Mattel beginning to address issues with the new TrackMaster?

As we all know, the new Trackmaster engines all have the same chassis, with the only difference being the wheel color and some of them having a wheel molded into the chassis; the universal chassis is what I consider to be the only real problem with the new range. Anyway, it appears that Mattel has realized that we have been complaining, and they are slowly fixing this problem! Here's basically what's happening: The new wave of Greatest Moments has been released, consisting of Samson, Flynn, and Scruff. Samson and Scruff are nothing special, in that they still have the same chassis as all of the other locos. However, upon seeing TrackMaster Village's review of Flynn, I was pleasantly surprised: he has a (slightly) different chassis! The chassis itself has no front wheels or axles, which are instead attached to the loco's shell. This results in an odd-looking 2-wheel chassis:

http://snag.gy/lLwvP.jpg

http://snag.gy/u6gSi.jpg

http://snag.gy/L1EmF.jpg

What do you think? Is Mattel becoming less lazy? Do you think this change will be made to other engines? Lemme know!

Wow! Never thought I'd see an improvement from Mattel on these New TM locomotives.

[Ucwepn]

very surprising, I doubt the change will continue with future releases. The reason why they did this would seem to be so Flynn's chassis cannot be used for a train bodyshell.

[Super]

Maybe it was the only way to get their motor to fit into a truck body as it isn't a train. At least they are working wheels and not like the one of the Flynn's I have seen with fake wheels.

Thanks Darth for the heads up!

[HankAmericanEngine]

It's certainly very nice that Mattel is starting to look at this as an issue, but another lies within their pulling strength.

Using the old TrackMaster rolling stock, my new and improved Gator struggled heavily with 5 empty flatbeds and a brakevan; with 8 of his 16-ton open wagons, with crate payload, and an old TrackMaster brakevan, he struggled to maintain any kind of speed.

[Super]

I wonder if the lack of "Gearing" is the cause of that Hank. Aren't the new design a direct drive from the motor gear to the axle?

[Ucwepn]

the light weight and lack of momentum that comes with light weight is a culprit along with the slippery wheels. I have the new James weighted up and he can pull 5 express coaches ( I think it was 5)

Ucwepns probably right with the light weight issue. I'm yet to get my hands on some weights, proper ones to weigh my modified thomas with, see if he could perfect the corners.