After Stanley, the next new tooling for HO Scale would have to be Nia. Progress has been made on Rebecca, and will likely soon be shown in the unpainted stage. The next Trainworld stream will likely show HO Scale Rebecca unpainted, and/or N Scale Emily fully painted.

With all six of the original Narrow Gauge engines (that appeared in CGI) announced, it's only a matter of time before Mattel HAS to start letting Bachmann make model series characters like Duke in order to expand the range further, with only Victor, Luke and Millie left from the CGI series. They could easily recycle Rheneas' tooling to make Smudger.

Henry is inevitable for N Scale, and is the most likely to be announced in the 2024 catalog, given his commonalities with Gordon. Would be nice to have Edward as well, so as to complete the original Steam Team in N Scale. It may not take too long for Bachmann to get Diesel and Paxton out there, since they'd most likely just scale down the HO Scale tooling to work in N Scale. Diesel's tooling also has potential recolors like Sidney, 'Arry and Bert. It would be nice if Sidney could become the first character in N Scale that doesn't already exist in HO Scale. Other engines that would recycle Gordon's chassis in N Scale would include Spencer and Flying Scotsman. If Edward can't happen just yet, it would be nice if Henry and Spencer could get announced together, considering they'd both share the same chassis, but with Henry not having trailing wheels, and Spencer's trailing wheels being a bit different from Gordon's. Unlike Gordon and Henry, Spencer's body shape is streamlined, and might be an easier shape for Bachmann to make. Spencer would also bring the Special Coaches to N Scale, with hopefully a brake variant, unlike in HO Scale. For now, Henry is still the #1 priority for N Scale.

Well, with the NMRA announcements out of the way, it'll be another several months before we get the 2024 catalog.

With Diesel and Paxton coming to N Scale, that would make Sidney, 'Arry and Bert also possible for N Scale. The former has yet to be announced for HO or Large Scale, while the latter two were discontinued in HO Scale. I'd love for Bachmann to finally make Sidney. If he can't be made in HO Scale because of problems with the eye mechanism, he can still be made in Large Scale and N Scale. They fixed Paxton's eye mechanism for Large Scale, so Sidney shouldn't be a problem for Large Scale, while N Scale is too small for an eye mechanism, so his face would look perfect in N Scale too. If 'Arry and Bert were to be made in N Scale, Bachmann should give them more distinctive and malicious faces, as their faces being too similar is what got their HO Scale models to flop.

The next (partial) new tooling for N Scale has to be Henry, so I'm still hoping he can be in the 2024 catalog. As said many times before, Henry would recycle Gordon's chassis, but without the trailing wheels. Now that we're getting the Express Coaches, for N Scale rolling stock, I'd like to see Red Coaches, Red Open Wagon, Coal Wagon w/ Load, and maybe a generic Brake Van. Other new toolings for N Scale I'd also love to see include Duck and Oliver. The latter because we're getting Toad soon, so I'm also hoping we'll get Oliver at some point. If a new tooling isn't viable in early 2024, maybe we'll get Sidney alongside 'Arry and Bert. Could Sidney become the first character in N Scale that doesn't already exist in HO Scale?

For HO Scale, Bachmann would rather see how well Rebecca sells before tackling Hiro, and with Stanley announced, that's another popular request out of the way. The most possible new toolings could be Whiff or Nia, or recolors like Green Salty or Fernando. Because Fernando's tooling exists, maybe the Brazilian diesel could get his first piece of merchandise. The Works Unit Coach would be a great idea for a new rolling stock tooling.

With Narrow Gauge having a long backlog, with Duncan just being announced, along with the Gunpowder Wagons, I can't imagine the 2024 catalog would get anything for that, but I still hope Mattel would let Bachmann make Smudger using Rheneas' tooling. That way, model series engines can get back into the picture.

What I really don't get is that Mattel allows Bachmann to make model series rolling stock, but not engines, that the CGI mandate ONLY applies to engines, which is what's holding Bachmann back from making Stepney, BoCo, or Duke. It doesn't make sense. Model series rolling stock is okay with Mattel, but engines are not. Even recolors like Smudger, Splatter and Dodge, which had one-off appearances.

I feel that Bachmann announced Stanley because he was a request for many years. He has a unique white livery, played a major role in a special, and the fact that he appeared in both model and CGI. It's been six years since we got Rosie, and only now was Stanley finally announced. Another thing is that Bachmann can easily recycle Thomas' chassis for Stanley; just paint the wheels red. Just the body shell would be completely different. Recycling Thomas' chassis would be the most cost-effective way to get Stanley out there, just like how they used Oliver's wheels for Ryan. For Ryan's case, they added two extra drive wheels, and painted them to match his livery. Would be neat if Stanley had an open cab, but he probably won't if they have to hide the motor there.

So we are indeed getting HO Scale Stanley, plus four 12-ton vans in HO Scale, with one of them being a simple gray one without the wacky colors, and even Bulgy for a non-rail character. I think the most cost-effective way for them to make Stanley would be recycling Thomas' chassis and painting the wheels red. Duncan was also announced for Narrow Gauge, despite there being little to no updates on Sir Handel, along with three Gunpowder Wagons, including the D. Fusit one from Season 4.

N Scale is getting Diesel and Paxton, which ended up being chosen over Henry. I think the reason for this was because of how well they did in Large Scale, and Bachmann already has two tender engines coming, and they'd rather see how well Gordon and Emily sell before doing another tender engine like Henry and Edward. Although Diesel and Paxton were chosen over Henry, they will be the first side characters to join N Scale, with other recolor options like 'Arry and Bert, Sidney, Mainland Diesels, or Fernando possible. With no eye mechanism being an issue, Paxton's face will look a lot better in N Scale than it did in HO Scale. It's also nice that we are indeed getting the Express Coaches to go with Gordon. I was rather hoping for N Scale Henry, but Diesel also had demand, and was too a popular request, complete with a versatile tooling.

With only a few more days left, here's what we might get:

For HO Scale, another new engine tooling, which could be Nia, Stanley, or Whiff, or a recolor like Sidney or Fernando. No idea for rolling stock, but Chocolate Syrup and Toffee Tankers would be appreciated.

For N Scale, Henry, and possibly Express Coaches to go with Gordon. Those are my biggest hopes, especially N Scale Henry.

It may not quite be time for Large Scale modelers to pack it in just yet, but it's really getting there.

Regarding Large Scale, I don't know if Edward is necessarily ruled out just because he was demoted from the main cast, and mistreated by Mattel in recent years. Gordon and Henry would be too big and costly, given their sheer size. At least N Scale is getting Henrietta for Toby. Edward seems much more likely for N Scale than Large Scale, especially once N Scale gets Henry, leaving Edward as the only one left of the original main cast. If Large Scale was to get anymore engines, they could make Bill and Ben, which would require only one new tooling. For recolors, they could still do LBSC Thomas and Origin James, maybe even 'Arry and Bert, although the latter two were discontinued in HO Scale. It may not be time for Large Scale modelers to pack it in just yet, but I feel we could be getting there very soon.

For HO Scale, it really seems like the most likely new tooling would be Stanley, since he appeared in both model and CGI, has a unique white livery, and played a major role in a special. He can even recycle Thomas' chassis, but with the wheels painted red. I still would love to see Diesel 10 as the next larger diesel like Daisy, although the claw raises concern, Doug Blaine himself has never said specifically that Diesel 10 can't happen because of it. After all, Bachmann does make rail cranes, and electric engines with pantographs, but they never tried putting a posable claw on a diesel engine before, which would really make Diesel 10 a first, and an ambitious project. Diesel 10 has been a request for quite some time, and it wasn't until we got Daisy when larger diesels came into the picture. The claw would be the only hard part, but there may be ways to get it to work, even if it may not be perfect.

And if HO Scale can't get a new tooling, there's always recolors, including Sidney and Fernando. Although I mention Green Salty, we still haven't gotten the reintroduced Salty in stock yet. Sidney and Fernando would be repaints of Diesel's tooling, but they would have to fix the eye mechanism for Sidney after Paxton's face came out disproportionate. Splatter and Dodge were dropped from the CGI series twice, and it wasn't until less than a year ago when James Lafiteau (EpicLafiteau on YouTube) finally brought Splatter and Dodge to life in full CGI in "You're a Mean One, Diesel 10" although it's unfortunately not official canon.

With N Scale Gordon fully painted, and Emily soon to be shown fully painted, it is time to announce another N Scale engine, with Henry being the top request and the highest in demand. We may not start getting side characters until we at least get Henry then Edward. For rolling stock, I'd be okay with Express Coaches, Red Coaches, or more faceless open wagons, including the Red Open Wagon, and Coal Wagon w/ Load. The Mail Car would be perfect for Percy. Don't know if we'll get a generic brake van, considering Toad is the first brake van in the range.

Apart from Henry, other characters that can recycle Gordon's chassis include Spencer and Flying Scotsman. For side characters, the favorites are Mavis, Diesel, Oliver and Duck. Mavis would recycle Thomas' chassis like Toby. Since we're getting Toad, Oliver must be planned. Diesel would be the versatile tooling for a lot of potential recolors, including Paxton, Sidney, as well as the discontinued in HO Scale, 'Arry and Bert. Sidney has yet to be announced for HO Scale, but with no concern for an eye mechanism, he'll be much more likely for N Scale once Diesel is on the cards. Sidney or Flying Scotsman might become the first N Scale engine that doesn't already exist in HO Scale. We know Gordon is the first N Scale engine that doesn't exist in Large Scale, due to his sheer size.

For sure, my biggest hope for N Scale is Henry. Would recycle Gordon's chassis minus trailing wheels, and also a very similar tooling with some changes. Also changing the tender from a Fowler to a Stanier. Henry's announcement would leave Edward as the only member of the original main cast left for N Scale, who would most likely be saved for the 2024 catalog at the earliest.

For HO Scale, Daisy's introduction brought larger diesels into the picture. At some point, Mattel would have to start letting Bachmann make model series characters again, like BoCo. The other most popular larger diesel to appear in the CGI series is Diesel 10. The claw on his roof does make everyone scratch their heads, but Bachmann does make rail cranes. Doug Blaine never mentioned anything regarding Diesel 10's likelihood, or said specifically that Diesel 10 is never happening simply because of his claw. He unfortunately did have pessimistic words on Stepney, solely because he never appeared in full CGI. For Diesel 10, they may figure out how to incorporate the claw, and keep it still when in motion, with positions to lock it. He would still fit in Tidmouth Sheds with no problem. The claw would make Diesel 10 the most unique model Bachmann has ever produced. They even considered Diesel 10 at one point.

I have no idea what to expect for HO Scale this NMRA, whether another engine gets announced or not. Progress has been made on Rebecca, and Doug will hopefully get to show the first unpainted sample of her soon. For new toolings, the most likely choices would be Nia, Stanley, or Whiff. They may not be ready for Hiro just yet. Though, Stanley would reuse Thomas' chassis. For recolors, it could be Sidney, Fernando, or Green Salty. Fernando is one from the Big World Big Adventures era, who, like Sidney, would also recycle Diesel's tooling. The only real issue with Sidney (apart from needing a painted border around his face) is his smaller eyes, which Bachmann would need to alter the eye mechanism, given that HO Scale Paxton ended up being disappointing for his disproportionate face. As for rolling stock, the Chocolate Syrup Tanker and the Toffee Tanker still have yet to be announced for HO Scale. A good new tooling for rolling stock would be the Works Unit Coach.

As for another new tooling for HO Scale, I would love to see Norman, but given that he was a nothing character in the CGI series, it's rather head-scratching. Though there are fan-made stories that shed more light on him. He got virtually no merchandise since Mattel took over. One big thing for Norman is that no ready-to-run model of BR 11001 exists, and he would be the first one.

Narrow Gauge still has plenty of catching up to do, and progress has been terribly slow on all upcoming products, including Sir Handel. Doug still has no significant update on him. It took three years to get the brake vans, which is ridiculous.

At last, we finally get to see N Scale Gordon fully painted. Toad was shown in a box, and will hopefully show up in stock by the end of the year if all goes well. Still no update on Sir Handel, and progress has been slow on him. They have the design ready for HO Scale Rebecca, and an unpainted sample may be shown within a few streams. They don't have the painted sample of N Scale Emily just yet, but that might be soon.

With the NMRA announcements coming up later this month, we can only hope N Scale Henry will be one of the announcements. I'm certainly hoping for N Scale Henry.

Just like what they did with Beau, Bachmann can also use existing toolings to make Arthur and Murdoch. Both of which would be from their UK line. Although they wouldn't have eye mechanisms, that would not be a dealbreaker. Beau was the first engine in the Thomas line to use an existing tooling that's not from the Thomas line. Arthur and Murdoch would be great choices that would do the same.

Quote from: Mulfred100 on July 22, 2023, 01:56:59 AM

Quote from: TrainFan97 on July 21, 2023, 02:54:29 PM

Quote from: Mulfred100 on July 21, 2023, 09:18:07 AM

Quote from: TrainFan97 on July 19, 2023, 12:11:49 AMN Scale Gordon was confirmed to finally be shown fully painted next Tuesday. Don't know about N Scale Emily, but we'll see for sure. Would be nice if both N Scale Gordon and Emily were shown fully painted together, but Doug might not have Emily's painted sample just yet.

It's far from "Confrimed"
The post actually says "all will be revealed soon"
You are forgetting that it's Awdry Extravaganza this weekend so it's extremely likely that Christian and all booked guests are extremely busy. Plus the NMRA is out at the back end of next month. Soon could be anytime. There's been no announcements of a stream on Tuesday.

But if the stream is on Tuesday, prepare to eat your words. Maybe N Scale Emily will also be revealed fully painted with Gordon.

Also, I am entirely aware the NMRA is in a month.

Well if you want to be like that then if there isn't a stream same goes for you. I'm just saying let's wait for confirmation before you jump to conclusions. Jumping to conclusions is the quickest way to disappointment. 

Well, I guess you were right. There was no TrainWorld Stream tonight. When I said to "eat your words" I knew that you were naturally going to retort back at me. Turns out it's me.

Oh, the indignity!

I've been seeing this suggestion turn up for a very long time now. "Old Shape" Henry may never happen, as that form of Henry was only in Season 1, and wasn't even in The Adventure Begins. Plus, that would require changing the tooling, which Bachmann can't really do. What even is the appeal of old shape Henry anyway? Is it because of being a form of Henry exclusively seen in Season 1?