Question About this Thomas Version

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Very interesting. I wonder if this design is before they redesigned the drive wheels in Trackmaster Revolution to have the gear type traction tire. Maybe their first designs where still using the original Trackmaster track using only special track for inclines. I would be curious to know what their thoughts were on how extreme rear gear would mate with the track as it looks that it would be constantly in motion through the pinion gear to the drive axle. Extreme front wheels may have initially been for the beginning of a steep incline so the train would ride the wheels and not bottom out in the front. It also hints at their possible thinking why the Trackmaster Revolution isn't free wheeling as they thought they needed to slow down the descent so the train didn't fly off the track. Thanks Ucwepn, a great find on this Version "D" design drawing. It would be neat to see all the other design ideas too.