It's unfortunate but these look like cheap imitation plastic rubbish. I don't have personal experience with them and never will. They do not look like an item suitable for collectors or better yet, many years of play. There was/is something about Tomy and even original Trackmaster that allows them to be a bit more than just toys. These redesigned engines have a definite toy look about them. Just like toy (matchbox, hotwheels etc) car collectors, you don't see people collect plastic junk cars like those that come in packs of 10 for a dollar. And.. Those junk cars don't last to well when played with.
As for a basic drive unit design. It doesn't sound that great either. It has no safety clutch to stop when it snags or catches hair. Child product consumer groups won't like that. If it doesn't free roll when turned off, that's another negative for kids playing with them. The gear design probably doesn't have much torque for heavy/long trains due to almost direct drive arrangement.
Anyway, rant over. Does anyone know why they redesigned. Did a licensing (on the basic design and product components) end so they couldn't keep the proven design. Or is it just about cost cutting.
As for a basic drive unit design. It doesn't sound that great either. It has no safety clutch to stop when it snags or catches hair. Child product consumer groups won't like that. If it doesn't free roll when turned off, that's another negative for kids playing with them. The gear design probably doesn't have much torque for heavy/long trains due to almost direct drive arrangement.
Anyway, rant over. Does anyone know why they redesigned. Did a licensing (on the basic design and product components) end so they couldn't keep the proven design. Or is it just about cost cutting.
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