NEW! Motorized CGI Thomas

Hello, I saw this image of this brand new Motorized Thomas which uses the old Thomas design but with the large red lever from All Engines Go! trains. It was found in a Support Mattel site, what do you think? Mattel it's planning something big for the 80th anniversary? It's real or not?

https://x.com/starlightfan02/status/1872...iaE4w&s=19
   

If the 'finder' had published a Mattel Support link that worked it might be slightly more convincing. As it is the image shown in the original tweet says 2022, so probably not. Also the alleged SKU 'HFX93' belongs to a regular AEG Thomas. Looking to me a lot like someone had too much time on their hands over Xmas.  Happy to be proved wrong though.

It's real, but the link isn't as straightforward to share. You have to type in the HFX93 SKU at https://consumersupport.mattel.com/matte...reate-case and press enter. HFX93 is the engine assortment used since 2022. I agree that it's a bit funny to see it there.

Not holding my breath that it means anything bigger other than a small assortment of the original style engines for the 80th.

Also, not sure why any current usage of the original series' likeness is specifically referred to as CG when it's looked exactly the same for 40 years but go off.

[Super]

Am I missing something? I am in no shape or form a Thomas aficionado but that picture in the first Post is not even close to an original design.. nor is that truck behind him.....what??? Looks more like a Trackmaster II or Revolution!

The difference being the shape and also the size as its based off AEG that meants the thomas will be bigger in size

@Super
This new 2025 Thomas reuses elements from the AEG counterpart like the longer rear coupling, the giant red switch, the height, and the separately fitted middle wheel.
It presumably still uses the same TM2 drive unit where it's the motor going directly to the wheel without the ability to freewheel

This thing can not fit under plarail risers since it's 7cm (plarail risers have a max of like 5 to 5.3cm, the trucks might be able to fit though.

@jdogman
People (usually fans) refer to it as CG specifically just because thats the specific incarnation is based off of.
General public though that's just classic thomas because besides maybe the face, any person whos not familiar what the differences are between model thomas and cgi thomas and besides from like, the face, rivets, and handrails they won't be able to tell you any.

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It actually looks okay though, it's taking a lot from TWR 2022 where they used the CGI orthographic reference sheets to design these, though updated to have rivets and handrails.
- Don't really have any major complaints about it other than it's kinda incompatible with everything that came before it, but given they're not working with Plarail directly for TM3 they can do whatever they want with the height and size since they're not bound to working within the constraints of an already existing toy train system.

The truck looks really good, wish it had a face and a separately fitted back coupling but it doesn't look terrible. We're finally free from the stupid cogwheels they introduced in 2017 and the axleboxes over the wheels look really good.
Looks to be the same dimensions as any trucks from TM2 though, it sits roughly around 4cm tall and 7cm long

[Super]

Ahhh...so it isn't original design at all...you all had me fooled there as I was getting excited to get back to the good old days... 🤔

Am I missing something? I am in no shape or form a Thomas aficionado but that picture in the first Post is not even close to an original design.. nor is that truck behind him.....what??? Looks more like a Trackmaster II or Revolution!

Definitely it's not the old style Trackmaster Thomas, it's a new body.

It's very interesting as they're using the newer motor block and the very long back coupler for this model, I think it's very neat and i wouldn't mind to buy it when it hits store shelves.