I'm gonna expect this will just be the same toolings marketed under a new packaging. They might go so far as to change the face toolings, but we can only hope and pray that it isn't based off the new "quirky" faces that have been in the Thomas & Friends style guides handed to manufacturers for the last few years... 

Quote from: JLK2707 on September 03, 2019, 05:05:18 AM
Yeah, but remember it is just whatever Mattel orders them to make.

Considering the Thomas & Friends brand is still losing money as of Mattels second quarter reports a week or so ago, they better think wisely about what "orders" they make, brand-wide and not just Bachmann.

https://news.mattel.com/news/mattel-reports-second-quarter-2019-financial-results

QuoteInfant, Toddler and Preschool category Gross Sales down 13% as reported, and down 11% in constant currency; Fisher-Price® and Thomas & Friends® Gross Sales down 6% as reported, and down 4% in constant currency.

Quote from: DucktheGWREngine08 on September 01, 2019, 01:27:04 PM
Even ghough Stepeney is popular, Mattel won't let Bachmann release a model of Stepney since he is not part of the current seasons, and Ryan would be released next, especially since he works with Daisy on the Harwick branch in the new seasons.

What says that? They released the Spiteful Brakevan not long ago.

I think the point is made.

They would be missing out on a huge opportunity by discontinuing it right as they enter the UK and Japanese markets...

I wouldn't count on a big tender engine like Rebecca being made anytime soon. We'd sooner get Hiro if that option was on the table.

I would say do Stepney first. Stepneys classic design is more market-able and memorable. A CGI design risks alienating the older audience (aka the people with actual money in their wallets) who are the main people who would even care about a character like Stepney. Ryan meanwhile, is a safe gamble that could be produced any time, any year in the new future and would have roughly the same outcome and reception, and only one design to pick from. Stepney is a ticking clock, depending if Mattel decides to bring him back or not.

The CGI redesigns would make them lose their appeal, in my opinion. I'd rather the remaining classics stay classics, at this point.

It should be worth noting as well, that the image Bachmann used for the tanker is...



...The first image for tanker troublesome trucks on the Thomas wiki. In hindsight of this, Bachmann is probably not even aware this is a tanker from Big World: Big Adventures.

The fact that the Hornby Stepney sells for a lot of money on eBay, even in recent months, should be enough of an incentive for Bachmann to consider making him. I mean, they do like money, right?

The face is more than likely going to be based off the BWBA/CGI tanker faces. I'd be very surprised if they went with the Season 4 tanker faces.

Honestly, I hope Daisy has a NEM slot. It'd be a nice modern touch to include into the Thomas range, and it'd help make future additions/engines more compatible with different kinds of HO and OO equipment. To add, thinner hook/loop couplers have a nicer appearance than the chunky hook/loop couplers.

This might be the most bizarre and unexpected news I've woken up to yet. Nonetheless, wow! Daisy is finally coming to the Bachmann range. I don't think I've been this excited for a Bachmann product since Skarloey. Daisy is one of the few characters to benefit and improve in her CGI form over her model form, so this is a model I'm gonna be waiting at the front of the line to get, for sure!

As for Peter Sam, I was iffy on Rusty, but I was excited for Rheneas and Skarloey for sure, so I'll gladly be adding Peter Sam to the collection.

Overall, it's like Christmas in July! I welcome it.

Quote from: Chaz on June 28, 2019, 10:16:20 PM
Have you sent a follow-up email asking if they received the letter from you?  It's possible that the email automatically got sent in their spam folder by mistake.  Especially when the attached document is over 40 pages long.

The main email was answered by Customer Service and was supposedly sent to the production team, but I never heard any sort of follow up beyond that. Either way, I still had fun writing it up and making all the mock-up products.

A few months ago, I wrote a detailed list of suggestions for Bachmann Trains to make in 2020. Sadly, I never received a follow-up email to the letter. I put lot of research into this letter, and figure it'd be fair to share it with people on social media. I even designed and suggested new product ideas, and various designs and details of said product ideas was included in the document. You can read the letter here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVCBnSqbOlkVK1spfOzsEymHQeKNQKYe/view