The "stunt trains" controversy.

[Ucwepn]

The trackmaster, TnP & wooden range was targeted for cost cutting as soon as Mattel bought HiT and took control of Thomas, remember on trackmaster 1 when they added those dark grey tires that are glued to the wheels? (2012) when I did a packup and cleanup of the trains on the layout I noticed many of these glued grey tires were nearly all brittle cracked and destroyed in many places even on a 2013 Gordon, many of them were split and I know they weren't stored in sunlight but the shed where they are stored is subject to extreme temperature fluctuations between hot and cold. It's naive to think that mattel doesn't know this was going to occur and hence switched to the solid wheels of trackmaster 2, they are an expert in plastics and rubbers. So anyway if these engines (2012-2014) are stored out in the open please check the traction tires. I was horrified I tell you!