As I have stated in the Everything Thomas topic, if they are willing to make the obscure Mainland Diesels, then maybe at some point in the future, if the CGI Mandate gets lifted, they would be willing to also make Splatter and Dodge. As I have said before they already have the correct chassis and body shell. ('Arry and Bert) Given that Splatter and Dodge always appear onscreen with identical faces to each other, all Bachmann would have to do would be design a single face mold that both models could use. And given that Splatter and Dodge have more characterization than the Mainland Diesels, and the fact that on a lot of these Thomas Tuesday livestreams show that modelers often make custom Splatters and Dodges, I think Splatter and Dodge would sell quite well. This could also be presented to Mattel as an incentive for lifting the CGI Mandate. And given that a lot of people are asking for Diesel 10, it would be fitting for Splatter and Dodge to be made as well.

I addition, I hope they will have the ability to upscale their new N Scale rolling stock into larger scales. It would be cool to get the LMS Brakevan and Hannah in HO/OO Scale.

Lovely announcements! I hope they are not discontinuing anything though...

I love that when they are reintroducing the TAR Tanker, they are giving it updated details, so they are different from the original TAR Tankers. I am also glad that we are finally getting the diesel barrel flatbed.

I hope they would be willing to upscale the new N Scale rolling stock for bigger gauges.

I am glad Sidney is finally being made!

If they are willing to make the obscure Mainland Diesels, then maybe at some point in the future, if the CGI Mandate gets lifted, they would be willing to also make Splatter and Dodge. As I have said before they already have the correct chassis and body shell. ('Arry and Bert) Given that Splatter and Dodge always appear onscreen with identical faces to each other, all Bachmann would have to do would be design a single face mold that both models could use. And given that Splatter and Dodge have more characterization than the Mainland Diesels, and the fact that on a lot of these Thomas Tuesday livestreams show that modelers often make custom Splatters and Dodges, I think Splatter and Dodge would sell quite well. This could also be presented to Mattel as an incentive for lifting the CGI Mandate. And given that a lot of people are asking for Diesel 10, it would be fitting for Splatter and Dodge to be made as well.

And another thing that I like from the non-Thomas announcements is the Two-Stall Steam Era Engine House. It looks like a building a lot of Thomas Modelers would like. I hope it is compatible with the Thomas Range.

Quote from: RailsByRick on July 16, 2024, 03:47:53 PMIt was said on Bachmann's New Model Monday stream the other week that if the fans have any suggestions for future models, they can email them to Bachmann directly.

I've sent an email last week, and in said email I expressed a want for an HO Scale Harvey and/or Diesel 10 from the fans.

They said on the stream that the more requests there are for a model, the more likely they are to produce it. So, if anyone else would like to add Harvey and/or Diesel 10 to their collection, then I'd highly recommend sending them an email.

Maybe we can also mention that Bachmann UK have the model basis for Arthur, Murdoch, and Class 40 in OO/HO scale and Derek in N Scale. Given that they released Beau due to them having his basis available, maybe they could consider working with Bachmann UK to bring out those characters, including Derek upscaled to HO/OO. Given that they have the model basis,' they at least have a STARTING POINT to make these characters, and they could then modify and adjust them to better resemble the TV Series characters. They are quite popular characters, and given that Hornby Murdoch go for insane amounts of money on eBay when they do show up there, I think it would be a good idea for Bachmann to try and cash in on that factor by releasing their own Murdoch.

In addition, we could suggest using the 'Arry and Bert models to make Splatter and Dodge, especially if there is a market for Diesel 10. Throughout their appearances in Thomas and the Magic Railroad, they are always seen having identical faces to one another. All Bachmann would have to do is design one face that is usable by both characters, and then recolor the already existing 'Arry/Bert models to make Splatter and Dodge. It seems like it would be an easy and cheap to make these characters, and could be especially good if Bachmann needs to release some new characters quickly and easily. Especially if Diesel 10 is being requested.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on August 03, 2024, 08:11:26 PMActually following up on my point. I just came back from the UK. Bunch of kids buying the models, some with their parents, some around the 8-12 range, bunch of adults, bunch of fans. Really shows the variety of the hobby.

But that's not my main point. Actually, I'm leading into a suggestion. The UK line is kind of....bad. They have all the other scales. But the HO line is not great.

Only 1-7, only two road vehicles, like half the rolling stock we do. It's not great. And genuinely I think Bachmann is sitting on a goldmine they need to capitalize on by releasing more of those guys over there. It's a separate branch of Bachmann as Doug has said before, so idk if posting here will even get them to look at it. But if anyone knows better avenues to get in contact and shares my sentiment, I'd love to spread the word

That is good idea, I hope Bachmann will expand in the UK more. Especially considering Thomas and Friends are mostly based on trains in the UK, and the Bachmann Thomas line uses a lot of Bachmann Branchline rolling stock models.

I am also hoping that Bachmann USA is also able to do the reverse of this as well: Release versions Bachmann Thomas Models that carry over some features of the UK versions. I am particularly hoping for HO/OO Annie and Clarabel to be released in the US with the correct Black Chassis that the UK versions have, instead of the incorrect gray that the US versions currently have.

They have seemed to have been doing this with some of the Bachmann Engines, giving Thomas, Percy, and James thicker, more sturdier lamp irons and dummy coupling hooks that are colored the correct black instead of gray. I hope that they can also update the lamp irons and dummy coupling hooks on Henry, Gordon, Toby, Endward, and others to be the sturdier version colored in the correct black, and not the incorrect gray.

Gotcha. Thank you Chaz!

Indeed, he looks quite good. Plus, that silver gives an interesting look at how Stanley's silver smokebox will look like.

Is there a prototype of Bachmann Stanley available? If so, where could I find some images of it? I haven't been able to find any.

While the Arthur, Murdoch, Derek, and Class 40 toolings might be too detailed right now, it should be noted that with these toolings, Bachmann does at least have a starting point for making more show-accurate models of these characters. They won't have to make completely new models, and can make some improvements and modifications.

Such as if the Hornby 9F or any of the other models have functionality problems, hopefully Bachmann could address them at the same time as well.

I would like to see these and more added to the Bachmann Parts Store as well!

+1!

Quote from: TrainFan97 on February 06, 2024, 09:43:32 PMFor HO rolling stock that would use existing toolings that were actually in the show, the Italian Blue Coaches can be made using the Red Coach toolings. Stephen's blue coach would require a new tooling. An-An and Yin-Long would be recycled from Annie and Clarabel's tooling, and if they were to be made, it would mean Bachmann would have to make Hong-Mei, who can recycle Rosie's chassis, but with a different siderod configuration. One international engine that would completely recycle an existing tooling is Fernando, but if they were to use Diesel's tooling again, we'd rather have Sidney first.

As questionable as Nia is, it's only a matter of time before Bachmann eventually does make her for HO Scale, given that she is still a main character, even in the reboot. Most would rather have Whiff instead, since he's the last engine to appear in both model and CGI to not feature gimmicks, and that no ready-to-run model of Aerolite exists. Philip would be a great choice for a simple new tooling since he's just a small box, and would be a cheaper model. Norman is certainly an honorable mention for a new tooling since even though he was a nothing character in the show, many fan-made stories shed light on him, and that no ready-to-run model of BR 11001 exists. The new tooling everyone wants most of all is Hiro, especially after Rebecca's announcement brought tender engines back into the picture for HO Scale. Although Hiro would inevitably be the most expensive model, but high prices didn't stop the Narrow Gauge range from selling.

Considering Stanley has no unpainted sample ready yet, I don't see a new HO Scale tooling being announced in the catalog. Rebecca's first painted sample will be shown in the next Thomas Tuesday stream, as it has just been teased. It may not be until summer before we get to see Stanley's unpainted sample. Hope it won't be too long before Bachmann gets an unpainted sample of N Scale Diesel.

Any of these engines could be the next new tooling for HO Scale:
-Nia
-Whiff
-Philip
-Norman
-Hiro
-Hong-Mei (chassis recycled with some modification to siderods; don't really see her happening unless they make An-An and Yin-Long)
-Sonny (has a rather complicated siderod configuration, but could be doable, and no model of his basis exists)
-Porter (has rather problematic scaling)

The best choices for HO Scale recolors are Sidney and Fernando because Mainland Diesels and Green Salty are rather too niche.

I would also like to see these characters, particularly Sonny. As stated above an argument can be made for Whiff, Norman and Sonny that no current regular non-Thomas models of their real-life prototypes:
NER 66 Aerolite for Whiff,
British Rail 11001 for Norman
Haydock Foundry well-tank locomotives like Bellorophon for Sonny.

Thus this could also appeal to non-Thomas Modelers who would wish to convert the Bachmann Thomas engines into their basis.

An additional argument can be made against Mattel's CGI mandate with that in that Norman could easily be recolored into Dennis if Norman ever happens and the CGI mandate is hopefully lifted. Indeed, all it would take would be a potentially recolored Norman mold with a new face. This could also apply to a potential Splatter and Dodge, as all they would need would be a repainted 'Arry and Bert Shell, with one face they could both use, as the two of them are always seen in together wearing identical expressions to the other. This could be an easy way to get new characters out cheaply and quickly, and can be used to potentially demonstrate to Mattel that the CGI Mandate is clogging up potential and easy to make products.

A similar argument can be made for a potential Arthur, Murdoch, Derek, and the Class 40 Diesel, considering that Bachmann already has models of these characters basis in their UK Range:
LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T for Arthur
BR Standard Class 9F for Murdoch
British Rail Class 17 for Derek
British Rail Class 40 for Class 40

Given that Bachmann is making Beau, a rather minor character, out of their already existing tooling, another argument can be made that the CGI mandate is clogging up potential easy to make products that would indeed be popular fan choices.

It regards to Rolling stock, given the Toby's Museum Composite and Brake Coaches were released, I would like to see the Gordon's Special Composite and Brake coaches from Season 10. All they would have to do would be recolor their Current Gordon's Composite and Brake Express Coaches, and they would have easy products, like the Toby's Museum Coaches. I would hope they would release both Composite and Brake versions of the coaches for more variety and thus more product, preferably with the connecting corridor still in so they could look like they could "connect" and integrate seamlessly to Gordon's already existing Express Coaches.

Given that Bachmann made the Toby's Museum Coaches based on SodorRyModeler's photoshopped Red Coaches into Toby's Museum Coaches, maybe someone could photoshop some Gordon's Composite and Brake Coaches into Gordon's Special Composite and Brake Coaches to give Bachmann an inspiration?

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/f/f8/Gordon%27sSpecialCoaches.png/revision/latest?cb=20190121070536

Something else that Bachmann could do with the 'Arry and Bert tooling would be to make Splatter and Dodge out of them.

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

Splatter and Dodge share the same mold as 'Arry and Bert, and have always been seen having the same faces as each other. Therefore, all that would be needed would be recolor the 'Arry and Bert shell and then design one face for both of them to use. They would be easy to make new characters, and they could also be be introduced while the newly tooled projects are being worked on.

If they are doing Beau because they already have the 4-4-0 engine tooling, maybe Bachmann would be willing to consider doing similar with turning some of their Bachmann UK Model toolings into Bachmann Thomas items. I believe Bachmann UK already have them for Arthur's class (LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T), Murdoch's class (BR Standard Class 9F), and Derek's class (British Rail Class 17) already, and there might be more I am not aware of. Considering these characters are quite popular in their own right, there would definitely be a market for them. It would be a great way to get products out on to the market without having to invest too much in designing new toolings, as the basis already exist as a starting point, and could also be a valid argument for lifting the CGI restriction.

Thank you for starting a thread like this. I have several suggestions as well.

Recolors:
Percy-black coal bunker instead of gray
James-fully black wheels
Emily-update her to include her Number 12 on her tender and maybe her water filler cap be colored black instead of green.
Annie and Clarabel-update their US Models to have the more accurate black chassis that their UK models have, instead of the inaccurate dark gray ones we have now. I have a feeling Bachmann is going to do this eventually, given that they are updating their US Thomas Models with UK Details recently. Here's hoping.

I would also like to see HO Thomas, Percy and James get front couplers at some point, although these might be more of a retool.

If the delay is due to updates and improvements on the model, then personally, I am fine with waiting a little longer.

And if they are improving the Salty model, that gives us more incentive to buy the new version, as it will be better than the old version.

Quote from: TrainFan97 on September 02, 2023, 01:10:07 AMHopefully, if this mandate ever ends, Bachmann eventually will give us Stepney, BoCo and Duke. Class 40 is another good choice for a model series character, and another larger diesel, since he was also made by Hornby. Bachmann could do the Beau move and recycle their UK Class 40 tooling, though he wouldn't have moving eyes.

If they do reuse the UK tooling for Class 40 like they did with Beau, and it would be nice if they do, I would hope they also do the same with Arthur and Murdoch as well.  It would make sense, given that they are quite popular characters, as well as taking advantage of Hornby Murdoch's rarity to introduce their own version of Murdoch at a much cheaper price than the $2000 Hornby Murdoch's on Ebay usually go for.

Something that may help in regards to the mandate: Maybe they could market and release a CGI series character and a Model series character side-by-side. That way, they could meet the mandate as well as appeal to the older fans. I don't know if that would be possible, but I at least wanted to get the suggestion out there.

This is why Bachmann is one of my favorite Thomas merchandise ranges. They LISTEN to the Thomas Fans, and treat us with a level of respect that we rarely get. They have disregarded the All Engines GO reboot. They are willing to take fan suggestions, such as the Toby Museum Coaches and this new upcoming Stanley. They team up with Trainworld and Thomas Fans to give us Thomas Tuesdays, which allows Thomas Fans to show their detailed layouts and customizations, to show that Thomas isn't just for kids.

Thank you Bachmann! I am looking forward to Stanley!