Bachmann N scale Thomas and Friends range

[YouraverageSPF]

If anyone's been on the Bachmann forums as of lately, you've might have heard about the new Thomas products that they announce every year at Toy Fair. This year, they're doing things a tad differently by introducing an N scale version of the range. I know that Thomas and Friends isn't meant for the age range that browses this forum, but they could be nice for train shows or those who have kids/grandkids.

https://resources.bachmanntrains.com/Bachmann2019catalog/html5/index.html#

[C855B]

Actually a few of us here keep track of Thomas models, for the very reason you state - crowd pleasers at train shows. I find it interesting that B'mann is now franchised (and Thomas is a specifically-licensed product) for N, that was exclusively Tomix' domain up to this point. It might represent a market shift, my educated fear is it could be regional licensing, with Japanese dealers now barred from selling to US customers. I'm curious how this is going to play out.

[Dave V]

Sadly their Sodor narrow gauge stuff is HOn30 rather than HOn3.  Sounds like @Chris333 might have some kitbashing fodder though!

[YouraverageSPF]

Actually a few of us here keep track of Thomas models, for the very reason you state - crowd pleasers at train shows. I find it interesting that B'mann is now franchised (and Thomas is a specifically-licensed product) for N, that was exclusively Tomix' domain up to this point. It might represent a market shift, my educated fear is it could be regional licensing, with Japanese dealers now barred from selling to US customers. I'm curious how this is going to play out.

Funny you mention Tomix. Some people were theorizing that Bachmann was gonna import the Tomix range into the states, considering that Bachmann has re-used tooling from other companies for their Thomas range. For example, some of the wagons in their narrow gauge range use Peco tooling. However, considering that the catalog listing uses stock images of the HO range and that there isn't a definitive pricing yet, I'm willing to bet that Bachmann's using their own tooling for the range.

[MK]

But will Bachmann DCC Thomas?

[YouraverageSPF]

But will Bachmann DCC Thomas?

The closest we'll ever that was a Bachmann Thomas model that had analog sound. I wouldn't necessarily hold your breath for an N scale DCC Thomas that's also equipped with DCC. It would still make for a decent DIY project, though.

[peteski]

The closest we'll ever that was a Bachmann Thomas model that had analog sound. I wouldn't necessarily hold your breath for an N scale DCC Thomas that's also equipped with DCC. It would still make for a decent DIY project, though.

"The closest we'll ever that was a Bachmann Thomas model that had analog sound."  What does that mean?!  And what is analog sound?  Is that a joke?

Bachmann has been including DCC in all of their locomotives for several years, and I believe that they officially stated that all their future locos will be be "dual mode" DCC equipped.

I also hope that Tomix keeps on producing Thomas sets because I doubt that Bachmann will equal in quality to Tomix.

[Chris333]

Sadly their Sodor narrow gauge stuff is HOn30 rather than HOn3.  Sounds like @Chris333 might have some kitbashing fodder though!

That was like 2 years ago. This:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L5RsC1dywvzAXbhD8
Started out as this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xRdGWgCCZaZQjHsAA

It actually runs pretty good:

/>

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Two new sets include a sound equipped GP40 and 4-6-0. Not that surprising since the GP40 was tooled for sound and the 4-6-0 uses the same tender as the sound equipped 2-8-0. Strange that they didn't release these as separate engines though.

I really need to get a sample of one of the Econami equipped diesels. I haven't used a Sountraxx decoder before and would like to see how they sound and operate against ESU and BLI.

[peteski]

Two new sets include a sound equipped GP40 and 4-6-0.

H0 Thomas & Friends set includes a GP40?! 

[davefoxx]

H0 Thomas & Friends set includes a GP40?! 

No.  Review the catalog in the link above.

DFF

[Englewood]

Thomas has been very good for bringing people into the hobby, especially the youngsters. Good move on Bachmann's part, I wonder what took so long?

[C855B]

... I wonder what took so long?

Licensing. The Thomas franchise is almost as tightly controlled as anything Disney.

[peteski]

No.  Review the catalog in the link above.

DFF

Ain't nobody got time for that!     Especially since this is all H0. 
Speaking of that, Bachmann re-releases H0 aAcela, but they still haven't re-released the N scale one.  What's up with that?! 
Yes I paged through the catalog.  Analog sound  . . . 

[YouraverageSPF]

"The closest we'll ever that was a Bachmann Thomas model that had analog sound."  What does that mean?!  And what is analog sound?  Is that a joke?

This is what I meant. I assume that analog sound comes from the fact that it isn't equipped with DCC.