2015 Fisher Price Trackmaster

[HankAmericanEngine]

I'm just disappointed in its design and ideology..
I really don't like the idea of modifying something brand new to get it to work, as altering something from a pristine state decreases anythings value...
Also the old Fisher Price line was already substandard to Plarail in quality, but these Revolutions are inferior to the inferior line..just not even the same animal.
Nothing about a new train and an old one is the same...Nothing.
The old trains are GONE!
That's why I titled this 2015 Trackmaster...
I don't consider them as upgrades but as complete replacements to the Old FP's...
To hold a revolution in one hand and an old FP in the other is like comparing a tomy against the latter..
It's the sad decline of civilization even to the smallest level in toys as well..
They are the equivalent of a cheap dime store at the counter trinket.

I do have to agree with you, Muddy but I'm also one to say the same of the old Fisher-Price range and HiT Toys; hold one in one hand and the other in the other, and there is a significant difference in build quality and durability. Douglas taught me that much.

The slight change to the motor speed is a nice touch for Gordon and Spencer, but the others never really needed it; they don't run as quickly in the show, unless scared or for other reasons, but the squashed design just doesn't suit the engines.

Again, I am still on the fence with the revolution as I'm not too against it, but I'm not for it either. Fisher-Price delivered a custom cover for the trucks, which is universal on all 16-ton wagons, as are the cargo loads; the bolster wagons and boxcars aren't too appealing to me, but it is nice to see Fisher-Price trying to be unique enough to stand out in this lineage of products.

HiT Toys set a new standard with the old line that brought great competition against TOMY USA after it sold the license to HiT Entertainment, and to the Plarail Corporation as well. I can certainly attest to that with a great amount of happiness, pride, and sorrow.

The redesign has a good idea behind it to create faster engines, but it would only suit certain engines; the track is a touch more realistic, I grant you, but it's unruly with how it will just jut itself into the air and refuse to stay flat and level on the ground.

I'm just disappointed in its design and ideology..
I really don't like the idea of modifying something brand new to get it to work, as altering something from a pristine state decreases anythings value...
Also the old Fisher Price line was already substandard to Plarail in quality, but these Revolutions are inferior to the inferior line..just not even the same animal.
Nothing about a new train and an old one is the same...Nothing.
The old trains are GONE!
That's why I titled this 2015 Trackmaster...
I don't consider them as upgrades but as complete replacements to the Old FP's...
To hold a revolution in one hand and an old FP in the other is like comparing a tomy against the latter..
It's the sad decline of civilization even to the smallest level in toys as well..
They are the equivalent of a cheap dime store at the counter trinket.

I do have to agree with you, Muddy but I'm also one to say the same of the old Fisher-Price range and HiT Toys; hold one in one hand and the other in the other, and there is a significant difference in build quality and durability. Douglas taught me that much.

The slight change to the motor speed is a nice touch for Gordon and Spencer, but the others never really needed it; they don't run as quickly in the show, unless scared or for other reasons, but the squashed design just doesn't suit the engines.

Again, I am still on the fence with the revolution as I'm not too against it, but I'm not for it either. Fisher-Price delivered a custom cover for the trucks, which is universal on all 16-ton wagons, as are the cargo loads; the bolster wagons and boxcars aren't too appealing to me, but it is nice to see Fisher-Price trying to be unique enough to stand out in this lineage of products.

HiT Toys set a new standard with the old line that brought great competition against TOMY USA after it sold the license to HiT Entertainment, and to the Plarail Corporation as well. I can certainly attest to that with a great amount of happiness, pride, and sorrow.

The redesign has a good idea behind it to create faster engines, but it would only suit certain engines; the track is a touch more realistic, I grant you, but it's unruly with how it will just jut itself into the air and refuse to stay flat and level on the ground.

In all fairness, these are kids toys. They don't care too much about minor detail or how realistic a hill is. They want action more than anything. The redesign was by no means necessary, but playability-wise it is an improvement TBH. And honestly, holding a Tomy USA Thomas and a TM Revolution Thomas in my hands, I don't feel a major change in plastic quality. The one thing I can't stand is the one size fits all chassis.

In about five or ten years, we will be able to see who was superior-the Tomy usa locomotives were remarkably tough. My first thomas (standard thomas) I ever got runs FASTER than a Tomy usa thomas that hasn't had any abuse. So the only "fair" way to tell if this range is worse or superior is in time.

They have only been out 2 months...
I predict they will be broken into small parts by toddlers by years end...
Then the line will be completely overhauled by the following years end.
Just like their recent RC debacle..

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Lol..Darth if you drop them both on cement I'll bet the tomy might get scratched, but look out!! Cause the revolution might just explode!!

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Yes Hank, HiT was THE BEST
I love the hit trains best

one major loss as far as playability goes is the inability to free roll as they used. yes, they can still be pushed, but it cant be good for the gearing to go through that over a long period.
plus, the track sets seem designed to do maximum damage to the trains. the breakaway bridge is going to see a lot of thomas' with no stickers left on the sides. that new pirate mast one is going to see busted buffers, chipped faces and goodness knows what else.

my old magnetic tomy engines are at least 24 years old... they still go for the most part. yes, some of the motors died for whatever reason, and some of the tyres needed replacing recently, but the gearing etc is still perfect after a lube and clean. when these new engines are 24, and my engines are 48, we will see what is still around. [heck, i will be about 60 by then... chances are i wont even be around to do the comparison!!]

one major loss as far as playability goes is the inability to free roll as they used. yes, they can still be pushed, but it cant be good for the gearing to go through that over a long period.
plus, the track sets seem designed to do maximum damage to the trains. the breakaway bridge is going to see a lot of thomas' with no stickers left on the sides. that new pirate mast one is going to see busted buffers, chipped faces and goodness knows what else.

my old magnetic tomy engines are at least 24 years old... they still go for the most part. yes, some of the motors died for whatever reason, and some of the tyres needed replacing recently, but the gearing etc is still perfect after a lube and clean. when these new engines are 24, and my engines are 48, we will see what is still around. [heck, i will be about 60 by then... chances are i wont even be around to do the comparison!!]

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Awe old trains never die!!!

[HankAmericanEngine]

I won't lie-- this is a fascinatingly interesting and intriguing discussion about the revolution.

@"ROCKINATOR" I have to agree with you on the durability and quality of some lines. My greatest example is that of the old TOMY USA engines -- My Arthur, Murdoch, and Neville (Now my original character Stephen the Q1) are now turning a whopping 11 years old this fall! They have some scrapes and minor scuffs, but look and run as though they were just purchased the other day.

@"sunhuntin" I'll have to agree with you as well. These engines and rolling stock are meant for children, but a good counter would be the Plarail line in Japan-- even though they are children's toys, collectors who have married and have children who are interested in the product are introduced to their parent's own collection to spark their interest in it. Some of the best engines and rolling stock were manufactured before some of us were even born, so that is one great way to get newcomers into the hobby and passion of collecting and running these engines.

@"Muddy Poppins" I do love the HiT Toys engines and rolling stock; sadly, I only have 8 or 9 engines from that reign, but plenty of the rolling stock. Their first four "Trucks and Track" packs were some of the best. It was nice to see them gain thunder with the decent pricing and consistent circulation of all engines and characters, but some had difficulties even being seen on the shelves and pegs.

I made a considerable detour two days ago so that I could visit a Toys 'R Us where I thought they would have a decent range of these for me to look at. I stayed there about half an hour picking things up, looking at them, and putting them back. I had money burning a hole in my wallet, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to buy any, and left empty handed.

They just look cheap and nasty, it's that glossy plastic with indistinct moulding that I particularly object to.

I'm happy to let others buy them and review them (many thanks guys), my money's destined for Ebay, or possibly one of these days for Japan Yahoo Auctions.

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.

[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.