Model Reviews

 Thomas the Tank Engine

He is an engine who needs no introduction. Meet Lionel's O Scale representation of Thomas the Tank Engine. This model was originally produced back in 1996 and has been around in Lionel's catalogue ever since. Over the course of nearly two decades, Lionel has changed very little with this particular tooling. If anything, they have only ever updated the mechanism inside! But let's take a look at this infamous little engine.

When it comes to colors, Thomas looks just as he should. With a bright blue paint job, red lining, and a bright number one on both sides, Thomas looks just as he appears in all official media. Over the course of this model's history, paint application has gone from good, to great, to poor, to simply okay. The images you are looking at here are from the 2017 release. The 2019 (Bluetooth) release is a bit of a brighter blue than seen here with but cosmetically all is the same. 

Details are where we begin to start nit picking. Once again, if you were to look at a picture of Thomas and then see Lionel's rendition there is very little "wrong." He has his six small wheels, a golden whistle near the cab, buffers at the front and rear, and his dome and funnel. But it is the application of these details and a few missing bits and bobs that detract. For one, the placement of the wheels is quite "squished" together, due in part to the placement of the motor behind the last driving wheel. This leaves a massive gap near the cab/bunker area and unfortunately detracts from the look of the model.

Thomas is also rather out of proportion. In addition to the incorrect wheel placement, Thomas' boiler sits very high up, making him appear much taller than he actually is. I always assumed this was due in part to the board that goes inside the body shell that controls all the sound and what not. But this tooling dates back to the late 90's where it was just a forward and reverse model with no sound. So if anything, it just appears to be poor molding. Thomas' face is also a point of contention among modelers. They say his face sticks out too far past his smokebox and his facial features are too flat. Personally, I do not see a massive issue here. An update would be great, but I do not foresee Lionel doing so. A shame really, as over the years after mold after mold after mold, it appears the mold has gotten worse or degraded over the years. Compare the 2017 face to the original 90's face and the original one is actually very good. 

(90's Version Left --------2017/current version Right)

On the topic of details, Thomas is lacking a lamp and lamp irons. This is subjective on whether or not these should be on a model. Companies such as Bachmann include them, but other companies like Hornby or Tomix omit these from their models. It is truly up for debate, but I do not feel it detracts from the model much. However, a lack of a front coupler for Thomas to push rolling stock is very apparent. It is one of those situations where the addition of one may look odd, but the actual use of operation would open the door for more running possibilities. That is however just my opinion. 

But how does he run?
Thomas is actually a very smooth operator (dependent on which version of the model you buy!) The original 90's version is a rocket! By the early 2000's conventional control release Thomas ha da nice range of slow or fast speed performance. Early Lionchief models give Thomas borderline no slow speed at all. 2017 onwards the slow speed capabilities are to be commended. Thomas can haul a decent amount too but will feel more comfortable running with the Thomas & Friends rolling stock designed for the range. Thomas nowadays comes included with a plastic swiveling dummy coupler as opposed to the early 2000's metal operating coupler. This is a shame, as a sturdy coupler allows for more hauling. An update to the coupler would be a wise addition for Lionel. 

Overall Thoughts:

The Lionel Thomas is perhaps one of the most confusing Thomas models on the market. New versions have Thomas with new sounds that can be controlled from a remote or Bluetooth abilities. These sounds are fantastic. From Thomas' voice to his TVS accurate whistle, a Thomas with sound is a great Thomas to have! But cosmetically he has his faults. In all honesty, the worst elements are the chassis and the small/elongated boiler and face. If those two issues are fixed, the Lionel Thomas could be a very good model (In fact, go to the Custom's Page... I have done this mod myself...!) In conclusion, as the only O scale Thomas on the market, he is all we've got. I would give him a 6 out of 10 if numbers are required. But from personal experience, once you own the model and operate it for years you suddenly stop noticing all the problems. A good little model and the first in a line of interesting releases!

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