Hello and welcome back to another riveting edition of my weekly Quick Hits! This special showcase is going to break the norm as we take the feature off of model trains and give a special spotlight to the crazy mix of characters that call Trainz their home. We’ve got everybody from Scooby Doo to the Beatles die-cast hanging out on our shelves, and I think it’s a perfect time to give them their own feature. With the holidays fast approaching, why not find the perfect gift early? So grab the keys to the Mystery Machine as we get ready to uncover all of the great characters we have running around Trainz.com!
Sweet Ride Alert: Cookie Monster’s VW Bus Rolls In
Jada Toys 31751 1:24 1963 Volkswagen Bus Truck with Cookie Monster Figure
Well, I don’t see any better way than to start things off with….cookies! Ok, maybe we won’t get any because Sesame Street’s very own beloved Cookie Monster is handing them out. That’s alright, we’ll get 'em next time! In the meantime, let’s take a look at this awesome VW Bus that comes covered in cookies and, of course, has its own Cookie Monster figure. Cookie Monster and the groovy VW Bus pictured above are made by Jada Toys, which has been making some of the coolest die-cast collectibles since 1999. They’ve got a great reputation, and a solid portfolio of some of pop culture’s most beloved characters in all sorts of unique designs.
I loved Cookie Monster growing up – and always looked forward to catching up with Sesame Street after I got home from school. Sesame Street has been educating and entertaining children ever since its debut way back in 1969, and it continues to live on through younger generations eager to meet Elmo, Cookie Monster, and the rest of Sesame Street’s lovable cast. If you’ve got your own Cookie Monster in your life, this is the perfect gift to satisfy that mighty sweet tooth! I’m getting such a nostalgia rush looking at this thing!
With the Holidays fast approaching, you never know what might show up with our products department
- Manufacturer: Jada Toys
- Model Number: 31751
- Category : Die-Cast
Mystery Machine Rolls In: Scooby-Doo Solves the Case
Jada Toys 31720 1:24 The Mystery Machine with Scooby Doo and Shaggy Figures
You may remember I mentioned Jada Toys has a ton of great characters from all realms of pop culture during the Cookie Monster feature, and they’re at it again! That’s right, Scoobert Doobert Doo and his best friend Shaggy are here, and do a great job solving mysteries all over Trainz, from finding Scott’s missing BatMobile to catching the crazy person who put salt in the break room sugar dispenser.
This is another big nostalgia kick for me, and I can still remember all of the words to the original song from the 60s cartoon. Scooby Doo at Trainz is no surprise as this icon has been licensed and featured on a variety of toys for more than half a century. Still ever popular, younger generations are shouting “Scooby Doo, where are you?” just like so many of us did as kids growing up with the crime solving tennagers and their beloved pup.
- Manufacturer: Jada Toys
- Model Number: 31720
- Category: Die-Cast
Who You Gonna Call? Iconic ECTO-1 Returns. A Ghostbusting Classic
Jada Toys 99731 1:24 Hollywood Rides Ghostbusters ECTO-1 Diecast Vehicle
“Who you gonna call?” Ghostbusters! Wow, I hope I’m allowed to use that. Jada Toys goes Hollywood, too, because the big screen is in no way too big for this manufacturer! The Ectomobile is the ultimate utility vehicle for fighting restless spirits and pesky specters. Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and the rest of the gang taught us that ‘we ain’t scared of no ghost” during the 80s riding around in the converted 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor that was actually an ambulance turned into a ghost fighting mobile!
All of us who had the pleasure of growing up with this film still have memories of a giant Stay-Puft marshmallow man trudging through Manhattan with that big goofy smile drawn across its face. I didn’t know whether to be scared or to laugh – most of us went with the latter.
This is a great piece that’ll make anybody collecting die-cast cars excited to add a unique car to their collection.
- Manufacturer: Jada Toys
- Model Number: 99731
- Category: Die-Cast
All Aboard the Yellow Submarine: A Beatles Classic Returns
Corgi CC05401 1:36 The Beatles Yellow Submarine
Na na na naaa nanana naaaaa!! Hey Juuude… Yeah, Beatle-mania runs rampant here at Trainz.com too! Looks like Jada Toys is getting a break as we shift our attention to Corgi and this beautiful replica of the Yellow Submarine from the famous 1968 film of the same name. This Yellow Submarine was actually released in 2018 to commemorate 50 years of the Yellow Submarine film, and it even features all 4 Beatles when you press a little button on the submarine.
They’re one of those bands that’s so famous you have at least one favorite song out of their catalog even if you’re not a huge fan of the band. I love “Hey Jude” myself, and am the first to belt out a couple of notes when we reach that chorus. Run in advance if you’re near me – I’m not a very good singer.
Cartoon Chaos Rolls In: Road Runner Aquarium Car Hits the Track
Lionel 2128230 O Looney Tunes Road Runner Aquarium Car
Nearing the end, I’ve had to go back to our model train roots, and couldn’t resist featuring something for your layout here. What better than with some Looney Tunes operating car rolling stock? The final entry in the showcase is another giant we grew up alongside, and that’s the Looney Tunes empire. Looney Tunes will soon be nearing the century mark. The Looney Tunes gang has been everywhere, from playing basketball with Michael Jordan to kids’ lunch boxes. So it was only a matter of time before they made their debut in the world of model trains.
Lionel sure loves to give these cartoon icons their own Aquarium car, and that’s what we got here. Though I’m not complaining, as this fun little freight car features Wylie Coyote and his nemesis, the always elusive Roadrunner! Running this piece on a desert layout would literally be one of the greatest uses of model trains, and I’d love to see the two on their chase as they round layouts.