Quote from: N Scale Sudrian on October 13, 2024, 09:54:46 PMI think that in the case of Duke, even if he would lack cross-pollination appeal with the OO9 kitbashing crowd, he does at least double as Bertram to help justify the cost of his tooling... It may also be that in whatever far-flung future year a Duke announcement finally happens (likely further off now that Duncan's been kicked down the road), the Kato/PECO George Englands could be discontinued and harder to acquire compared to an upcoming Thomas equivalent.

I had the same thought but the only difference between say Victor is that Duke is bigger. Not too much bigger but big enough that only one repaint may still not be worth the production cost depending on how much diecast they want to use. It's entirely up to the Kato/PECO tooling being harder to acquire which may happen by the time these are announced, but that's impossible to predict. Those are also popular sellers. Better to assume they'll be at play for the foreseeable future than speculate on a what if. If they are discontinued though then we can speculate from there.

Hello Everyone, kept trying to post this to the forum but the picture wouldn't load for some reason. Anyway, Here are some concepts for some possible future HO human figure packs!

Instagram Link -https://www.instagram.com/p/DAT7gxKvMx8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Here's the picture in case it loads somehow on y'alls end.
You cannot view this attachment.

I really like those figure pack ideas; however I do have one single thought, and it's something that's been nagging at me for a while.

The prospects of Wilbert specifically getting a figure. I think it'd be a really cute announcement, but I know Mattel themselves had to get special permission from the Awdry family to make him in CGI. So, I'm not sure the logistics of any company really, whether it be Tomy or Bachmann or any other licensor making merch of him, how would they negotiate for that? Would it be too tricky to be worth pursuing? I don't really have an answer, I also have no idea if the same applies to Teddy Boston either. I don't really have a sure-fire answer for this, but I wouldn't be shocked if they were simply off limits.

Those figure packs are great. I would also just like a figure pack containing Jeremiah Jobling.

Quote from: DustyMarie53! on October 16, 2024, 10:54:25 AMI really like those figure pack ideas; however I do have one single thought, and it's something that's been nagging at me for a while.

The prospects of Wilbert specifically getting a figure. I think it'd be a really cute announcement, but I know Mattel themselves had to get special permission from the Awdry family to make him in CGI. So, I'm not sure the logistics of any company really, whether it be Tomy or Bachmann or any other licensor making merch of him, how would they negotiate for that? Would it be too tricky to be worth pursuing? I don't really have an answer, I also have no idea if the same applies to Teddy Boston either. I don't really have a sure-fire answer for this, but I wouldn't be shocked if they were simply off limits.

One figure that I know they're not making is the queen .
Look an Awdry  figure is something that would be super novel . but I honestly would not be surprised if licenser were not allowed to make merch of him . This might be bigger than the CGI mandate in a lot of ways .

Anyway I really think next year we don't need another variant of James . 

as many figure packs as possible please.

Hey everyone! Thought I would throw out my wishlist for 2025. Regarding engines, as much as I dislike the avoidance of model-era exclusive characters, I'm gonna keep this list focused on CGI engines.


HO ENGINES

Hiro - Out of all the characters that Bachmann is able to do, Hiro would be the one that I would get most excited for. He was a prominent character in the show, and would be a great step in adding characters from other countries to the line. Tbh, I'm surprised Hiro wasn't selected before Rebecca, as I feel he would have a higher chance in sales being a more popular character. I want to strongly state that even if Rebacca sells well enough, Hiro should get the greenlight, as I feel he would perform better on the market.

Stephen - This is another character that was prominent in the show for many seasons, is popular with fans, and one that I would be excited to purchase. He's a much older looking engine, so I think this could help him stand out in the line. Announcing Stephen would also help increase sales for the open carriage, and those would go perfectly with him.

Diesel 10 - Would honestly be a holy grail item for any Thomas fan. Perhaps a complicated model to make, but one that I would love to see since height isn't a factor.
 

HO ROLLING STOCK

Judy and Gerome - Having some cranes for the line would be a welcome addition. You also get two characters from one design, so this would be economical. Judy and Gerome go great with any of the characters in the line, especially Daisy, Ryan, Thomas, and James. I also love any rolling stock with a face, adds so much personality.

Works Unit Coach - This would go great on its own and with Judy and Gerome. Plus, as has been mentioned by others, there are different livery options available.

20 Ton Brakevan/Bradford the Brakevan - Seeing this brakevan was announced for n-scale, I would love to see it in HO as well. It could also be used as a repaint for Bradford. Once again, I love a face on rolling stock.

Troublesome Truck 7 - Pretty simple, just a TT using the 12 ton van. I would prefer if it was based on a truck from the model series.


ROAD VEHICLES

Trevor - For the 80th anniversary, I think this is actually my most wanted item. People have been asking for Trevor for years, and he'd go great with either of the farmer figure packs. He also goes great with many rail and road characters already in the line.

Skiff - Kind of a random one, but I think this could be cool. Could be designed so Skiff is separate and has a "truck" he can be placed on for the rails. Don't know if there's interest for this, but thought I'd throw it out there.


At the moment, I'd suggest waiting until 2026 to announce any new narrow gauge engines in light of the Duncan situation. However, I wouldn't mind seeing Luke or Victor in the line. Aside from his cab, Luke is pretty close to his basis and Victor has a yellow repaint option that I would be interested in buying in addition to his regular livery. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing a repaint of the red coaches to look more like they did in the model series.

I don't collect either of the other scales, so that's all I have for the time being. Would love to hear any thoughts!

Mattel just needs to make exceptions for the stupid CGI only mandate.

Quote from: MontagueGWR08 on October 22, 2024, 01:17:30 PMWould love to hear any thoughts!

Some wonderful suggestions, MontagueGWR. I was thinking of posting my own list, but you basically hit everything I would want aside from two. I think Hector could be a nice addition, even if he is larger than the average wagon. I would also like to see Bulstrode, since we have a real lack of ships to interact with Cranky. Other than that, an excellent list that holds potential.

Okay so something we could get is more DCC engines as the chip shortage is over .

Gordon Henry James Toby and Edward are the 5 that are DCC ready in the UK.

I do think it's about time we got a breakdown train in the line . Rocky would be way to pricy Bachmann sells his basis for a lot of money .

Judy and Jerome would be a safer option as they are smaller and considering Bachmann sells a breakdown train similar to them for around $87 which is not outrageous for a piece of stock in this day and age . I think that they could be introduced into the lineup . A faceless variant could also happen. And probably could be a really good seller for older fans .

Quote from: Awesometrain77 on October 26, 2024, 12:12:22 PMOkay so something we could get is more DCC engines as the chip shortage is over .

Gordon Henry James Toby and Edward are the 5 that are DCC ready in the UK.

I do think it's about time we got a breakdown train in the line . Rocky would be way to pricy Bachmann sells his basis for a lot of money .

Judy and Jerome would be a safer option as they are smaller and considering Bachmann sells a breakdown train similar to them for around $87 which is not outrageous for a piece of stock in this day and age . I think that they could be introduced into the lineup . A faceless variant could also happen. And probably could be a really good seller for older fans .

I stopped buying engines when DCC ready models became available, with the hope that I could expand my collection with those; but nothing seemed to happen for the last 3/4 years - so DCC engines gets a big yes from me.

Also the Breakdown Train, in fact anything from the early model years is something I'm certainly interested in (Old Coaches, Trevor, Works Unit)

My question for future releases: is the CGI mandate only applied to the locomotives and not rolling stock and/or road vehicles? If so, and just going off of some examples of the ones that never showed up in the CGI series EVER, yet Bachmann still made anyways-like Jeremy, the Spiteful Brakevan, Troublesome Truck #5 w/ one of the model era faces, Toby's Museum Coaches, the Funfair Vans, etc.-then perhaps they can make more rolling stock like Hector, a bogie hopper wagon that I could see having some appeal.

IF that doesn't pan out, just like how the above comments mentioned the likes of Judy and Jerome, and just in the off-chance they'll consider doing even some minor rolling-stock characters like the Spiteful Brakevan, perhaps we can see the Slip Coaches too as another alternative option since the only thing that needs changing are the faces and they can pair up with Duck too!

Quote from: Luke22 on October 26, 2024, 07:10:18 PMMy question for future releases: is the CGI mandate only applied to the locomotives and not rolling stock and/or road vehicles? If so, and just going off of some examples of the ones that never showed up in the CGI series EVER, yet Bachmann still made anyways-like Jeremy, the Spiteful Brakevan, Troublesome Truck #5 w/ one of the model era faces, Toby's Museum Coaches, the Funfair Vans, etc.-then perhaps they can make more rolling stock like Hector, a bogie hopper wagon that I could see having some appeal.

We don't actually know how rolling stock factors in just yet. My current theory is there's no issue as long as it doesn't require a new mold. Stuff like the fun fair wagons for example are being made alongside cgi designs so it's ok. However, the D Fusit van may disprove this. it's basis is actually different from the two in CGI that are also being made. I'm going to be curious if they go the extra mile and make both designs or not. Bachmann clearly loves realism with that one. The high side gondolas have outside axle boxes like their basis for the inside CGI axle boxes.

If they do do a classic breakdown train it will probably be a faceless Judy/Jerome expect no modifications . With that being said, I do think it's a good idea.
Instead of a gold Thomas variant what about streamlined Thomas Annie and Clarabel
They already have the chassis for it and I definitely think it could be a really good seller . They could modify the tooling for a turbo Thomas as well.

In Blue Mountain Mystery, the open Tallylyn Coaches appear. I think these could be a good suggestion for the narrow-gauge line to add coach variety. Assuming I'm correct regarding the gunpowder wagons (as in D. Fusit being a recolor of the cgi model) they could use this as a base and recolor it into the green and cream ones from the model series. Can also be added to the general Tallylyn line as well with the TR numbers. .