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+--- Thread: It Finally Happened! (/thread-2187.html)
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It Finally Happened! - Super - 12-04-2016
It finally happened, after all this time of reading and watching other peoples videos and reviews of the Trackmaster 2 series Thomas trains, one is finally in my hands to judge for myself. Included in a large Lot of trains a Thomas and Clay Wagon.
I have to say that, for the first time, I now have one in my hand to judge for myself.......I completely agree with all I have seen and read. Just holding these in my hand has a feeling of cheapness that I am not use to seeing as I like the feel of the first Trackmaster generation and Plarail. The Clay Wagon is really so light weight that now I know why the videos I watch they bounce up on the tracks so much. Thin plastic and the uni-wheel/axle....ugh and the wheels are really very thin too! The clay load, which I think is done nice, doesn't even fit properly as it is too small. Thomas, to me, just feels so light weight. And now I see first hand the low activation tab that made the train stop at the first curve it came to on our layout.
I have to admit there are some nice features though. There are pronounced buffers on both the wagon and Thomas even though the ones on Thomas aren't painted. I have seen many other Trackmaster 2 trains where the buffers are flat and hardly noticeable. No stickers on Thomas as the detailed paint looks very nice. And the motor is nice and quiet.
I can see that small children could probably handle these better because they are so light weight and their little hands can work the flimsy couplings easier than the white originals. I remember when my Grandson was very small having a tough time pulling the white ones apart having to resort to twisting and pulling which eventually damaged the couplings. So all in all... I think that I could have accepted (not buy) the new design for the tots if they would have made these the exact same way but with normal drive rubbers and higher activation tabs and sold them in the normal three pack. Then for the special trick sets use these chassis's with the cog wheels. That way they could have doubled the attraction where the trick set trains could be used with any set and with the trains using my suggestions could appeal to all those out there like us who have the original tracks and aren't into trick sets. The best of two worlds and more profit even though they are more cheaply made.
My belated review...of course this Thomas and his Clay Wagon wont be staying in our collection as he will be included in an Ebay Lot soon.
RE: It Finally Happened! - WoodWheel92 - 12-04-2016
I think they should have done the clay wagons with buffers a long, long time ago. I really like them like this, despite their light weight and plastic axles.
You make a lot of very good points. I wonder why the activation tabs are so low to start?
RE: It Finally Happened! - sinkillerj - 12-04-2016
I may be crazy, but from the picture the plastic even LOOKS cheaper...
RE: It Finally Happened! - ROKMAN1445 - 12-04-2016
Welcome to modern day Trackmaster… I felt the same way you do when I bought a TMR James. In short terms, I've shunned this James.
RE: It Finally Happened! - Nigels - 12-04-2016
Has to be seen/felt to be believe how crap these FP versions are. I'm still recovering from seeing the appalling job they've done on the recent 'Flying Scotsman', it really really does suck...
RE: It Finally Happened! - Ucwepn - 12-04-2016
One good thing though is the quietness of the drivetrain which is really noticable after a wheel swap.
RE: It Finally Happened! - ROKMAN1445 - 12-07-2016
Well, I think I might do a side my side comparison of the TOMY and current Percy model… I can tell you that the Percy that I'll be using has been sunk into all sorts of puddles. (It doesn't work, but hey.)
RE: It Finally Happened! - DalaGStanator - 12-08-2016
I've always been steering well clear of causing any damage to any character and rolling stock I've ever had. Some have been used with such great caution that they don't look too far from mint-in-box despite the passage of time. Now that I'm older, I always remember to remove batteries from unused toys to prevent "killing" them. If Leokimvideo were to see my collections, I think it could've given him wrong ideas very quickly.
I remember there was a set review posted here that happened to have a comparison between these exact Percys, but I can't find it anymore. Both you and I even replied to it back when it was new(ish).
Edit: found it.
RE: It Finally Happened! - trevor379 - 01-03-2017
you guys are so harsh on this new line. i do understand where most of you are coming from though. i get it made cheap look cheap. but for me.. i love designing train sets. before i was so limited. if i had an idea... it was constricted and or became expansive; and even therefore expensive. now when i design a set and track... i'm no longer asking myself where can i go? but rather where can't i go! i hope for but a few things from track rev. 2. all will happen soon. #1) a gerder pack! #2) give me all tracks in packs. ( no more e2's restricted to sets.....And #3) most important... give me buildings related to the series. the larger the better
i'm working on a design right now. and i wish i could invite super over to help me keep it relative to the series. muddy to make sure i have the best trains in place. and anyone... everyone to put their perspective(s) in. that would be phenomoneable
RE: It Finally Happened! - Super - 01-03-2017
I actually thought that the opposite was true with the Trackmaster II tracks in that one is very limited with what the can build. At least that is what I have heard. You say "before it was limited" what tracks were you talking about, original Trackmaster or Tomy?
You've got the wrong person to help you with keeping a layout relative to the series as I don't know much about the Thomas series or the trains. But you came to the right place as there are many here that can help with their opinions. Hope you will share with us some pictures as you build your layout.