Oh those were the best, Toy R Us gave me some of the best and worst birthdays. Thomas was always a joy to find in ERTL and it holds a deep place in my heart because it was where I spent the last birthday I ever had with my mother. I saw my Local one off as I had visited many times before, buying Diecast Thomas toys. It is why I am trying to get into the toy business with my own company, and yes I plan to make Trains like Mattel will never give us again. Dash Terrier Creations.
Bachmann, a leading global manufacturer of model trains: “No open cabs, sorry.” Ertl, an obscure toy company from a small town in Iowa: “Here you go, kitten. Daddy loves you.”
I was an avid collector of the ERTL models as a child. Sometimes I find the odd one at a Boot sale, and it brings back the many memories of my childhood mostly spent playing with them.
The best part of ERTL was that the toys made a genuine effort to resemble the actual locomotives they were based on, and often had trivia about those IRL machines on the back. As an American who didn't have access to The Railway Series or the internet until 1999, this was some of my first contact with the idea that these colorful model trains on TV had a connection to real life railroading history.
Some time in 2016 or 2015 I watched the Leokimvideo review of the ertl miniature range, I was so hooked on it I saw the video dozens of times and convinced my parents to buy it for me. Woke up one day to the complete set on the kitchen table with all pieces and nearly all engines. A great memory
My childhood had a lot of these, I stopped around the time series 5 came out though have picked up some of the later UK only releases. Favourites include the four pull back models (Thomas, Percy, Toby and Bertie) because they had unique sculpts that better matched the show and the narrow gauge engines, and Jock and Frank, great range of toys
You know it’s kinda ashamed that tug’s didn’t get the same popularity as Thomas did and I do kinda wish Ertl Thomas and friends lasted until the original Thomas and friends show got cancelled
I think us fans should band together, hopefully get a licence to produce toys for T&F, set up a company to bring back ERTL and with the technology we have now, imagine how accurate they'd look and the improvements that could be made for 21st century collectors and kids. I would love to release characters like Molly, Neville, Hank, Proteus and Hiro among others. Even some of the other rws characters like Stanley, Old Stuck Up and the NRM engines. Also re release the season 6/7 newbies like Arthur, Murdoch and Spencer because they are rare and expensive to buy in good condition. It's possible to do and honestly, who would complain about it?
man I still have all my Ertl toys at my parents, I have several sticker faced ones still surviving, mostly Edward, James, Percy and Toby. My first exposure to the Culdy Fell stories were through Ertl
I still have all my ertl stuff. Ansolutely stunning. Some of them still look brand new. I wondered why some of the engines i had were never in the show. Eventually i got the complete collection of the books in 1 big omnibus. Still didnt learn who 16 was.
I was born a year or two after ERTL stopped, so I was more a Take Along/n Play kid. Man, 2010 to 2014 Take n Play is where I'm nostalgic, especially leokimvideo's videos on the sets. I mainly experienced ERTL via eBay and I quite enjoy it. I especially love how there was a style of packaging that told you about the character's basis, giving it a bit of educational value.
I used to have ertl Thomas and friends when I was a kid. I love the back round music. Wii sports. Keep being awesome my friend. Ur the best my trainboy.
Boy am I glad I kept all of my OG die cast models!!! Have a mix from 1990 through probably 1999/2000! Didn’t ever get any of the 80’s models, though one day * hopefully * I’ll score one or two!!! Great video as always thanks for the memories brotha!
As someone who grew up on ERTL and is old enough to have seen them new in stores, I’d say they make better display pieces than actual play things. I’d say Take Alongs were better as play things, and I’m not surprised that those eventually replaced ERTLs… Still, ERTL is a cornerstone merchandise line!
ERTLs were my childhood, damn it. Although I have a big basket of them all upstairs somewhere (and a bag of the miniature sets), one of them was selected to sit on my work desk and that honour went to Duck (1990). He's next to me at this very moment. ☺
I like all the videos but finally one I can really relate with. I still have some ERTL stuff. Bought a new gordon to replace what I had as a kid after watching this video.
I agree 100% I think us fans should band together, hopefully get a licence to produce toys for T&F, set up a company to bring back ERTL and with the technology we have now, imagine how accurate they'd look and the improvements that could be made for 21st century collectors and kids. I would love to release characters like Molly, Neville, Hank, Proteus and Hiro among others. Even some of the other rws characters like Stanley, Old Stuck Up and the NRM engines. Also re release the season 6/7 newbies like Arthur, Murdoch and Spencer because they are rare and expensive to buy in good condition. It's possible to do and honestly, who would complain about it?
I still have dreams of walking into a store and finding new ertls. Until that happens, keeping my eyes peeled on eBay. Managed to get hold of some of the rarer ones, like Murdoch and spencer
Ertl was my jam back in the day. I use to have nearly every character. I'll never forget going into my local Toys R Us and seeing the massive display that would take up nearly half an aisle. In particular, I can recall one day I had to go with my mom while she ran errands in town. She said that if I behaved myself that we could go pick out a new toy, and that was the day I got Stepney. Good times...
Hey man love the vids! you probably won't see my comment but if you want an updated Ertl James I have one in my collection that I'd be willing to give to you.
1:28 They also made Theodore Tugboat Ertls too, just thought I share that info. Its crazy how all three shows that are very similar had Ertl models lol.
1:20 - That's my picture of the ERTL Godred and Culdee, not that I have a problem with it being used in this video. I was born too late to get an ERTL collection when I was younger; it wasn't until 2018 when I started collecting items from that range. Since then I've amassed a decently sized collection, with some of the highlights including: CFR No. 1 'Godred' CFR No. 4 'Culdee' City of Truro Percy (with a paper face) Terence Thomas Toby I've put my Thomas and Percy alongside the Take Along, Take n' Play, Adventures and Trackmaster Push-Along versions, in order to see the evolution of die-cast Thomas. Reminds me of something Leokimvideo may have done.
No idea how I ended up with it but I remember always having a James one around! And being so impressed how accurate it looked compared to the other toys :O Good memories!
The following characters I have for ERTL are: Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, Percy, Toby, Oliver, Toad, Diesel, Daisy, Sir Topham Hatt with railway staff, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Duncan, Stepney, S.C. Ruffey, Lady, Splatter and Dodge. Other characters I used to have but now long lost were Duck, Mavis and the troublesome trucks. If the ERTL Thomas line were still active, DEFINITELY we'd be curious of how the Hit era characters (Molly, Rosie, Neville, etc.) would've came out.
I think us fans should band together, hopefully get a licence to produce toys for T&F, set up a company to bring back ERTL and with the technology we have now, imagine how accurate they'd look and the improvements that could be made for 21st century collectors and kids. I would love to release characters like Molly, Neville, Hank, Proteus and Hiro among others. Even some of the other rws characters like Stanley, Old Stuck Up and the NRM engines. Also re release the season 6/7 newbies like Arthur, Murdoch and Spencer because they are rare and expensive to buy in good condition. It's possible to do and honestly, who would complain about it?
Did you know?: There was suppost to be a battery oparated Ertl thomas, but was cancelled. The reason for its cancelled is unknown, but most likely because of complex design, as the Engine would still be made out of metall, yet would still be able to free wheel (Similare to the Tomy design). Seeing as a gearbox would not be happening, a similare design to Trackmaster 2 (revolution) would need to be made, but it wouldnt free wheel. It would have used 2 button batteries and would have had a plastic looking metal switch. I have tried making a mock up/prototype of thus cancelled product with no sucsess. Still, I'll keep trying!
I think us fans should band together, hopefully get a licence to produce toys for T&F, set up a company to bring back ERTL and with the technology we have now, imagine how accurate they'd look and the improvements that could be made for 21st century collectors and kids. I would love to release characters like Molly, Neville, Hank, Proteus and Hiro among others. Even some of the other rws characters like Stanley, Old Stuck Up and the NRM engines. Also re release the season 6/7 newbies like Arthur, Murdoch and Spencer because they are rare and expensive to buy in good condition. It's possible to do and honestly, who would complain about it?
I grew up with these as well as the Ertl farm toys. Still have them all. I'm also a dealer in the farm toys today. Ertl has been owned by Tomy for a few years now. Sure wish I could order both ranges today!
I think us fans should band together, hopefully get a licence to produce toys for T&F, set up a company to bring back ERTL specifically for T&f and with the technology we have now, imagine how accurate they'd look and the improvements that could be made for 21st century collectors and kids. I would love to release characters like Molly, Neville, Hank, Proteus and Hiro among others. Even some of the other rws characters like Stanley, Old Stuck Up and the NRM engines. Also re release the season 6/7 newbies like Arthur, Murdoch and Spencer because they are rare and expensive to buy in good condition. It's possible to do and honestly, who would complain about it?
I had so many of these, man. Hell, I had Flying Scotsman, before I even knew what the Flying Scotsman was, so I just treated them like a regular Gordon. They got lost in a move years ago, and I only have one left now, which is my old Thomas that I'd take everywhere. Poor guy's definitely had a rough life, but I'd say he deserves his spot on my desk, even if I've had to put blu-tack on his underside so he doesn't try to go out and see the world again.
I was lucky enough to find a sticker face thomas, Henry and gordon in a 2nd hand shop and all of them were in mint condition with no damage whatsoever. I'm also slowly growing and ertl collection and I have engines like 16, toby and boco and I have henrietta and 2 tankers which is pretty cool.
ERTL Thomas & Friends definitely deserved better and it’s a shame that they got discontinued and replaced with Take Alongs and so many Die Cast merchandise has been getting replaced with new ones throughout the years like ERTLs Getting replaced with Take Alongs, Take Alongs getting replaced with Take N Plays, Take N Plays getting replaced with Adventures and Adventures getting replaced with Trackmaster Push Alongs and the only ERTL items I have are Gordon, a red express coach, an old coach, City Of Truro, Bluebell, Godred, Lord Harry and Lorry 2
In 2014 when I was like 2 somehow and I don't know how my dad did it ,but he gave me an ertl Toby. I don't have it now but it was crazy to find out that the ertl line was discontinued in 2004,and was lucky to even own an ertl Toby.Thanks Dad!
fans consider them "the best" huh? never heard a single good thing about them before ever. doesn't mean some people don't do like them, of course... but I mean the majority of the fandom doesn't seem to like them
I remember my mother buying me an ERTL Lady on a flea market, and getting my grandpa to cut off the coupling and buffers to screw in a... screw (yes, through the plastic) so that she could connect to my take alongs
Ertl Thomas was my childhood even though I only had Toby until about 2 years ago when I bought some lots of ertl Thomas, how could it have been my childhoood if I never had any of the engines or rolling stock but Toby? Two words one legend, mad bomber by leokimvideo
I have an entire bookshelf of these, bulk-bought and childhood collection alike, and my annoyance at their few shortcomings is about to have a long chat with a copy of CAD software and a 3d printer. It's only the end if you let it be. ...or if you try to sell it in bulk, of course.
In my opinion, ertls are very flimsy, badly proportioned, and probably the most overrated merch line in the entire fandom. But, I will say I have very fond memories of playing with an ertl Percy and 1996 wooden Gordon in daycare a lot as a kid, so I don’t blame you for finding them pretty novel 😄
Fun fact I actually did see some ERTL Thomas toys in a small local shop but the best part was it was actually in 2015 it was old stock just put up for sale so obviously i bought all 10 left😃😃
Man these things were lit I remember having a few though I'm not sure what happened to them.. I do remember playing with some that my uncle had too though, iirc he had the main cast and some obscure characters too like the blue diesel and Culdee Fell engines. I definitely want to collect some again in the future honestly, especially the keychain and small miniature ones
I had a lot of the ERTL toys growing up and I can tell you I definitely didn’t take care of them, most of them lost their paint so they looked like abominations with the silver
I miss my childhood!! I had, probably close to every damn one of these. Wish i wouldnt have lost them in a move, even though they were chipped to hell. Oh simpler times how i miss you.
When was younger I never saw any ertls in stores where I lived and I hate that cause I always wanted a ertl Henry and Edward if it hadn’t been discontinued I probably would’ve got lucky
I think us fans should band together, hopefully get a licence to produce toys for T&F, set up a company to bring back ERTL and with the technology we have now, imagine how accurate they'd look and the improvements that could be made for 21st century collectors and kids. I would love to release characters like Molly, Neville, Hank, Proteus and Hiro among others. Even some of the other rws characters like Stanley, Old Stuck Up and the NRM engines. Also re release the season 6/7 newbies like Arthur, Murdoch and Spencer because they are rare and expensive to buy in good condition. It's possible to do and honestly, who would complain about it?
I still have all my old Ertls, and shared them with my brother when he was a little guy. They'll be going to my nephew when he's a little older, though I'll hopefully have repaired and repainted a few of them by then.
