If the budget was limited, it is a pity that the same is the case with the imagination of people in the creative department. All three upcoming “Motorized” sets are almost literal copies of earlier sets, with a change of colour and locomotives. Not even Annie & Clarabel from the “Package Pickup” set has been changed to be more like the characters from the TV show; they are as small as they used to be, so they look weird next to Thomas, who is now much bigger than he used to be. The only truly new set will be the Push Along Race for the Sodor Cup Set.
However, it seems that the funds were mostly spent on modelling locomotives. When you pick up the AEG model and the TM2 model, it's as if you have two completely different types of models in your hands. AEG models are made very precisely, they are very nicely painted and full of details: the windows are embossed and not just drawn, whistles and some other parts are made as special parts, then attached to the body of the locomotive from below, etc. The middle wheel looks like a real wheel (it's a separate peace of plastic), and is not just painted on the chassis. I'm no expert, but they seem to be technically much better, too.
All in all, the workmanship is very good. The TM2 models were cheaply made toys, with visible colour flaws. Let's face it: we liked them just because they were Thomas & Friends characters, not because they were top-notch models! Their colour seems to be applied with an inkjet printer or something. From a distance and in the photos, these models looked OK, but if you looked at it closely, it was a cheap job. Quality control was completely absent in the TrackMaster series.
AEG models are something completely different. If they had at least discarded the toothed wheels and those bad TM2 rails, it could be said that they came close to Takara Tomy Plarail quality. Since they redesigned only the locomotives, and took everything else in an unimaginative way from the previous program, it can be said that they failed. Still, the AEG models seem to be better runners, don’t derail often like the TM2, and are generally more stable while driving. That, at least, is my experience.
However, it seems that the funds were mostly spent on modelling locomotives. When you pick up the AEG model and the TM2 model, it's as if you have two completely different types of models in your hands. AEG models are made very precisely, they are very nicely painted and full of details: the windows are embossed and not just drawn, whistles and some other parts are made as special parts, then attached to the body of the locomotive from below, etc. The middle wheel looks like a real wheel (it's a separate peace of plastic), and is not just painted on the chassis. I'm no expert, but they seem to be technically much better, too.
All in all, the workmanship is very good. The TM2 models were cheaply made toys, with visible colour flaws. Let's face it: we liked them just because they were Thomas & Friends characters, not because they were top-notch models! Their colour seems to be applied with an inkjet printer or something. From a distance and in the photos, these models looked OK, but if you looked at it closely, it was a cheap job. Quality control was completely absent in the TrackMaster series.
AEG models are something completely different. If they had at least discarded the toothed wheels and those bad TM2 rails, it could be said that they came close to Takara Tomy Plarail quality. Since they redesigned only the locomotives, and took everything else in an unimaginative way from the previous program, it can be said that they failed. Still, the AEG models seem to be better runners, don’t derail often like the TM2, and are generally more stable while driving. That, at least, is my experience.
My YouTube Channel: Mister No
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