In addition to alternative faces for the Bachmann Thomas range, it turned out Kato also has rights to make their own full models of characters Mattel doesn’t let Bachmann make (because they never appeared in CGI). At the second Adult Thomas Plaza event, they revealed a prototype for their first choice for a unique engine. With how random, unexpected and far-fetched it sounds, I initially thought another fan mistook one of the customs at the event for a real product.
Duke the Lost Engine - who only appeared in Season 4, became Bertram in Season 5 and got reverted but still never returned - will be getting new merch for the first time since 2010. Being a repaint of the Kato/PECO Ffestiniog 0-4-0T+T (Small England class), he will be fully compatible with Bachmann’s H0N30 Skarloey range. He’ll also be consistent with them design-wise, knowing they’re partially intended to be customised to look like their Talyllyn counterparts.
He’s scheduled to be released this September (date currently unknown), but will only be available at Kato stores in Japan. Wouldn’t surprise me if they plan to make Falcon and Stuart nameplates and/or an old funnel for Sir Handel and Peter Sam (or even a Bertram variant) if he sells well enough.
Credit to ConradAkira from the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki for the news.
