I have no idea what's taking over 2 1/2 years just for them to have an unpainted sample of Sir Handel, but they already got Stanley in the unpainted stage in less than a year since he was announced. Maybe he was much easier to make.
If any new Narrow Gauge products get announced, they'd have to be made from existing toolings, like Narrow Gauge Brown and Gray Brake Vans and Box Vans. Bachmann can easily make those since the tooling for that already exists. Nothing is holding them back for those.
It's not likely that N Scale Edward or Henry will get announced this NMRA, considering we haven't heard any updates on N Scale Diesel yet, but they're much more likely to get announced for the 2025 catalog. If any N Scale rolling stock gets announced, they could be Red Express Coaches, or the regular Red Coaches, along with non-troublesome open wagons in blue, red, and green with a coal load. Let's not forget some generic 20-Ton Brake Vans in dark gray, light gray, or brown. Any of these could be possible. A Christmas N Scale Thomas set is also possible.
HO Scale is anyone's guess for what comes next. A repaint like Sidney (but with an altered eye mechanism), along with new toolings like Nia or Whiff. Doug Blaine still hasn't acknowledged whether or not Harvey or Diesel 10 are possible because of their attachments. The latter three mentioned characters are the only ones left who appeared in both model and CGI. If Rebecca sells well, Hiro can be considered. As for rolling stock, the best new tooling would be the Works Unit Coach; in green, orange and blue. The Chocolate Syrup and Toffee Tankers are still exclusive to Large Scale. Some good choices for repaints include the Italian Blue Coaches, Gordon's Special Coaches, and Troublesome Truck #7 being made from a 12-Ton Van.
If any new Narrow Gauge products get announced, they'd have to be made from existing toolings, like Narrow Gauge Brown and Gray Brake Vans and Box Vans. Bachmann can easily make those since the tooling for that already exists. Nothing is holding them back for those.
It's not likely that N Scale Edward or Henry will get announced this NMRA, considering we haven't heard any updates on N Scale Diesel yet, but they're much more likely to get announced for the 2025 catalog. If any N Scale rolling stock gets announced, they could be Red Express Coaches, or the regular Red Coaches, along with non-troublesome open wagons in blue, red, and green with a coal load. Let's not forget some generic 20-Ton Brake Vans in dark gray, light gray, or brown. Any of these could be possible. A Christmas N Scale Thomas set is also possible.
HO Scale is anyone's guess for what comes next. A repaint like Sidney (but with an altered eye mechanism), along with new toolings like Nia or Whiff. Doug Blaine still hasn't acknowledged whether or not Harvey or Diesel 10 are possible because of their attachments. The latter three mentioned characters are the only ones left who appeared in both model and CGI. If Rebecca sells well, Hiro can be considered. As for rolling stock, the best new tooling would be the Works Unit Coach; in green, orange and blue. The Chocolate Syrup and Toffee Tankers are still exclusive to Large Scale. Some good choices for repaints include the Italian Blue Coaches, Gordon's Special Coaches, and Troublesome Truck #7 being made from a 12-Ton Van.