2015 Fisher Price Trackmaster

[HankAmericanEngine]

I would rate them at:
1. Plarail
Superior production values, best design and engineering, with higher quality materials, more creative appointment and an overall higher expectations of what rolls off the assembly line.
2. Tomy
All the quality and durability of Plarail with slightly less production values as far as acceptable flaws and precision in mold and paint work detailing.
3. HiT Toys
This should be a tie for 2nd...
Their efforts match that of Tomy in durability, with a higher attention to detail, and far more creative appointments as well as original additions and variations that enhanced the line and collectabillity in the very short time we were lucky enough to have them.
4. Fisher Price Original (first generation)
I guess 4th out of 5 could be worse..lol
They were ok..
Fairy durable, worked consistently, not much detail or imagination, but they were built just well enough to be fun and priced just low enough to compete.
5. Fisher Price Revolution (2nd generation)
I do appreciate the resurgence of new characters with more thoughtful beginnings of more exciting designs, colors, appointments, and schemes...though the overall continuity seems to presently lack direction, and I am curious to see the long term mechanical success of this new design, I am hopeful that maybe one day they'll find a better ranking.

That's quite a great rating system, Muddy! I hope you don't mind that I post my ratings as well!

1.) TIE between Plarail and HiT Toys TrackMaster

Both companies produce (in HiT Toys' case, produced) quality products that stand the test of time and love. Plarail releases numerous characters of Thomas & Friends, with HiT Toys actually circulating engines that had never been available on U.S. soil before. HiT Toys' quality and durability easily rivaled the Plarail Corporation, including the fact the HiT Toys Company released a variety of rolling stock seen in the show, which had never been produced before.

Plarail still has an upper hand with its reputation of quality products, ease of availability (in Japan and Asia; prices range wildly on the internet), and popularity within collectors and enthusiasts.

2.) TOMY USA

TOMY USA released the original 8, from Thomas to Duck, as engines by themselves or with their rolling stock; engines such as Neville, Molly, Dennis, Murdoch, Emily, Arthur, and others were eventually released, but it was too little too late for TOMY USA. These engines came out around 2004 or 2005, but I feel if they had been released just a few years earlier, the TOMY USA company might have had a standing chance in the market.

3.) Fisher-Price TrackMaster

Fisher-Price did a decent job updating some details on various engines, but it came at a number of costs -- niches in wheels, incorrectly coloured plastic, some rather unusual detailing (e.g., wonky-eyed engines), etc., etc. They had a decent run, but they slowly lost their thunder with each cost-cutting idea that came to their mind. They could have really had a good standing, as I was thoroughly impressed with Ferdinand upon his first release, but I may never know what truly caused them to derail so poorly.

4.) Fisher-Price TrackMaster Revolution

Ingenious idea for faster engines and more action, but it did come at a great cost. The rolling stock look like trailers, and the engines like tractors with their drive wheels and spoked rubber/plastic treads. The best I've seen with this range is the tarpaulin cover for Gator's trucks, but nothing else really. A truly ingenious idea with a number of setbacks, but I still have some hope that they can release engines or rolling stock that could easily "WOW!" the crowds. I hope they can.