What Makes Bertram So...

**Super** · **Super** 08-05-2020, 12:33 AM Track Engineer

What makes Bertram so sought after and expensive over say...Duke which is almost his twin? I have always been curious.

Tharazero1 · Tharazero1 08-05-2020, 01:36 AM Thomas Fan

Because Bertram was a HiT Toys only release in 2009, for a relatively short period of time. The reason Duke isn't as rare is because Duke was also released by Fisher Price when they took over from HiT Toys, and was released and re-released multiple times.

**Super** · **Super** 08-05-2020, 08:36 AM Track Engineer

Thank you Thara

Well that certainly explains it. So Bertram was only released for one year and was that only in the US?

I think many Sellers on Ebay are confusing Duke with Bertram for its rarity as Dukes price on a lot of Listings is $25usd and up.

Tharazero1 · Tharazero1 08-05-2020, 10:00 AM Thomas Fan

I'm not sure if it was only a year but it must've been close to that. I'm pretty sure he was released worldwide too, but not sure either

**Super** · **Super** 08-05-2020, 03:53 PM Track Engineer

Thanks Thara

I assumed that it was a US release because he seems hard to find in other parts of the world but that could just be my mind palying tricks on me. What I haven't seen is a new in the box Bertram. Did he come in a box or one of those clear plastic things with only an engine and tender? Hmmm, maybe HiT didn't have any in the clear plastic. If that is so did he originally come with a piece of rolling stock?

DuckGWR · DuckGWR 08-05-2020, 05:06 PM Collector

He seems to have only been available in the HiT Toys Walmart style boxes, at least I haven't seen him in the HiT Toys blister pack style packaging.

[Image: extremely-bertram-thomas-friends-1-716b2...ad4739.jpg]

He was only released as an engine with tender, no other rolling stock

**Super** · **Super** 08-05-2020, 06:04 PM Track Engineer

Thanks Duck

Curious that the box says Trackmaster with no HiT on the front. Might there have been more than one box?

DuckGWR · DuckGWR 08-05-2020, 06:41 PM Collector

[Image: Track-Master-Hi-TToy-Company-Big-Friends-Bertrambox.jpg]

Hmm, I also see this one, which drops the New friend! blurb. He must have been available for more them one year, then, or at least more then one box cycle. I don't see this one specifically mentioning HiT either, I'm not sure any of that style had it on the front, just the back

confusedanddelayed · confusedanddelayed 08-05-2020, 08:01 PM Member

Has anyone ever seen a BNIB bertram come up for sale? I certainly haven’t.

**Super** · **Super** 08-06-2020, 12:00 AM Track Engineer

@Duck
Come to think of it I am not sure if all the 3 packed trains made by HiT have their Logo in the center of the box. Now I am not sure if I have seen any 2 pack train in a box with the HiT Logo but then I am certainly no expert of the Thomas trains so I am probably wrong.

@Confuse
I don't believe I have ever seen one, if I did I am sure I would have certainly been in on the fun.