The Everything Thomas Topic

[Armada Starscream]

I really like that while they released the CGI version of the Milk Tanker, they also still have the original Model Series version available as the Tidmouth Milk Tanker, so that way they have both versions on the market at the same time, allowing fans the option of the Model Series version, the CGI series version, or both. I hope they do the same with the 77039 Sodor Fuel Tanker: release the CGI series Fuel Tanker as a separate item while leaving the Sodor Fuel Tanker available as well.

[Zorran202]

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)?

[Kemptown Branch]

These announcements are all really good in my opinion!

I actually really like the RWS set and the 80th Anniversary vans, they all look really good! It's also cool to see that Thomas and the 3 wagons in the set all have exclusive features as well. The new Milk Tank was unexpected, but it's nice to see how it was differentiated from the Tidmouth Milk Tank with the black bands. Troublesome Truck 7 is also pretty cool!

I was not expecting the product tooling reveals at all, but it's cool to see that Bachmann are pretty far along with the Open Carriage and NG Gondolas!

As far as N Scale goes, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we're getting both LBSC Thomas and Origin James! I'm also excited that we finally got some Open Wagon recolors after 6 years, moreso for the Red Open Wagon, but the Scrap Co. Wagon is probably my favorite of the 3 logo versions.

It's also cool to see that Large Scale is getting LBSC Thomas as well!

Overall, I think this announcement set is really good, and it's nice to see how many of the products tie into the 80th Anniversary!

[TrainFan97]

I'll have to preorder that 80th Anniversary set as soon as it goes live. Same for the special vans, and I won't cancel them. I ended up having to cancel my preorders on the N Scale Emily set and Narrow Gauge Slate Wagon repaints just a week before they arrived in stock because I needed to save money after all I spent on Christmas. Saved a good $300 right there, but I should get those items eventually. The 80th Anniversary set is definitely the best set to have celebrated a milestone for the series. I still haven't gotten the Deluxe set with the ore loads. Instead of a Gold Thomas, we're getting a set full of exclusives, including a RWS-styled Thomas.

As for Troublesome Truck #7, no doubt they're just going to put a face on the Gray 12-Ton Van and call it a day.

In the February Trainworld stream, Doug Blaine will go over all the new announcements, and previously announced products, including those that haven't had samples yet. I'm just waiting for N Scale Diesel, Paxton, and the Express Coaches to finally have samples shown. I know Doug is going to show off the samples of the HO Scale Open Carriage and Narrow Gauge Gondolas. I hope that in a few months, we'll see Stanley and Salty in their packages. May not be until summer when Sir Handel and the DCC Sound-Fitted Thomas and Percy get shown in their packages. Stay tuned for the NMRA announcements this July.

[harrison05]

The reactions to the 80th anniversary set on twitter has been DISGUSTING people HATE this set idk why. Someone even said that it's the worst thing ever to come out of the Bachmann Thomas line, this why we can't have nice things.

[JLK2707]

Hopefully there will be more updates in February.

[TrainFan97]

Hopefully there will be more in February.

Not until July.

[TRAINSROCK!]

I checked the catalog last night and they've announced a lot of solid stuff. (I was hoping for new engines but the rolling stock really blew me away). the 80th anniversary vans are a special treat especially since this year is the 80th anniversary of the railway series. (I'm sort of leaning towards the van with the retro logo of the shows original logo wish it was still like that). troublesome truck 7 I was expecting. since they just released the 12 ton vans. (I bought the grey one and the one with the christmas wreth). and I'm happy that sir handel is finished. and the gondolas for the narrow guage line I'm especially excited. (I wanted to buy 6 of the light grey ones one of the dark grey ones and just one of the oxie red). just to represent the ones for tayllan. (still aggravated about duncan canceled I'm sorry for bringing that up again I just was so excited for him I've just never felt disappointed for a bachmann item I was excited for). and the 80th anniversary set is especially nice. I'm also wondering since the set comes with the 12 ton van I'm hoping this means they'll do bradford. (and of course they got to do samson). I just always thought samson would be easy since he shares the same chassis with percy and both bill and ben. (though he might be a new tooling that's why I always wanted him but we'll just see).

[Coaltronn]

I am excited for the 80th anniversary set and the exclusive rolling stock.. wish it was sold without the track and controller but i understand. I wish I could buy the quarry tower separate from the deluxe Thomas and troublesome truck set. nice to see the open blue carriages. CGI milk tank is cool as i would like to have one of each rolling stock. the 80th anniversary rolling stock is nice for a collectable but would have appreciated something more Model series rolling stock esk or the RWS rolling stock besides the RWS set. seeing the gondolas for HOn30 is nice. im excited for bulgy and the personnel grouping and hope they continue to expand those sets. I agree with trainsrock i honestly am more excited to complete the hon30 set with duncan in the future. all together feels lack luster but perhaps my expectations were too high. i also understand im going to buy everything so they need to sell items that will cause success and not products that dont sell. altogether its great that we continued product announcements.

[JacobSK]

Okay, the announcements are out! Here're my thoughts.

HO:

The starter set is pretty nice. Exclusive items were a smart move that give something for everybody. The grey 12T double vent van in particular looks pretty slick. Honestly? It should've been available like that at some point, but I guess now was the perfect opportunity to release it. The brake van is interesting. Wonder what the final product will look like? If it is the LMS-style 20T van, perhaps it can be used for Bradford. Let's see it first. Hopefully won't be too long of a wait.

The open carriage looks nice. Don't think I'll be getting one myself, but glad it turned out nice.

The new CGI Milk Tanker was inevitable, but it does have me (only a little) concerned about the Tidmouth Milk Tanker. Since I grew up with the original show (I turned 34 last week), I'm probably going to buy two more of the Tidmouth variant if they are going to go the way of the dinosaur.

Are the flatbed with oil drums, the Tar Tanker and the China Clay Wagon the final samples? Sure looks like that to me. If they are, they look good and I'll be preordering them once I have the chance. The China Clay wagon even pays homage to the illustration in the Main Line Engines RWS book. Nice.

Troublesome Truck #7. Here we go! MUCH better than TT #6. Will probably get it when it comes out, but hope the paint scheme can be altered SLIGHTLY to differentiate it from the standard 12T single vent van. Maybe a slightly darker shade of gray? It'll be our first Troublesome Truck with a CGI face as well. From Sodor, anyway.

And finally...the retro logo vans. They're interesting, to say the least. Don't know if I'll pick them up (need to see the samples), but the vintage TV show steam cloud logo has piqued my interest.

Narrow gauge:

Even though there wasn't anything announced, I want to commend Bachmann for going that route to get Sir Handel out. All hands on deck for Sir Handel!

N Scale:

LBSC Thomas and Origin James were a brilliant move. This was the perfect time to announce them since Edward couldn't. In terms of it being an anniversary year and the fact that N scale is in a good enough place to where recolors can be an option. I look forward to picking them up.

The red open wagon and Scrap wagon are also decent moves. Hopefully, some track cleaning brake vans using Graham Farish 20T BR model as a guide and the original green coal wagon will follow suit.

Large Scale:

LBSC Thomas was a fine choice. Large Scale isn't my thing, but I'm glad to see it's not 100% DOA

And those are my thoughts. Take them or leave them.