrainFan97 on January 03, 2025, 04:41:18 PMForgive 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...

Looking at the image of Sir Handel, it makes me wonder: is his cab also die-cast metal? I ask this because when comparing to Skarloey's prototype model (the differences on his model are easier to pinpoint), makes me wonder if #3 cab is also die-cast or just also plastic. Hard to tell when the silver looks so similar to the boiler...

The only thing for Connor is that the pricing will be a challenge in a way... The Rebecca model is already expensive enough as a tender engine as she is, so the only way I can see Bachmann considering Connor is if they kind of reuse parts from the Hudson model they use, like the wheels for example, to at least keep the pricing down even just between more Beau's RRP and less Rebecca's RRP... Just like how Stanley looks like he reuses Thomas' wheels (w/ updated siderods) and/or Ryan reusing Oliver's wheel's, that'll be hopefully something they can consider.

Just out of curiosity, is there a set amount that Rebecca has to sell in order to greenlight Hiro's model (like 100 units/models of Rebecca for example?)?

For me, the blister packaging made sense when the models back then were cheaper in price, but as time goes on-whether by inflation or the expenses for the materials/additional detailing like separately-fitted handrails to make the models-it's evident that the packaging needs to be updated to better protect the products being sold. The models like Ryan aren't exactly cheap these days, becoming closer to models that adults would purchase if it's up their alley.

Heck, I remember being able to purchase a model of Edward for about $50-ish from Amazon, which is pretty great back a decade ago, but these days it's doubled to $100-ish, assuming inflation being a key factor.

So yeah, with how expensive models are becoming, and with how Rebecca is gonna be pretty dang expensive judging from the preorder prices/RRP, it'll make sense to protect these models in boxes like any hobby of regular models sold these days. Hopefully this'll be something for Bachmann to consider because by this point the blister packaging feels outdated/out of place, which would then give them to update the packaging to make their HO Scale range cohesive with their other lines of N, Large, and Narrow Gauge.

Boy it's been a long time since I've been on Bachmann's forums, but here I am!

After seeing all these announcements drop, especially with potential upcoming reveals for characters like Sir Handel, I figured I'd drop my suggestions/predictions for next year:

HO/OO:

Hiro, depending on if Rebecca does well as a seller, in which will be amazing to see a D51 be made for this range!

Spencer with the updated silver paintwork. If the likes of Rosie, Thomas, and James are able to get repainted variants, then Spencer can get one too, provided that it's not expensive to do seeing that Tender Engines aren't cheap to make...

Thomas, Percy, and James getting updated faces. If Diesel was able to get a Grumpy face, then at the very least it'll be great to make the range cohesive w/ the Large Scale and N Scale ranges.

-Road Vehicle

Kevin, if Victor gets announced, can't forget Kevin as a pairing.
Trevor, since Bulgy's getting made, good chance for him to be made with little changes from his Model/CGI versions.

-Rolling Stock

Henrietta, since the N scale will get a facial add-on, it'll be great if her HO/OO model gets updated. Heck, if she gets made, then Hannah can get made as well as an option.

Dexter. Who knows, since we got a red brake coach made, perhaps this can be an interesting add-on like the Spiteful Brakevan, but with some adjustments to where his face will be (and can be made with/without the chassis too).

Gordon's Special Coaches: If Toby's Museum coaches were made for this range despite only appearing once, although made thanks to a Twitter post, then it'll be great if Gordon's coaches from Season 10's Emily and the Special Coaches would be great to see!

Spencer's Special Brake Coach: I'm surprised that his brake coach hasn't been made to go with his special coach since it was shown during Season 10, so that'll be something if Bachmann needs something to make.

OO9

Victor, just like Hiro if announced next year, will be a fitting inclusion for all of the Hero of the Rails characters to be announced for Bachmann for a fitting 80th Anniversary for the franchise!

Luke, another character to complete the upcoming Blue Mountain Quarry rolling stock, but at a later date.

Millie, I'd say she'd be on the back burner if the other narrow gauge characters from the CGI eras are finished by this point.

*...and if the CGI mandate gets lifted, at least if they need any new models for the narrow gauge characters:*

Mighty Mac
Duke
Bertram
Smudger
Freddie
Proteus

N Scale

Edward, no question since it'll be fitting to have him be the final OG 7 character made for this range, certainly an announcement for the 80th Anniversary is a no brainer.

Thomas LBSC Livery, perfect announcement as a recolor and a 10 year anniversary since the Adventure Begins

James Origin ver, same as LBSC Thomas.

Large Scale:

Edward, same reason for the N scale, but also should be doable since James is relatively the same size as him.

Thomas LBSC, same reason like the N scale.

James Origin version, same reason like the N scale.

Salty. It annoys me that only Emily from the Gullane era got made, but not others like Salty who's doable to be made, albeit if cost isn't a major factor.

Henrietta, long overdue where even Toby's Museum Coaches get made first instead of her. Also if she gets made then Hannah can also be made too!

Does anyone else notice that Arry's name is misspelled?