2014 Trackmaster redesign

[Super]

I agree that the Emily looks gross. That is the big drawback of trying to fit every train on the same, bulky, chassis. What I don't understand is that with a direct drive, motor to axle, why is there a need for 2x AAA 3 volts? It seems to me in my amateur electrical mind that a more powerful motor direct drive like one of the Tamiya's would be more than enough power to run up those hills and only take one AA 1.5 volt battery which would leave more room for detailed engines. In fact without the bulkiness of the 2 AAA batteries and no need for the big motor housing the gears I think they might have even more likeness to the real Thomas line than with the older models. And they could even engineer the chassis to fit all characters. Of course this is only my opinion with no real idea as to what it takes to make these trains and how much the various ideas would cost.