Now I got a better understanding of the Open Carriage. It's not necessarily for Stephen, but rather, it's being made so that the upcoming HO Scale figures would have something to ride in.

That being said, another idea that would make use of the figures would be Samson, which would be another new tooling. Being a cabless tank engine, Samson could be given crew members to put onboard. With Samson, Bradford can also be made as his brake van, using a UK tooling like Toad did in HO Scale. Also being Bradford's first official piece of merchandise, and another good option for a brake van.

An already-released engine like Rosie can also have crew members put inside.

I agree that the Sodor Brass Band would be a terrific addition, as it would appeal to both older and younger fans, go nicely with the upcoming open carriage, and add some festivity to anyone's model railroad.



This may be wishful thinking, but the bandstand would be a very nice bonus that adds to the festivity. I would imagine that it would be made out of plastic like the square water tower in the line. Nevertheless, details like this are what really bring any model railroad to life.



https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Sodor_Brass_Band

Any word or idea when the Narrow Gauge brake van and vans coming out?

The Bachmann UK Website gives an estimate of April/May, so I'd imagine it would probably be around that time frame for the US as well.

Hi just a quick update to my previous post in terms of the breakdown train I thought of that particular rolling stock could be used as Judy and Jerome from the Adventure Begins movie and the Arrsdale to Hardwick Branch line so they'll go great with the Origin James and Thomas as well Daisy and soon to be Ryan. Judy and Jerome would be fantastic to have because Rocky I believe would cost quite a lot to make for a new tooling he'd probably have to have his own motor to run to help other engines to pull him

I would appreciate Judy and Jerome as rolling stock additions for sure, especially with the two for one deal Bachmann seems to be going for with rolling stock.  They could even do a standard breakdown crane without a face and nameplate if they wished, but if they didn't that would be understandable too.

The works unit coach would also make a great addition to go alongside Judy and Jerome.  Again, another two in one deal since both an orange and the green one have been used in the CGI series, and technically a blue one used in the background of Percy and the Calliope:



Honestly if I had to choose between another new engine in HO or Judy Jerome and the works unit cars, I would happily choose the latter since having breakdown cranes in the range would offer more diversity in rolling stock and would make a far more welcome addition for pretty much any other engine candidate on the table for HO, except for maybe Hiro.

For a new rolling stock tooling in HO Scale, the Works Unit Coach would be the perfect choice. It can be made in green, blue, and orange. Three different liveries. That would certainly make for a great trio of rolling stock in HO Scale. The Works Unit Coach would be a much simpler new tooling (a basic shape) than Judy and Jerome, which also aren't bad choices, considering Bachmann does make rail cranes. They just haven't bothered making any for the Thomas line.

So, for the next new rolling stock tooling in HO Scale, I'd say the Works Unit Coach is the #1 priority, especially for being a basic shape.

For motive power, Winston may be feasible in HO Scale, considering Bachmann UK makes Wickham trolleys, and Winston literally is a Wickham trolley. He would also make great use of the Sir Topham Hatt figure. Something for him to ride in.

I like the idea of the breakdown crane and the unit coach.

I'm one of those fans that prefer a faceless character like the breakdown cranes.

I grew up with them not having one and suddenly out of no where they have names and faces in the movie.

Add on pieces to apply if you want them is a good choice.

Quote from: Chaz on February 21, 2023, 06:54:23 PMI would appreciate Judy and Jerome as rolling stock additions for sure, especially with the two for one deal Bachmann seems to be going for with rolling stock.  They could even do a standard breakdown crane without a face and nameplate if they wished, but if they didn't that would be understandable too.

The works unit coach would also make a great addition to go alongside Judy and Jerome.  Again, another two in one deal since both an orange and the green one have been used in the CGI series, and technically a blue one used in the background of Percy and the Calliope:



Honestly if I had to choose between another new engine in HO or Judy Jerome and the works unit cars, I would happily choose the latter since having breakdown cranes in the range would offer more diversity in rolling stock and would make a far more welcome addition for pretty much any other engine candidate on the table for HO, except for maybe Hiro.

Judy and Jerome would be wonderful additions to the line, as would the Works Unit coach. Judy and Jerome would certainly be easier and make more sense to make than Rocky, who I have a hunch his complex design would make him extremely expensive to produce.

At this point, Hiro is the only engine for HO who I think would be received well. Stanley and Whiff would be nice additions, but the fact remains is that they do not seem to be as well-liked as Hiro. Charlie -- while having a very pleasing color palette -- would also be a horrible addition, given how his stint during the Miller era made him one of the many things a lot of people dislike about that time in Thomas. He also hadn't played a major role in the show since Season 18, before permanently being reduced to background appearances and cameos.

In HO Scale, Hiro would be the new tooling for an engine that would be best-received, as he is the most popular CGI-originated character. With Rebecca joining the range, which is bringing tender engines back to HO Scale, Hiro is now more possible. Rebecca's wheels can even be used as parts for Hiro. Just repainted, plus two additional drive wheels.

Judy, Jerome and the Works Unit Coach would be the best choices for new rolling stock toolings. I'd love to see the Works Unit Coach released in green, orange and blue. Like I said about Judy and Jerome, Bachmann has done rail cranes for HO Scale. They just haven't bothered doing any for the Thomas line. Doesn't mean they can't.

Well, here we go.  The announcements as mentioned earlier were fairly small as Bachmann is clearly playing catch-up on previously announced products.  So I'll be sharing my thoughts on what I think should be introduced next for NMRA and 2024. Got a lot to get through, so here are my thoughts.


HO engine wise, the only engine I would be interested in seeing at this point would be Hiro.  Many fans, including myself, are still salty Bachmann picked Rebecca over Hiro since Hiro was a much more popular request than Rebecca (long before she was ever a thing for that matter), and would have been a much better seller too.  But if Hiro is the next new engine tooling after Rebecca, then all would be forgiven on my end.  He might be more expensive than Rebecca, but I can promise you right now fans would be a lot more willing to pay the higher cost for a Hiro model than they would for Rebecca, especially the Japanese fans.

I do want to talk more about rolling stock though, particularly Judy and Jerome and the works unit cars:


Judy and Jerome offer major diversity for Bachmann's rolling stock, particularly since there isn't a breakdown crane in the range yet.  These seem like an easy two for one cash in just begging to happen.  Their different faces make them easily recognizable, their designs are surprisingly simple, (especially compared to Harvey and Rocky), and they go along nicely with several of Bachmann's current offerings including the recently released Daisy and Ryan.


And since Bachmann's been on a kick of introducing recolors during slower times, in the future they can even introduce a plain breakdown crane as a recolor option, giving fans an option if they want to go a more classic style route.




And finally, in order to complete the breakdown train, they will need to introduce a works unit car. This is a relatively easy piece for Bachmann to make despite being a new tooling and they offer different livery choices, orange, green and even blue.  All of which have been present in the CGI series.

The only drawback I see to Judy and Jerome would be the high price tag, but if Bachmann is seriously willing to go along with Rebecca with a ridiculously high RRP at $300, then I really don't see what should stop them from adding Judy and Jerome in the range at this point.  Again, not as many people will pay a lot of money for Rebecca, but a lot of people will be more likely to spend a similar amount on both Judy and Jerome and the works unit cars.



As for narrow gauge, considering how long it took them to get Peter Sam out and how slow progress has been on Sir Handel, I'm not expecting a Duncan announcement until NMRA 2024 at the earliest.  I do think out of the remaining narrow gauge engines in the CGI seasons, Duncan would make the most sense to be introduced despite many fans indifference to the CGI design. That being said, I think many people would still appreciate Duncan being picked next if it meant completing all the classic narrow gauge engines who appeared in CGI, so I think it'd be worth the investment for Bachmann for that reason alone.


I do, however, think that they could benefit from, at least, adding some more rolling stock re-colors. While the new box vans and brake vans turned out great, it would be nice seeing these being available in brown as these were both present in the model and CGI seasons.  To add, the brown variants are the only ones used in the CGI seasons and are almost always used in narrow gauge goods trains.  Hopefully Bachmann can introduce these in their next lineup! 

Also there's one more numbered slate wagon Bachmann has yet to introduce which is #138, but like how they introduced the recent one they can throw that one in the range anytime they'd like.


All right time for my N scale wishlist!  Since we are currently waiting on a batch of three engines in the form of Toby, Gordon and Emily, I'd like to suggest my top three engines that I would like to see included in the lineup next: 


After seeing the engineering sample of Gordon being done so quickly, I have zero doubt that there are plans for Henry in the future, given the shared motor and chassis (minus Gordon's trailing wheels) he and Gordon both share on the show.  Henry has always been a popular seller with Bachmann in HO and his Tomix model is still going for high prices online, thus indicating that an N scale Henry model will be a very popular seller.  He's been the top request for the n scale range for a reason, and it would be disappointing if they picked any other engine before Henry for their next engine announcement.


After Henry, I feel like Edward is a very natural next step, completing the original main cast of characters in addition to having promising strong sales that would mirror that of Gordon and Henry.  His HO model was and still is a very popular seller too.  So popular that both his model and Henry's sales were enough to convince Bachmann UK to recently add both him and Henry in their limited lineup of Thomas models.  The fact that they picked them before Emily or even Diesel speaks very high volumes.


Once Bachmann finishes the original main cast, I think Duck should be one of the first side characters to be introduced in the N scale range.  Just like Henry and Edward, Duck's HO model has incredibly strong sales indicating that he should be prioritized over many of the other side characters in N scale.  Duck also is very popular with both he older and younger audiences and carries a strong presence in both the model and the CGI series.  He's an iconic classic character with a lot going for him, it would be silly for him to not be picked after Henry and Edward, except for maybe Diesel.


Speaking of, honorable mentions for future engine candidates go to Diesel and Oliver.  Diesel feels like a shoe-in Bachmann can add to N scale anytime, especially with the multiple recolor choices, while Oliver would go along great with the N scale Toad model.

Now let's talk about rolling stock.  Bachmann's introduced a lot of new rolling stock toolings in N scale in such a short amount of time so hopefully these can be considered during the NMRA and 2024.  So here are my top three new rolling stock toolings (in addition to an additional recolor):


Gordon's express coaches are such a low-hanging fruit for rolling stock, and I'm surprised these weren't announced alongside Gordon last summer.  However, I'd like to think we aren't that far off from seeing them given the progress Bachmann has made on the N scale Gordon.  They can also introduce red express coaches at a later date with the same toolings too.  It's also worth noting that the market for express coaches in N scale is evident given by how much the red ones go for online, just like Henry. 


The red coaches would also make very welcome additions too as mentioned before.  I feel these however can wait until after the express coaches, but regardless I feel these will find their way in the range eventually.  They've always been popular sellers with Bachmann and look great behind most engines on the show.  They were popular in HO and they have been flying off shelves for the large scale range, and I have no doubt they would do the same for N.  They can also reuse the tooling for these to make Toby's Museum coaches too.



While there aren't really any other wagon recolors I'm interested in personally, I feel like a very natural and welcome addition would be the original coal wagon with load.  The dark green livery with black frames was always an iconic livery used in both the model and CGI series and the coal load itself has always been a fun gimmick to swap around with various wagons in the range.  It's also been very popular in HO and at one point large scale, still being produced by the former several years later, thus indicating that this will be a recolor that will continue to have strong sales in N scale too.



And last but not least, brake vans!  The 20 ton brake van tooling being glossed over in favor of Toad was kind of an odd choice on Bachmann's part, but regardless I feel Bachmann can still introduce this tooling into the range and introduce a brake van in a livery similar to what's been shown in the CGI series in addition to making one for the spiteful brake van, who was also a very popular seller in HO and large scale. 

Honorable mentions for future pieces of N scale rolling stock go to the mail car and a new tanker tooling.  The mail car has always  been popular with Bachmann and there's multiple colors they can work off of.  Plus the market for N scale mail cars are there since Tomix made them at one point.  As for a new tanker tooling, I feel the benefit to introducing a newer and more accurate N scale tanker tooling would be in Bachmann's best interest since most fans aren't a fan of the current tankers since they're recolors of the Graham farish tooling due to their their inaccuracy to what's in the show.  Discontinuing them in favor of introducing a new tanker tooling in the form of milk, oil, and fuel would really win a lot of fans over and make up for lackluster sales with the Graham farish recolors.

So that's pretty much everything, let me know your thoughts and hopefully we will see most of these find their way in either the NMRA and/or 2024.

Have to agree with your post, Chaz! Your comments are spot on.

The only things I can really add are that Judy and Jerome make more sense than Rocky because they have simpler tooling(s). The Works Unit coach has been seen by itself and with the Breakdown Train, so I'd be okay if it was announced by itself first. Henry in N scale also completes the original Tomix quartet. Edward was another one promised by Tomix at one point but never produced so he also makes sense. Diesel is an inevitable addition as well. I'm surprised the Brown narrow gauge brake and box vans have yet to be announced, but I also think they should be announced in the not too distant future.

The best choice for an engine in HO Scale at this time is Hiro, while the best choices for rolling stock are Judy, Jerome, and the Works Unit Coach. All of which require new toolings, but will be well worth it. While Hiro will be the most expensive model in HO Scale, given his sheer size, but many are willing to pay that much for him. There is a market for Hiro. Engine recolors can include Sidney, Fernando, or Green Salty, while rolling stock recolors can include bringing the Chocolate Syrup Tanker and Toffee Tanker to HO Scale.

For Narrow Gauge, the best choices are Duncan, as well as the brown brake van and box van. Although many are iffy on Duncan's CGI render, he will complete the classic Skarloey Railway engines that appeared in CGI. Progress has been slow on Sir Handel, so it may be a while before Duncan gets announced.

For N Scale, the best choice for an engine is Henry. After Henry, it would be most natural to follow with Edward, which will complete the original main cast in N Scale. The best choices for the first side characters would be Diesel, Duck and Oliver. Like Chaz said, Diesel would be a shoe-in with many potential recolors, including Paxton, whose face will look a lot better without the eye mechanism being an issue like it was in HO Scale. For N Scale rolling stock, the best choices would be the Express Coaches, Red Coaches, Mail Car, Coal Wagon w/ Load, Red Open Wagon, and brake vans, including the Spiteful Brake Van.

Great work on the post, Chaz! Reading your suggestions is always a pleasure and this post was no exception.

Starting with HO, with CGI engines considered, I completely agree that Hiro is the number one engine that should be announced. As a character that has been in the show from the very beginning of the CGI era (now over a decade ago!), he would be a very popular seller for fans both young and old. This is a model that I would love to pick up as well.

Moving on to rolling stock, the works unit coach would be a terrific addition, given the recolor possibilities, and the fact that it has appeared in the show since the very first season. As primarily a model era Thomas modeler, I would pick up the green variant, but I could see the orange and blue variants selling well too. The good thing is that all three appeared in the CGI era. As for the breakdown train, I am all for it, given its unique look and function. The original crane, Judy, Jerome, and Rocky are all choices that I am on board with.

For Narrow Gauge, Duncan and the brown brake van definitely feel like logical additions for the future. If possible though, it would be beneficial for Bachmann's Duncan model to have a mix of real-life proportions and a CGI paint scheme. This would be the best of both worlds, just as Skarloey was.

Lastly, for N Scale, as others have stated multiple times, Henry certainly feels like the most logical choice when considering which engine to announce next. As for rolling stock, the express coaches would be excellent, but I would personally love to see the original coal wagon with load too, as mentioned.

Here's hoping most of these suggestions, along with some new HO Figure Packs, will be announced in the next few years!

Rebecca has certainly raised the demand for Hiro in HO Scale. Rebecca's announcement had officially put tender engines back into the picture, considering she is the first newly-tooled tender engine in HO Scale since Donald and Douglas. We may see her unpainted prototype this summer at the earliest.

Did you know that Rebecca was intended to be a Season 21 character? After several episodes got cut, she wasn't introduced until the next season. The start of a short-lived era that killed the original show, but that's a different topic.

Hiro will even be prioritized over the likes of Stanley and Whiff, since he's much more popular, including among the Japanese audience. He's one of those CGI characters that's actually a big fan favorite. Maybe after Hiro, Flying Scotsman could be another good choice for a tender engine, since it's been 100 years since Flying Scotsman first came to service, and he was in CGI. The only issue is his second tender, which will make him more expensive. Hiro has two more drive wheels than Rebecca, but should still be feasible. If we just can't get Stepney, Hiro will be more than welcome.