Oliver, Rosie, Ryan, Paxton and Daisy 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 model series builds. Thomas the Tank Engine was first born thanks to post-war austerity. When his young son, Christopher, asked for a model of Gordon from his bedtime stories, the Rev. Awdry found himself without sufficient material, so built a blue tank engine instead. The youngster then demanded stories for this new locomotive – the rest is history. The Bachmann Thomas Range locos have great running qualities (far better than the Hornby Thomas stuff) but are based on the TV models rather than on the books or the prototypes Rev. Awdry had in mind (and modelled). It's a pet project both to have a piece of nostalgia that I myself created as well as a challenge to build my modeling skillset; nothing more, nothing less than a simple pet project.

Officially, Thomas is based on the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway's E2 class. When Hornby held the licence for the models until last year, it used their model of the class with the addition of a face on the front. The only trouble with this is, if you look at either the illustrations by Reginald Payne and modified by C. Reginald Dalby in the books, or the TV series, his proportions are quite different to the engine. As for rivets, CGI Thomas has them, but none of the other versions has, and this model's tanks are also plain. 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. Interestingly, they were given front couplings. In close-up shots, the large scale Thomas is used (albeit with the face altered to resemble the HO one for consistency).All HO scale four-wheel coaches and brake vans (excluding Henrietta and Toad) are missing their dummy coupling hooks. 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. Gordon's express coaches were the first Bachmann Thomas products to be reintroduced following their discontinuation. In addition, these coaches were also given a yellow stripe to match their CGI counterparts.

Thomas, Percy and James' HO models do not have front couplers, unlike all the other HO scale locomotives. The best advice, therefore, is that already given above; base it on a LB&SCR E2, with extended tanks. 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.

If your intention was to have a Thomas closer to Awdry's vision of it, the books are a better starting point, but, even there, caution is advisable. The early illustrations could be a bit dodgy. Proportions could be terrible and the appearance of engines could change! Even down to the number of wheels in the case of Henry! The original releases of Emily's coaches had a matte coating on the roofs, but the 2017 releases have the roofs glossed.

The steam pipes (not sure of correct name) on Bachmann Thomas's front do not reach all the way forward to his smokebox. 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.

Liliput (Germany)

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 Bachmann dome is the incorrect shape, and the red boiler stripes protrude from the boiler rather than being flush. When the N scale Thomas and Percy models were first revealed, their faces had been switched around and had swapped eyebrows. Of course, you can't have Thomas without his coaches. Annie and Clarabel are modelled on the TV Thomas as they are four-wheelers, loosely based on LBSC Stroudley Coaches. Both coaches are identical apart from the names, although as a brake, Clarabel should have slightly different compartments. The moulding is simplified and there is no tumblehome. This is perfect for robust toys, but modellers looking to re-paint them for 'serious' use will be disappointed. With pre-grouping coaches soon to be being offered RTR in the scale, the kids won't need to hide theirs. You do get metal wheels though, so they run freely. Bachmann Europe Plc today unveiled its Autumn 2023 British Railway Announcements, revealing new products that are set to be released over the coming months for each of its model railway ranges. With new tooling projects in N, OO and OO9 scale, more than a century of railway history is depicted by the models that make up the Autumn collection. Bachmann Branchline

If your desire is a fidelity-driven model of Thomas, some proper research will help you. Despite some humorous (sometimes sarcastic) comments, the great majority of contributors on here are a friendly bunch, and if they know where you want to go, they will point you in the right direction. There is a multitude of armchair driven experts with the knowledge you seek. Exactly, I felt the photos explained it plenty well if there was confusion regarding my words. Ah, well, at least someone understands, Due to sharing Diesel's body shell, the HO Paxton's eyes are raised higher than they are in the show, thus causing his whole face to be incorrectly proportioned. This issue was fixed on the large scale model, as both Paxton and Diesel were designed at the same time. Spencer's prototype had differently shaped eyebrows and did not have his whistle, buffers, coupling hook or lamp irons.There are two versions of the 6-ton wagon; one with white lettering and the other with a more cream tint. The white lettering wagons have an unglossed chassis on the bottom and would have the "K101019". S.C. Ruffey's HO model's frames are grey instead of rusty orange. This was corrected on his large scale, and N scale models.