Knockoffs or real? - Help wanted

Was 2013 its last production year, or was he retired at the very beginning of 2013, or at the very beginning of 2014? If an engine was retired before being sold in the 2013-2014 single-engine packaging that was around before Revolution, then that's a huge clue that points towards these being knock-offs. I think the easiest way to find out is to confirm whether or not they were on store shelves, but I still can't find any footage or claims from anyone regarding that...
(Also, Duncan's Trackmaster or Plarail toys don't even have pistons. o: I think you're referring to his cylinders. A piston valve is something inside of a cylinder.)

They are not knockoffs... these are leftover stock from Fisher Price that's been sold to second/third world countries. These were produced in 2013, but notice how none were released here, because that would be a horrible marketing decision if they were to proceed with releasing them to retail in the west, taking into account that Mattel's Trackmaster II was released. You can not continue to sell products for an older generation when the over-taker is in the market, that's how a company loses money.

There were for a FACT, only two, engines that did get slipped to the west, and that's the new Donald and Douglas. These two are impossible to find in the West packaging, but photography exists. I'm having difficulty finding hanging box versions for Hank, Dennis, and Duncan, supporting my theory those were not released here. And I'm gonna go as far as to saying if the international marketplace on eBay didn't exist, the Fisher Price Donald and Douglas models would be hands down two of the rarest Trackmaster items.


So if I'll give a few pointers, considering I'm close in the international business with these trains. If the toy is selling from China or Hong Kong, and the seller has an exceptionally high feedback rating and there is a photograph of it's box (with the official Fisher-Price logo and Thomas & Friends trademark on the packaging), it's legit. And of course, if you really want to confirm the legitimacy, all you have to do is look on the bottom for licensing and copyright information. If it's there saying something along the lines of "20## MATTEL" or something like that, it's 100% authentic, regardless of origin. Every knockoff train I've seen cannot put those on the bottom, or else they get traced back as illegal items- then the government within the country of manufacture has the right to take action. Hope this clears up this rather confusing thread!

A million times thank you, Star. I still have some questions tho...
Is the licensing and copyright on the bottom of the BOX or the engine itself? Also, how can I be sure that the photographs are real when most of the listings share the same ones? I've come across tons of listings from different sellers across Hong Kong and China that have the same pictures. A lot of them are photos of the box with the engines inside lying on their side against what looks like either a wall that is painted with white and grey stripes, or a sheet made of what seems to be foam or a sort of grainy metal.

came across this chinese plarail...don't know anything about it though



and another different looking model

They are not knockoffs... these are leftover stock from Fisher Price that's been sold to second/third world countries. These were produced in 2013, but notice how none were released here, because that would be a horrible marketing decision if they were to proceed with releasing them to retail in the west, taking into account that Mattel's Trackmaster II was released. You can not continue to sell products for an older generation when the over-taker is in the market, that's how a company loses money.)

This is an old thread but as I'm making a video about these knockoffs, I decided to read back on the BPT opinions and discoveries, What I don't understand is how if these are legitemate products from 2013, 

A: How are there still lots in stock from the sellers as it has been 10 years since FP was liquidated 
B: How new molds emerge, eg. Rheneas, Skarloey, Whiff, Stanley etc

Thank you all,
Tons

i have a feeling a worker brought in some of his trains without the wheels to the factory and showed the boss and they were like "hm, okay we will make these but with what wheels" "EDWARDS!!!" and they did that spawning whatever these are

It could be true