More Talkative Thomas, how rare is it, and if there are more out there somewhere.

These were the second versions of the Japanese talking engines (after the Talk 'n Action ones). The others were Edward, Henry, Gordon, James and Percy. The Steam Along Thomas came after this and reused the Annie and Clarabel from it, albeit with three batteries in Annie to make the steam function work better. The face isn't identical either.

Fun fact: the tender engines are actually the same as their normal 2003 variants, only with talking coaches that are technically removable by unscrewing.