Bachmann Thomas & Percy

[PaulRhB]

Now whether you want these for the Kids, your inner kid or for conversion to something else this might help.

Well initial impression was what fantastic value for money at under £100 each from Dragon.
They are a bit light but as they are intended to pull just a few wagons or a couple of coaches that's not a major issue.
Thomas 2lb 10oz or 1.2kg
Percy 2lb 8oz or 1.14kg

They are certainly chunky and halfway between Scale and narrow gauge really so they aren't going to be suitable for finescale conversions.
Faces can be removed to be replaced with a proper door, as shown in Vsmiths thread.

Here are some pics with a ruler for scale

Cabs removed

and comparison to Accucraft Caledonia & LGB Heidi

Testing to be added soon

 

[vsmith]

Nice pics

I terms of potential Realism, the Percy model is most successfull with only the faceplate needing replacement, the Thomas unit suffers from a certain amount of foreshortening, but once a few of the most aggregiously toylike elements are removed (the face and front splashes on Thomas) the results are very livable with.

The Annie/Clarabell coaches are very good representations of late Victorian/early Edwardian 2 axle coaches and with a little work can be converted into bogie coaches.

The trucks are the easiest fixs, just insert a slim flat screwdriver under and pop off the faces and your good to go.

ALL of these have to potential for some very enterprising modeler to be converted to real 1/22.5 standard gauge AKA gauge 3, they are certainly big enough.

BE ADVISED these out of the box WILL NOT COUPLE to standard LGB hooks unless you install the adaptors supplied by Bachmann in the sets and boxes. once these adaptors are installed the hooks will be lowered to standard LGB hieght.

My Percy will stay catapiller green for now and Thomas will get a repaint somewhere down the line, his baby blue color being the main toyish thing remaining, I'm thinking dark green or deep blue would be nice.

These are nice looking models anyway you look at them and are very very affordable

 

[Elmtree Line]

Looking forward to James coming out

 

[pugwash]

Looking forward to James coming out

I didn't even realise he was gay!

 

[vsmith]

Looking forward to James coming out

I didn't even realise he was gay!

Dont Ask - Dont Tell

 

[PaulRhB]

Hopefully mine will arrive from Jeremy tomorrow (No! they WILL arrive, he said so!)
Not even decoders at this stage!
Mind you, when someone on the forum (as they will) goes through chapter and verse on how to do it, I might reconsider.

Well someone's got to be first to replace flange squeal with "Hello Percy" and blower sounds with " It's the Fat Controller"

Now how do you create wav files for that?

 

[pugwash]

Well, first you buy the DVDs (for the kids, of course darling) then get a DJ music mix program and away you go!
Hours of entertainment for nowt let us know how you get on :callme: as we want to come and listen to Ringo muttering in your garden

 

[Dave Hub]

I'm trying to convince myself that they Won't go with all my other trains, but just in case, could some one post next to either a 1:29 diesel (gp9, gp38 etc) or an LGB diesel like the 0-4-0 or even a piko 218.

I know I'm crazy but humour me and I go away. (Thats what I told the misses 10 years ago any way.)

 

[PaulRhB]

I'm trying to convince myself that they Won't go with all my other trains, but just in case, could some one post next to either a 1:29 diesel (gp9, gp38 etc) or an LGB diesel like the 0-4-0 or even a piko 218.

Dave
The piccy of Thomas next to Heidi should give you some idea as that's standard LGB height.

Sorry was that too helpful

 

[Cliff George]

Dave I think you could justify one (or two), I did. Hope the pictures are what you were looking for.

 

[George]

Im gonna get Thomas in a couple of weeks time maybe just before Easter, not sure if I will get Percy, we will see

 

[Gareth]

I fancy a Percy !! The modelling possibiliteis are endless an Austerity saddle tank comes to mind and as for those truck s well I fany make an edwardian rake of bogie coaches with Annie and clarabel wonderful

 

[steamtom1]

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[align=center]Little guys sure love Thomas, especially when he is live steam, made from an Aster GER...
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[Dave Hub]

Thanks for the comparrison photos folks. I just shwoed Susan the other half. Her words were "You've got to get a Percy."

Lucky me eh!

 

[steamtom1]

And here's a nice Annie & Clarabel...

 

[minimans]

Everybody wants a Percy.......................Wasn't there a film of that name back in the 70's.................................

He got a transplant too but not his face...................Funny movie..........

 

[Gareth]

Need some info could you please give out the diamensions Of Annie and Clarabel i.e length width height etc my brain get deep thoughts !

 

[chris m01]

Why on earth didn't they make Annie & Claribal the same height as Thomas? And the trucks look too big to fit nicely with proper railways.

 

[vsmith]

http://toyxplosion.com/2010/02/new-thomas-friends-products-to-be-featured-at-the-2010-toy-fair/

BAchmann annouced the next items in the LS lineup will be James and 4 rolling stock peices, nothing more specific that that.

 

[PaulRhB]

Well Thomas ran beautifully straight from the box but Percy was a bit lumpy. Took off the keeper plate and cleaned off some grease, (not over the top with grease as they used to be), and cleaned out all the teeth in case there was some flash. Ran it in for half an hour in each direction and virtually eliminated the sticky spot so I think with a bit more running it will be ok.