Quote from: PasqualeCS96 on January 11, 2014, 08:14:23 PM

I must say CGI Oliver likes great from the given picture. If Oliver is made, I actually doubt he will have a CGI face considering what we have seen with Duck, Donald, Douglas, Bill, and Ben who all did have CGI faces in season 12 but were not given to by Bachmann. Same goes for a black footplate on Oliver if Bachman made him since Duck's is black in the show but white on the model. I know we can't see Oliver's face at the moment with this picture but I'll assume it will look like it did back in season 12.

Well again, who knows, it is something I would love to be proven wrong on since I would prefer the model version of the character myself.  Though the white footplates are usually something Bachmann have been pretty good about taking care of when it comes to making models so I am not as concerned over that personally.  The lamp would be a nice addition, I personally wouldn't mind the lamp as I could add a light to the model to flash on when the model runs.  I've done that with extra Thomas, James, Percy, and Toby models I have and the result was very satisfying.

Quote from: PasqualeCS96 on January 15, 2014, 12:47:31 PM
If it is true then Stepney is coming back! Surprised D&D weren't mentioned though.

Pretty sure the titles on the scratch wikia site are fake.  That site is usually filled with speculation from fans.  Don't believe me, look at their Bachmann page:

http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/Bachmann

To add to the Oliver hype, Take n play is also doing Toad now it looks like:

http://service.mattel.com/us/productDetail.aspx?prodno=BCW91&siteid=27

It looks like they're bringing back as many older characters as they are making new ones.  Hopefully we will see how Oliver and Toad will turn out by full appearance by the time season 18 airs.  Does anyone know exactly when we should expect episodes by?

I had a feeling someone would post something like this once Oliver was revealed into CGI, so here are my thoughts.  



If Oliver were to be announced this year I think his recent return may not have as much of an effect on whether or not a model of him will be made or not.  He was already the most probable addition to join the range next, as speculated by most fans.  Some argued that appearance could be a factor with why Oliver won't happen, but it looks like the joke is on them on that one.  However, on a much more serious note I don't think it plays as much of a role, I think if the character has the right demand and potential they'd happen for that very reason.  I still have no doubt we will see him and Toad sooner or later in the range at this point.  

Now if someone like Stepney, who gets occasional demand but hasn't had a major role since the fifth season were to return in the CGI series, then I would say Stepney's chances have skyrocketed.  

There is one more thing I would like to put on the table speaking of their return.  If they do announce Oliver and Toad, I think that we will see them made based off their CGI form.  As much as I prefer the model forms of both of these characters, I have a feeling that we will see them appear as they would in their new current form in the show.  Personally I don't think it's a bad thing, since the only flaws I'd have with that would be the black footplate on Oliver and the new faces.  

However, I wouldn't give up on them just yet, perhaps production has already started on these two (if they really are happening), and maybe we will have them out by the end of this year in their classic form.  Who knows.  Either way, whether they happen or not, I would honestly be grateful just to have models of these characters in the first place since Bachmann goes through a lot to make these models for us which I think admirable enough for Bachmann as a business for listening to their fanbase on numerous occasions, as indicated by previous announcements. 

After seeing the new trailer I changed my thoughts on who is coming out soon slightly. 

If I could see anyone returning anytime soon, I can see the following (not all in one season):

Terence - I whole heartedly agree on Terence making a comeback.  I can see him being one of those old nostalgic characters who comes out of nowhere to make older fans happy, much like Duck was.

Trevor - They have his CGI model finished but haven't really given him a proper role, besides the brief cameo in season 15 and the intro on the show. 

Donald and Douglas - They brought Duck, Bill, Ben, and now Oliver back onto the show.  These two are bound to show up sooner or later.

Duncan - I can see the show going on without Freddie, Mighty Mac, and even Duke but they really can't keep doing narrow gauge without Duncan since he is very iconic to the NG railway.  Plus mentioning him in Don't Bother Victor like he was there was a tease.    I'm almost positive he'll make a comeback at some point. 

Stepney - Okay guys you got me on this one.   His model was sent from Drayton manor along with Harvey, plus his recent TNP model shows a new face almost feels like another inevitable return we will see in the show soon.  Especially with all of the other classic returns we've witnessed recently.

Murdoch - Murdoch remained fairly iconic in the season 7 era and made a few brief appearances throughout the model era following that.  I'd be interested in seeing how that would turn out.

Arthur - Somewhere along the same lines as Murdoch.  The only difference is that Arthur has made more appearances and roles than Murdoch has, along with being one of the few characters from season 7 to have some kind of development. 

The trailer was very interesting.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the special itself will turn out. 

I guess it's hard to avoid the elephant in the room but yes it does in fact look like Oliver will return (And most likely Toad).  Which is great, but I'm slightly disappointed that we got him before the Scottish twins.  Either way I'm interested to see how his role will play out in the show!  Hopefully Scottish twins will be next two return to the show soon. 

Quote from: PasqualeCS96 on January 08, 2014, 05:13:08 PM
For HO:





A LS Edward and perhaps Henrietta to go along with Toby seems possible to me.

Just these five alone would make a perfect lineup this year for me!  No more or less then that.

Quote from: JD417 on January 08, 2014, 07:10:25 AM

And this here, I'm very happy to know about, and share with you guys, is that The Bach-man reads EVERY post here on the forms, and puts the information we give, such as the next engine we want to see in a range, or like if something doesn't work properly, he puts into consideration to produce or fix. So every time someone puts Oliver, and BoCo or Rosie, and Whiff, that adds up to see if it would be worth it to make.

And on about what they do for the HO range now, They said they want to produce at least one engine and a rolling stock piece a year, I put in that Toad and Oliver would be perfect, seeing as we have our other Great western, and I also mentioned the Bolster wagons.

That does sound about right. I also think that hit entertainment also plays a role in deciding what Bachmann should produce and make as well as the manufacturing companies in China that actually produce the models.  So it's clear that the suggestions on the forum have not been ignored, and will hopefully continue to do so, with the hype for Oliver and Toad.

Quote from: JD417 on January 08, 2014, 10:24:14 AM
Oh, and the first guy I talked to said he had someone "Basically yelling at me to make Rosie.." I put in that unless she would get her voice back, that she probably wouldn't do well in a realistic market

I could not agree more.  Personally, I do not think a model of her would be that good of a seller just because she isn't too popular with the older fan base (who usually collect the models) and her lack of roles and screen time.  I think engines like Oliver, Arthur, Hiro, or even Paxton would be much better sellers than Rosie.

As far as Arry and Bert's release date goes, I am not entirely convinced that they will be out in the spring due to previous experiences of models being held back due to production.  I am sure though, at the very latest, we will see photos of them (and the other products) in the 2014 catalog. 

They'll be announced around the time of the Toy Fair, or at least when the 2014 catalog is viewable online.

Just because Take-n-Play is doing Stepney doesn't automatically mean that he is going to return.  We barely know anything about this new season as it is.  Not saying it's impossible, but I wouldn't count my eggs until they hatch on this one.  Especially since that range is doing a lot of random additions as it is like Class 40 and the Big City Engine.  

Links for both:
http://www.abgee.co.uk/productv3.aspx?ProdCode=900%20BCW99

http://www.abgee.co.uk/productv3.aspx?ProdCode=900%20BCW98

I'm finding them producing a dining car to be unlikely, but I have to admit I think that if anything could potentially make a comeback anytime soon would be Gordon's express coaches. 

Well guys this is it, 2014.  I feel somewhat optimistic for this year, given that last year didn't feel like such a strong year for Bachmann.  While the announcements themselves generally received mixed to negative responses, most of the newly announced products did not make it to the shelves or have photos taken which is disappointing on its own too.  That being said, manufacturing and production for new products for the Thomas line I imagine can be more and more challenging as the years go by.  The fact that Bachmann is managing to work on a variety of products as it is, plus new ones for this years announcements really shows that they're trying, which is certainly better than not making any new additions at all.

When all is said and done, this is a year we have been waiting for.  With the announcements being a month and a half away we can only hope for the best.

So seeing as how the idea of train sets became popular in the everything Thomas thread I figured I'd post ideas behind what I think could work for new train sets.  I'm not expecting all of these to happen in the near future, but I feel like it's fun sharing the idea seeing as how train sets usually are not announced all that often. 
What I see happening:
Speed-activated sound Thomas set

If The speed-activated sound Thomas model itself proves to be popular, I don't see why Bachmann wouldn't make a set dedicated to it.  I imagine it would just include the speed-activated sound Thomas with Annie and Clarabel with an oval of track, no more or less then that.
Oliver freight set

All right, I'm sort of stretching on this one (pun intended with the pic), just because there is no Oliver model announced yet.  However, if a model were to be announced I could see it having serious potential for it's own train set.  It would include Oliver, SC Ruffey, two other various troublesome trucks (maybe 3 and 4), Toad, and an oval of track.  With SC Ruffey, and another inevitable addition Toad being strongly associated with Oliver, Bachmann could easily get away with making their own train set for him. 
Percy and James sets


I mentioned this earlier in the everything Thomas thread today, but I would hope that Bachmann could either make new sets for these two, or bring back their older ones and discontinue some of their previous sets like the Salty set or Thomas freight set just because Percy and James are big name characters and I think they deserve to have their own sets again in the HO line.  Especially since the Percy set is still available in the large scale line. 
Henry and the Flying Kipper Set

This is definitely wishful thinking on my part, but at the same time if Bachmann were to go the extra step beyond for this set I think it would be a very popular seller due to the flying kipper being popular amongst older fans.  Plus the flying kipper itself is making more appearances in the CGI series so it could be popular amongst younger fans too.  It would include Henry, a repainted mail car (BR blue to match CGI series), repainted ice cream wagon (grey), repainted ventilated van (brown), and hopefully a repainted brake van (black).  I can promise anyone that if the set were to include exclusive rolling stock, with it being simple repaints to look like vans from the flying kipper, that this will be a very popular set! 

That Toby model is just reminding me of how awesome it would be to have a garden railroad of my own.  I know I've said this once, but the Toby model looks great!  Definitely one of the best models in the large scale line.  Hopefully we'll see Henrietta in the near future for Toby.  Wholesaletrains.com should also have him for less than 200 dollars if anyone would like to order one as he was due to come in just yesterday.

Last I checked, the large scale Toby is due at some point before Christmas, so it shouldn't be too much longer now.  Towerhobbies says Mid-December and wholesaletrains says the 20th of December.  So just about barely making it before Christmas according to those two.  I wouldn't be too worried about Toby, or the rolling stock for that matter since they've been on display in public shows along with large scale products generally making it on time before the holidays.

HO on the other hand I'm more concerned about as all of the products (apart from the Christmas set) are all due to come out at some point next year.  This really does surprise me as based on said designs of models (apart from the unknown Troublesome Truck #4 design), all seem relatively simple for Bachmann to make.  It's especially questioning when there are no photos of any of the new products this year either.  

Quote from: seanrail on November 27, 2013, 03:42:25 AM
What about Oliver and Toad?

Quote from: Chaz on November 27, 2013, 01:04:21 AM

Donald and Douglas - Seeing as how Duck and Bill and Ben are in the show, I feel these two are almost inevitable if they want to bring back more engines from the classic era.  Other ones I'd feel are out of the question just due to a larger lack of recent appearances (like BoCo) or even if one like Oliver because it wouldn't make sense to avoid the Scottish twins 9 and 10, yet jump right into 11.