very rare vs rare vs htf trains

there are enuff educated members here to start to define these terms. I truly believe that is up to us to start to make a list that is accurate.
this will be a huge endeavor. however, an important one. it will certainly be based on several factors. but first lets define terms and categorize.
#1) this tread will be limited to "domestic" trains. now unfortunately, I live in the states. so I'm going to use this country as base. I hope I'm not offending anyone, not my intention.
#2) domestic will be defined as trains in the trackmaster line. trains that were put in MASS production and are no longer available. we will save plarail for later. lastly, there's condition.
#3) condition is defined as: bnib, used w/box(uwb) & loose.
loose is defined as: mint condition, working & complete.

very rare= one only sees them less than 5 times a year.

now with all that said... please do not BOMBARD this thread with dozens of trains. lets take a FEW (3) at a time. so that other members can chime in. we all have our resources. WHO will help me compile this list?

I think HIT toys TM and FP TM should be separate for the fact that HIT toys had made a lot more in the rare and very rare category than FP did.

we can certainly can do that. although I've collected for years & have an extensive collection. I only know as much as I know. we can further categorize by manufacturers. however, I don't wish to make this list to complicated in the beginning. we can always fine tune "the list" once it is "loosely" made. does this make sense? I don't know? what year did hit toys end again?

It makes sense. HIT toys ended in 2010. Although I see a lot of 2009 Mattel under my few FP trains

I will leave this post for a day or 2. for more feedback from other members. so that we ALL can agree b4 we start.

Ok, I'll go first since I have a question in regards to defining "rarest" vs. "Actually exists"...
Excluding the Gold Thomas as it it a Tomy release and this discussion is about FP/HiT US releases, my first 3 entries are:
1. RC Spooky Stanley
2. Monty
3. The Lion of Sodor flatbed delivery car.

If anyone has one of these?...that is to say can actually physically post a REAL picture (NOT a generic stock photo), then I would put these 3 at the top of the "Very Rare" list!!!
...if not, they should be excluded as nonexistent and we can move forward and begin to assemble an actual list.
Thanks Trevor!!

Does this train exist?
a HIT toys steam along thomas?

Does this train exist?
a HIT toys steam along thomas?

Not to my knowledge...no.

[Ucwepn]

I have heard there were both version available but the HiT one could have been a reboxed Tomy item for western markets after the switch to trackmaster.

edit: found a pic, just a rebranding.

It exists!!! My hunch was correct!!!