2014 Trackmaster redesign

[Super]

I thought they looked more like a shaving cream commercial or a terrible accident with the inside of an Oreo cookie.

Just remembered this post from October 2nd on the official Thomas and Friends AUS/NZ Facebook page regarding someone's concerns over the redesign and this is what they had to say about it:

We know we have a large community of devoted Thomas & Friends fans who are very passionate about the line. The Fisher-Price team is too. Our combined observations and the feedback loop will continue to strengthen this brand, so thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think. We've passed your message on to the team.
We have made design enhancements to the TrackMaster line to improve the overall play experience and the excitement little Engineers have come to love and expect of Thomas & Friends products.
We worked hard to maintain compatibility with our old track systems because we know how important this is to you, but our focus on optimizing the product performance required a few design tweaks. To ease the transition, every TrackMaster set includes backwards compatible adapter pieces that work with the old track so that you can combine the old with the new. Some of the new engines may not work on all of the features/destinations from the prior playsets and old engines will not be able to handle the new steeper inclines in the enhanced products, but we've aimed to strike a balance between better performance and compatibility.
If you'd like to know more about the changes, send us a message and we'll go through all of the details
On the batteries, it might not be a bad idea to look at rechargeable AAAs and a charger, they do cost a little more to begin with, but if you're using them often they may well work out cheaper in the long run.

Interesting isn't it... ?

[Ucwepn]

very interesting, Oh I just ordered Samson too so in depth analysis when it arrives hehe.

New stuff for November:

Emily: http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141.../Emily.jpg

2-in-1 Track Builder Set:
http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141...derSet.jpg
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141...erSet2.jpg

[HankAmericanEngine]

Thanks jdogman!

To be quite honest, it looks like Emily's put on weight with this redesign; another "Edward" issue to probably follow with her, as her drive wheels are only painted on and no longer have the side rods.

The 2-in-1 Track Builder set is almost like any other beginner set in my eyes; to be blunt, HiT Toys starter sets were a bit more intriguing, but TAKARA TOMY Plarail starter sets are certainly worth your money over this.

Any ideas as to costs?

[Ucwepn]

Thanks for the info Jdogman! Hating Emily already, just lost for words lol

[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.

Emily's face reminds of Harvey the Crane . I can't even use Mr. Motorman on the new thomas engines argh.

[Super]

I can't even use Mr. Motorman on the new thomas engines argh.

Thats right, I forgot about that!

[Ucwepn]

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.

Hi Super, quite simply Mattel wanted to cut manufacturing costs but standardizing all the chassis across the range, this means less work for designers and less work at the factory due to one set of chassis tooling required to make all the chassis. You are right about the upgrading the motor part and it was shown in Trackmaster's own youtube video behind the rails, you can see in one scene some preliminary sketches of the designs with notes in the corner as bullet points indicating "One chassis for all locomotives to reduce production costs" "increased speed with NO COST IMPACT" (this in itself is very telling that they themselves did not want to shoulder the cost for upgraded motors and would rather impose the cost on the consumer by having to buy extra batteries to double the voltage.