Bachmann Trains is a model railway company that has made Thomas & Friends models in HO scale since 2002 and G scale since 2009, with models in N scale set to be released in 2020. The range's models are made from special toolings to resemble the characters as depicted in the television series. Nearly all of the locomotives have a special moving-eyes-mechanism that allows the eyes to look back and forth across the tracks while the locomotives are in motion.
The HO models are not available outside of North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, as Hornby holds the OO/HO Thomas license overseas, although the Bachmann models are compatible with the Hornby models by having identical coupling systems. After Hornby had discontinued their Thomas & Friends range in 2018, Bachmann secured the rights to distribute their HO scale products in the UK and Ireland with further availability stated to expand in 2020.
HO Scale
Engines
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas | 2002 | 58741 | Reissued in 2014 and 2018; a Sound-Chipped Thomas was released in 2014, a Celebration Thomas was released in 2015 and a special edition LBSC 70 Thomas was released in 2020 |
| James | 2002 | 58743 | Reissued in 2017; a Busy Bee James was released in 2020 as well as a special edition Black Livery James |
| Percy | 2002 | 58742 | |
| Henry | 2005 | 58745 | |
| Gordon | 2005 | 58744 | |
| Toby | 2006 | 58747 | Reissued in 2019 |
| Spencer | 2006 | 58749 | |
| Emily | 2007 | 58748 | |
| Edward | 2008 |
58746 |
|
| Mavis | 2008 | 58801 | |
| Salty | 2009 | 58804 | Discontinued |
| Bill and Ben | 2010 | 58805 and 58806 | Both released separately |
| Donald and Douglas | 2011 | 58807 and 58808 | Both released separately |
| Diesel | 2011 | 58802 | A Grumpy Diesel was released in 2018 |
| Duck | 2013 | 58810 | |
| 'Arry and Bert | 2014 | 58812 and 58813 | Both released separately: Discontinued |
| Oliver | 2017 | 58815 | |
| Rosie | 2017 | 58816 | Reissued in 2019 with red livery |
| Paxton | 2018 | 58817 | |
| Daisy | 2021 | 58820 |
Rolling Stock
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annie and Clarabel | 2002 | 76044 and 76045 | Both released separately |
| Troublesome Trucks | 2002 |
77046, 77047, 77025, 77020, 77015 and 77401 |
Six models were made; Troublesome Truck #1 and Troublesome Truck #2 were released in 2002, Troublesome Truck #3 released in 2010, Troublesome Truck #4 in 2014, Troublesome Truck #5 in 2016 and Troublesome Truck #6 in 2020 |
| Red Express Coaches | 2005 | 76046 and 76047 | Both were released separately, Discontinued |
| Brake Van | 2005 | 77045 | Later re-used for The Spiteful Brake Van |
| Scruffey | 2005 | 77041 | |
| Blue Open Wagon | 2005 | 77042 | Discontinued |
| Cargo Car | 2005 | 77043 | |
| Milk Tanker | 2005 | 77048 | |
| Tar Tanker | 2005 | 77049 | Discontinued |
| Fuel Tanker | 2005 | 77039 | |
| Fred Pelhay | 2005 | N/A | Cancelled before release |
| Rickety | 2005 | N/A | Cancelled before release |
| Gordon's Express Coaches | 2006 | 76034 and 76035 (formerly 76048 and 76049) | Both released separately; reissued in 2019 |
| Emily's Coaches | 2006 | 76042 and 76043 | Both released separately |
| Oil Tanker | 2006 | 77038 | |
| Red Open Wagon | 2006 | 77037 | |
| Cattle Wagon | 2007 | 77030 | Later re-used for Troublesome Truck #3 |
| 6-Ton Wagon | 2007 | 77036 | Later re-used for Troublesome Truck #4 |
| Salt Wagon | 2007 | 77034 | Later re-used for Troublesome Truck #5 and the Sodor Salt Wagon |
| RF Container Wagon | 2007 | 77035 | Later re-used for the 1 Plank Wagon |
| Well Wagon | 2007 | 77031 | Discontinued |
| Coal Wagon with Load | 2007 | 77029 | |
| Cream Tanker | 2007 | 77032 | |
| Raspberry Syrup Tanker | 2007 | 77033 | |
| Henrietta | 2008 | 77028 | |
| Spencer's Coach | 2008 | 76041 | |
| Mail Coach | 2008 | 76040 | A green version was released in 2015 |
| Flatbed with Paint Drums | 2009 | 77027 | Later re-used for Sodor Logging Company Flat Wagon with Logs |
| Ventilated Van | 2009 | 77026 | |
| Ice Cream Van | 2012 | 77021 | Discontinued |
| Red Coaches | 2015 | 76038 and 76039 | Both released sold separately |
| Toad | 2016 | 77019 | |
| Sodor Salt Wagon | 2016 | 77014 | |
| GWR Cattle Wagon | 2016 | 77016 | |
| Live Lobster Refrigerator van | 2016 | 77017 | |
| Ventilated Van - Great Western | 2017 | 77011 | |
| Ventilated Van - Sodor Fruit & Vegetable Co. | 2017 | 77012 | |
| The Spiteful Brake Van | 2019 | 77010 | |
| Water Tanker | 2019 | 77009 | |
| Sodor Diesel Co. Tanker | 2019 | 77008 | |
| McColl's Cattle Wagon | 2017/2018 | N/A | Cancelled before release |
| Mining Wagon with Load - Blue | 2019 | 77001 | |
| Sodor Coal Co. Wagon with Load | 2019 | 77002 | |
| Sodor Scrap Co. Wagon | 2019 | 77003 | |
| Sodor Logging Company Flat Wagon with Logs | 2019 | 77004 | |
| 1 Plank Wagon with Brendam Cargo and Freight crate | 2020 | 77402 | |
| 1 Plank Wagon with Brendam Bay Shipping Co. crate | 2020 | 77403 | |
| 1 Plank Wagon with Sodor Steamworks crate | 2020 | 77404 |
Narrow Gauge
The narrow-gauge line is still in HO scale but runs on N gauge track. This is commonly known as "HOe" or "HOn30".
Engines
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skarloey | 2015 | 58601 | |
| Rheneas | 2017 | 58602 | |
| Rusty | 2019 | 58603 | |
| Peter Sam | 2021 | 58604 |
Rolling Stock
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Wagon | 2015 | 77201 | |
| Blue Box Van | 2015 | 77202 | |
| Red Box Van | 2015 | 77203 | |
| Slate Wagon with Load | 2017 | 77301 | |
| Slate Wagon with Load #101 | 2017 | 77302 | |
| Slate Wagon with Load #164 | 2017 | 77303 | |
| Red Carriage | 2019 | 77204 | |
| Blue Carriage | 2019 | 77205 | |
| Blue Brake Van | 2020 | 77206 | |
| Red Brake Van | 2020 | 77207 |
Non-Rail Vehicles
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bertie | 2002 | 42442 | |
| Harold | 2002 | 42441 | |
| Cranky | 2002 | 42444 | |
| Terence | 2009 | 42447 | |
| Jeremy | 2014 | 42440 |
Scenery
Sodor Scenery
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal Gantry | 2007 | 45235 |
Included in a two-pack Discontinued |
| Water Tower | 2007 | 45232 | Discontinued |
| Coal Hopper | 2007 | 45233 | Discontinued: Rereleased in 2020 in a set |
| Pedestrian Bridge | 2007 | 45234 | Discontinued |
| Sodor Junction Station | 2007 | 45231 | Discontinued |
| Switch Tower | 2009 | 45237 | |
| Tidmouth Sheds | 2010 | 45236 | Discontinued |
| Tidmouth Sheds Expansion Pack | 2010 | 45238 | |
| Sodor Lighthouse | 2011 | 45240 | |
| Knapford Station Building Kit | 2011 | 45239 | Discontinued |
| Motorised Windmill | 2011 | 45241 | |
| Round Water Tower | 2016 | 45242 | |
| Square Water Tower | 2016 | 45243 |
Resin Scenery
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maithwaite Station | 2014 | 35901 |
Discontinued |
| Black Loch Folly | 2014 | 35902 |
Discontinued |
| Signal Box | 2014 | 35903 |
Discontinued |
| Brendam Warehouse | 2014 | 35904 | |
| Engine Shed | 2015 | 35905 | |
| Trackside Station | 2015 | 35906 | |
| Corrugated Hut | 2015 | 35907 | |
| Storage Shed | 2015 | 35908 |
Sets
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas with Annie and Clarabel Set | 2002 | 00642 |
Includes Thomas, Annie, Clarabel and a Circle of EZ Track |
| Percy the Small Engine Set | 2002 | 00643 | Includes Percy, Troublesome Truck #1, Troublesome Truck #2 and a Circle of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| James the Red Engine Freight Set | 2005 | 00656 | Includes James, Blue Open Wagon, Fuel Tanker, Brake Van and a Circle of EZ Track; was intended on being released in 2002, but was pushed back; Discontinued |
| Gordon's Express Set | 2006 | 00668 | Includes Gordon, his Express Coaches and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Emily's Passenger Set | 2007 | 00684 | Includes Emily, her Coaches and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Deluxe Thomas and Friends Special Set (Fomerly Deluxe Thomas with Annie & Clarabel) | 2005 | 00644 | Includes Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, Bertie, Harold, Sir Topham Hatt and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Thomas' Fun with Freight Set | 2008 | 00683 | Includes Thomas, S.C. Ruffey, Red Open Wagon, Cream Tanker, Cattle Van, Conductor and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Thomas' Holiday Special Set | 2008 | 00682 | Includes Thomas with Removable Santa Hat and Removable Snowplough, Coach with Christmas Decorations, Truck with Christmas Tree, Candy Cane Tanker and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Salty's Dockside Delivery Set | 2010 | 00696 | Includes Salty, 6-Ton Wagon, Raspberry Syrup Tanker, Salt Wagon, Exclusive Guard and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Thomas' Christmas Express Set | 2013 | 00721 | Includes Thomas with Removable Santa Hat and Removable Snowplough, Truck with Christmas Tree, Flat Wagon with Load, Red and Green Christmas Van and an Oval of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Whistle & Chuff Thomas! | 2015 | 00739 | Includes Sound-Chipped Thomas, Troublesome Truck #1, Troublesome Truck #2 and a Circle of EZ Track; Discontinued |
| Thomas' Christmas Delivery | 2019 | 00755 | Includes Thomas with Removable Santa Hat and Removable Snowplough, Flat Wagon with Presents, Christmas Brake Van and an Oval of EZ Track |
Accessories
- Hook-and-Loop Couplers
- Track Play-Tape (Rail, Road and Sound-Fitted Variations)
G Scale
Engines
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas | 2009 | 91401 | A DCC Sound Thomas was released in 2016 |
| Percy | 2009 | 91402 | A DCC Sound Percy was released in 2016 |
| James | 2010 | 91403 | |
| Emily | 2012 | 91404 | |
| Toby | 2013 | 91405 | |
| Winston | 2017 | 91406 | |
| Diesel | 2021 | 91407 | Previously Cancelled; Reannounced in 2020 Catalog |
Rolling Stock
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annie and Clarabel | 2009 | 97001 and 97002 | Both released separately |
| Troublesome Truck #1 | 2009 | 98001 | |
| Troublesome Truck #2 | 2009 | 98002 | |
| Emily's Coaches | 2011 | 97003 and 97004 | Both were released separately |
| Tidmouth Milk Tanker | 2011 | 98005 | Discontinued |
| Sodor Fuel Tanker | 2011 | 98004 | |
| Oil Tanker | 2011 | 98007 | Discontinued |
| Tar Tanker | 2012 | 98009 | |
| Coal Wagon with Load | 2011 | 98003 | Discontinued |
| Cargo Car | 2011 | 98006 | |
| S.C. Ruffey | 2012 | 98010 | |
| Brake Van | 2013 | 98008 | Discontinued |
| Raspberry Syrup Tanker | 2014 | 98011 | Discontinued |
| Blue Open Wagon | 2014 | 98012 | |
| Cream Tanker | 2014 | 98014 | |
| Red Open Wagon | 2014 | 98013 | |
| Ice Cream Wagon | 2016 | 98015 | |
| GWR Box Van | 2016 | 98018 | |
| Explosives Box Van | 2016 | 98017 | |
| Sodor Fruit & Vegetable Co. Box Van | 2016 | 98016 | |
| The Spiteful Brake Van | 2018 | 98021 | |
| Toffee Tanker | 2019 | 98022 | |
| Water Tanker | 2019 | 98023 | |
| Chocolate Syrup Tanker | 2019 | 98024 |
Figures
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Topham Hatt | 2002 | 42443 |
Originally marketed alongside HO scale range |
| Guard | 2008 | 42445 |
Originally marketed alongside HO scale range |
| Farmer McColl | 2010 | 42448 |
Sets
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas with Annie and Clarabel Set | 2009 | 90068 |
Includes Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, an Oval of Track and DVD Instructions; Discontinued |
| Percy and the Troublesome Trucks Set | 2009 | 90069 |
Includes Percy, Troublesome Truck #1, Troublesome Truck #2, an Oval of Track and DVD Instructions; Discountinued |
| Thomas' Christmas Delivery Set | 2012 | 90087 |
Includes Thomas with Santa Hat and Snowplough, Red Open Wagon with Presents, Decorated Coach, an Oval of Track and DVD Instructions; Discontinued |
Accessories
2012
- Thomas' Snowplough (discontinued)
2017
- DCC Sound Module
N Scale
Engines
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas | 2020 | 58791 | |
| Percy | 2020 | 58792 | |
| James | 2020 |
Rolling Stock
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annie and Clarabel | 2020 | 76094 and 76095 |
Both released separately |
| Troublesome Truck #1 | 2020 | 77096 | |
| Troublesome Truck #2 | 2020 | 77097 | |
| Oil Tanker | 2020 | ||
| Fuel Tanker | 2020 | ||
| Water Tanker | 2020 |
Sets
| Model | Original Release Year | Item Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas with Annie and Clarabel Set | 2020 |
Trivia
- The 2002 Product Catalogue oddly showed a Lionel O scale Thomas on the front cover.
- The first HO scale products released in 2002 (Thomas, Percy, James, Annie, Clarabel, Troublesome Trucks, Bertie, Harold and Cranky) were based on promotional artwork in circulation at the time.
- The HO scale oil, cream and raspberry syrup tankers and the mail coach were all initially released as they appeared in the model series but were reissued with their CGI series insignia in 2011.
- Thomas, Percy and James' HO models do not have front couplers, unlike all the other HO scale locomotives.
- Thomas, Percy, James, Gordon, Henry and Toby's HO models have grey coupling hooks. Henry and Gordon additionally also have grey brake pipes and lamp irons. Curiously, however, the sound-equipped Thomas has black coupling hooks. In late 2018, the normal Thomas had his coupling hooks painted black.
- On Emily's HO model and G scale model, her water filler cap is green instead of black.
- Later releases of Thomas' HO model feature two holes behind his front buffer beam so that his snowplough can be fitted. Also in 2014, the chassis block and wiring contacts on Thomas' HO scale model were redesigned.
- Henry's tender is noticeably shorter in height than in the television series.
- Gordon's cab is noticeably taller in height than in the television series.
- On James' original HO model, the wheels and axleboxes are painted grey and his smokebox saddle is painted red when they should all be black. The handrails are also white when they should be silver. The large scale model is devoid of these errors; however, the wheels are unpainted.
- In an official forum post, a Bachmann representative revealed plans to update James to look more like his television show counterpart in 2015. However, once update artwork was sent to the factory, it was too late to change the production line at the time. James' updated model was released in late 2017, with black tender axle boxes, underframes, drawbar and dummy coupling hooks, as well as silver handrails. The dome, whistle and lining were also painted in a brass colour as opposed to the gold colour of the original model. However, the smokebox saddle remains red, the wheels became unpainted and it still has no front coupler. It is likely the James model was updated in response to feedback from customers.
- On Percy's HO model:
- The coal bunker is painted grey instead of black and is oversized.
- The cab steps are mounted on the side of the running board instead of under it. Strangely, his prototype model did not have this problem.
- Percy is the only HO locomotive not to have a rear dummy coupling hook.
- He is slightly taller than his television series counterpart due to the way the cylinders are fitted.
- In 2019, the brown colour on Toby's HO scale model was darkened.
- On Duck's HO model:
- The buffer housings are black instead of red.
- The prototype model had a black footplate similar to Duck's CGI model and the top of his safety valve was also painted black, but they were changed to grey and green respectively on the production model.
- Donald and Douglas' HO models lack cab side handrails that support the roof.
- The large scale GWR box van and Sodor Fruit and Vegetable Co. van are depicted as single-vent vans like the ice cream wagon. The HO versions are instead depicted as double-vent vans.
- Oliver, Rosie and Paxton are the only HO locomotives to be based purely on their CGI renders. All other models, including those with CGI faces, borrow elements from the television series models.
- Oliver's model lacks the tank front handrails.
- Diesel, 'Arry, Bert, Oliver, Rosie and Paxton are so far the only engines in the HO scale range to have CGI-styled faces.
- Diesel's model was used as the basis for 'Arry, Bert and Paxton, possibly due to all of them being BR Class 08 shunters.
- Paxton is the first CGI character to be introduced into the Bachmann range for HO Scale.
- Winston is the first CGI character to be introduced into the Bachmann range for Large Scale.
- Currently, Thomas, James, Diesel and Rosie are the only HO scale engines with more than one variant.
- On Annie and Clarabel's HO models:
- The underframes are painted grey instead of black.
- There are no dummy coupling hooks.
- The roofs are attached and have plastic frames and rectangles attached underneath them to resemble windows, unlike the Large Scale models that have unattached roofs. Emily's coaches and the Christmas coaches have similar features.
- Clarabel is missing her guard's compartment.
- The coaches in the Thomas' Christmas Delivery and Thomas' Christmas Special sets are Emily's coaches repainted.
- S.C. Ruffey's HO and large scale models both had a face that was not used in the television series on-screen.
- Terence's HO model has a removable snowplough.
- Winston is currently the only character to date to be made in Large Scale but not HO scale.
- In addition, he is also the first character that was first made in Large Scale, unlike the other characters who were all first made in HO scale and then made again into large scale.
- The human figures were originally marketed as HO scale, but have been relabelled large scale since the introduction of said range due to being too large.
- The Sodor scenery accessories are recycled models from Bachmann's Plasticville line.
- The HO models of Thomas, Annie, Clarabel and Emily's coaches made a cameo appearance in the 2015 film Ant-Man.
- In close-up shots, the large scale Thomas is used (albeit with the face altered to resemble the HO one for consistency).
- Percy's large scale prototype had a green coal bunker.
- Most wagons throughout the Bachmann range are reused moulds of wagons made in the Bachmann Branch Line and Mainline Model Railways ranges, albeit with the detail reduced. The Narrow Gauge rolling stock also seems to be based on Peco 009 gauge rolling stock, but without brake pipes.
- The blue narrow gauge van has the letters "SR" painted on the side which stand for "Skarloey Railway" while the red van does not. Interestingly enough, the large scale Brake Van similarly has the letters "NW" for "North Western".
- The narrow gauge van's roofs were most likely originally painted grey but were later changed to white as evidenced by the fact that the underside of the roofs is painted grey and visibly painted white on top afterwards. This change is also likely since the roofs are slightly darker than the Peco models' roofs as a result of being repainted.
- Bachmann models were used as references for the Percy, James, Gordon and Emily replicas at Thomas Land US.
- Skarloey is the first locomotive model in the range to not have moving eyes and the first HO scale tank engine with an open cab.
- The Thomas Deluxe Whistle and Chuff set is similar to the Percy and the Troublesome Trucks set.
- The Trackside Station resembles the fourth series Glennock station building, but without the canopy.
- 'Arry's HO model has more stubble than Bert, instead of the other way around.
- Thomas and James' G Scale models are featured in the I Love Toy Trains DVD "Ticket to Ride", in which they are operated by Dave Simkowski.
- Unlike the red version of the mail coach, the green version does not have its CGI mail emblems nor 'Sodor Mail' written in white. In fact, the green mail coach seems to be a "freelance" model as there was never a green mail coach in the television series.
- Spencer's prototype had differently shaped eyebrows and did not have his whistle, buffers, coupling hook or lamp irons.
- Packaged Bachmann models of Skarloey and Rheneas are on display at the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Tywyn.
- In the Large Scale range, all the locomotives have their CGI faces. However, Annie, Clarabel and the two Troublesome Trucks retain their model series faces.
- The G scale models are larger than the Gauge 1 Model Series models.
- Thomas and Percy's HO models were recycled as different models with the same moulds in the Bachmann Junior range. Thomas' model was repainted into engines such as 2005, Billy and Stuart. Percy's model was repainted into GWR locomotives and Greg.
- Contrary to popular belief and what is often stated, the range is OO scale; this is due to the amount of stock reused from OO toolings. The HO label is only included for the fact they are predominantly sold in HO standard countries. Likewise, the narrow gauge range is in the OO9 gauge.
- Gordon's express coaches were the first Bachmann Thomas products to be reintroduced following their discontinuation. In addition, these coaches were given a yellow stripe to match their CGI counterparts.
- The Red Rosie's window and cylinder lining are silver instead of light grey. She also lacks her rivets.
- A HO Scale model of Thomas, along with faceless versions of Annie and Clarabel, was used in "High Noon-ish", the third episode of the fourth season of the American detective comedy-drama series Psych.
- Rusty's model is half the size of his Model Series counterpart; this was probably done to make him in scale with his basis Midlander, which also makes his scale match both the Railway Series illustrations and his CGI render.
- The PDF version of Toby's blueprints incorrectly labelled him as "Toby the Big Express Engine".[1] This was intended for Gordon's blueprints.
- The UK releases of the HO scale engines contain several differences to the standard US models:
- The lamp irons and coupling hooks on all the engines are thicker to comply with UK safety standards (the minimum age was lowered from 8+ to 3+).
- Thomas' coupling hook on his standard model is painted black.
- Thomas' eyebrows have been enlarged.
- When the N scale Thomas and Percy models were revealed at --------, their faces had been switched around.
- Oddly enough, the upcoming LBSC Thomas model has bigger eyebrows whilst the standard Thomas has smaller ones making it inaccurate.
- Busy Bee James and Original Black James have painted smokebox saddles unlike standard James.
External links
- Bachmann Trains (Thomas & Friends™, Catalogs)
- Bachmann Trains Parts (HO scale T&F, G scale T&F)
- Facebook page
- Twitter account
- YouTube channel
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