I am pretty happy with what we got this year.  If you can remember, Bachmann said that they have to sell things they know will sell well.  It is a time where technology is really ruining kids and keeping them glued to the screen.  That being said, Bachmann did say Thomas helps their market for toolings and since the Thomas stuff sells well for them, they got to be careful with what they invest in. 

I feel bad for all those people who paid lots of money for Gordon's coaches and the flatbeds. Usually stock images means its done with tooling and decorated sample stage and now its in manufacturing. 

Looking forward to n gauge.  Tomix has gone down in quality with the recent re-release and Bachmann stuff always runs well.  While I know there aren't any sets for n this year, it seems like they are testing the waters and seeing how it sells first.  As someone who has dove into HO/OO/N and OO9, N was great because it allowed for longer trains, more track and less space.  I remember having a great set up with the KATO track I bought and it was only in a space of 3'x5'.  I never wanted a big Thomas layout, but a portable N layout seems fun.  ALSO there are companies who make modules strictly to fit n gauge set ups called T-Traks.  Model Railroader did them and it looks like it would be a GREAT way for a Thomas model club to start. 

Here are some examples:





You can put these together to form layouts too:


Just some food for thought. 

As someone who has owned the older and newer lines of Tomix, I can say that Bachmann getting the mans to make N is more exciting. 

Tomix never released past four engines, with the newer releases only being the first three.  I know from experience that the tooling for the newer ones was terrible.  I went through two James locos because they stripped gears with little use.  Tomix was also over-scaled. 

They have NEM sockets so you can switch them out for standard n gauge or others:

Dapol makes variations you can use:

Do you think it is likely Bachmann will release the HO pacific in Southern Green?  Cannot find anyone who does any Southern Railway green steam in HO.

Quote from: angelob6660 on April 29, 2018, 02:38:29 PM
If I bought something in Europe. What shipping method should I get.

I saw a Peco brown box van and slate wagons at Hattons. Should it matter if the slate wagons don't have the wooden bumpers? Or was this added for the Thomas line?

I also wanted to get 2 signs for my future locomotives from Narrow Planet.

Yes this is first time ordering something from overseas international country.

PECO stock is compatible with Bachmann OO9 stuff.  The Bachmann Thomas Narrow Gauge line is mostly modelled off the Talyllyn Railway, where all the stock has buffers of some kind.  The PECO stock is based off the Lyton and Barnstaple Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway, where they lack two front buffers. 

When I buy from Hattons, the 2 day shipping ($16 is a good deal) is the best for me. 

With Narrow Planet, your wait period is about 4-6 weeks.

Static grass getting applied!

Quote from: grandpuff on December 17, 2017, 11:24:16 PM
Hi Griffin:

I finally have an answer for you regarding the faces that I plan to use for my Mighty Mac loco you asked about back on page 11.

The set of faces that I got from a Take and Play Mighty Mac turned out to be too big.

After doing a little searching I found a couple of derelict Ertl metal Rheneas locos which have the correct size faces to fit my Mighty Mac.

I added a lick of hair on one and some freckels on the other and I think they will work well as stand-ins on my model.



I do not know why my photos are not appearing only the link, does anyone know what I am doing incorrectly?

Still waiting for some good outdoor painting weather.

Sorry it took a while to get back to you.

Grandpuff

How wide is the smokebox on these kits? 

I feel that Chaz makes several good points.  With the unique funnel and being a prominent member of the narrow gauge railway (being present in every season they featured), I'd be one to buy it. 

Try this place: http://www.youchoos.co.uk/

I put DCC sound in some of my previous Thomas engines with this. 

Quote from: Plow Bender on February 21, 2018, 01:44:23 PM

As I said before, model railroading is a delayed gratification hobby.  You've got a generation today that is primarily (that doesn't mean everyone...) an instant gratification society.  Things like building kits or much less a model railroad take too long.  A few years back my hobby shop quit stocking a lot of their K&S, Evergreen, and Plastruct supplies due to a decline in the number of sales.  Even your Woodland Scenics landscaping materials just sit on the shelves collecting dust.  As the owner told me, it's a lot easier for someone to go out and buy something premade verses trying to build it themselves.

This saddens me.  THAT'S THE BEST PART OF A LAYOUT!  Nothing more satisfying than building a scene you can say "I made that!". 

I mean, I am guilty of buying a 3D printed coach or loco because I am not good at scratch building complex items.  I take pride in painting and weathering it though.  Nothing more soothing than building a kit either!

Well, might as well have a go at this.

Next year:
HOn30

Peter Sam


Why Peter Sam?  He is a popular narrow gauge engine.  He's one of the few engines that frequently visits the Talyllyn on a regular basis and he's got that special funnel.  His 0-4-2 configuration makes a good candidate for excellent pick-up (like Skarloey) and he's one of the few engines that receives merchandise whenever the narrow gauge are brought in. He's the top of my list honestly.  

Brake Vans

Easy tool to make if using the NG coach chassis.  Great to compliment the end of trains.



For those who are saying the large scale line is doomed, think of this: Maybe Diesel's outside motion was too complicated/breakable?  Thomas and his crew in LS are durable it seems.  Maybe the costs of manufacturing became too much for them to think it was worth it.   Plus, I don't see the point of Farmer McColl having a wagon if there is a GWR one already in the line.  

After thinking on it, seems like Bachmann wanted to finish what they started instead of having so many products in development.  

Honestly guys, I know we are a tad disappointed, but be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. 

Let's be honest.  The narrow gauge line is aimed at us, the Thomas fans. I agree that maybe they are on a budget this year and we are lucky we got the NG coaches. 

Not pointing fingers at anyone!

Remember 2014?  Arry and Bert still hadn't come out, we got the red coaches and that was about it.  We also had the resin buildings too.  We were pretty disappointed in no new engine that year also.  Not saying Bachmann is going to fulfill your every wish next year, but the next year we got Oliver and Skarloey.  I am pretty sure Skarloey was in development for a while before the announced it.  It takes 2+ years to make anything in the model train world.  Bachmann UK is JUST getting in the Baldwin's it announced in 2014. 

The announced a Quarry Hunslet and I don't think it will come out before 2020.  Maybe they have stuff in development, but they didn't feel to announce it because of the complaints they get of something taking 2 years to make.     

The NG coaches are great, but I am a bit disappointed overall.  Was hoping for Peter Sam or at least an image of Rusty.  

There is always next year though.  It could be worse, we could have nothing at all!

I hope to see Peter Sam this year.  It is my own personal taste, but having two orange, a scarlet and a yellow engine doesn't bring much color. 

Considering we got these a year earlier than the UK did and the fact they are under the Thomas brand is probably why they are $30 a piece.