A rough and brief timeline of events involving
The Southward Brand.
All credits go to Claude - verycoolclaude for fetching this information.
During
some general period in Late 2009
---------------------------------------------------------
The company "FenFa" (分发) made the first Southward Thomas sets and engines, along with the subline "Battery Operated Train Set"
The latter of which would be imported into The United States of America
These engines had some differences to the later southward, with Red Chassis' along with Bill/Ben (2010B) using Duck's face with slightly different printing.
Some plans were different from the start, with seemingly some engines being rejected. Most significantly FenFa planned to make Duncan, but was replaced by Bill last minute.
Later 2009 ( December (?) )
The color of the engines chassis wheels were changed from the early red to a black, which would remain for all future releases.
---------------------------------------------------------
2010
---------------------------------------------------------
2010 is quite an uneventful year for the Southward Brand.
Janurary / Feburary 2010
The rolling stock wheels were changed from a very light gray to a darker gray.
Late 2010
Thomas' face printing changes.
Examples of Early Face Printing , Note the eyebrows.
This concludes all the notable events during 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------
2011
---------------------------------------------------------
Early - Mid 2011
A new series of more "Realistic" Trains would replace the Battery Operated Train Set Moniker.
FenFa also produces a new CRH Train Set
Presumed Late 2011
FenFa produced another subline of Southward, being based off of the highly successful Chinese animation franchise
"Boonie Bears"
---------------------------------------------------------
2012-2015
---------------------------------------------------------
Nothing notable happens between these years , Southward simply does well.
With more sets being made throughout the years.
---------------------------------------------------------
2015
---------------------------------------------------------
Yuecheng (越诚玩具实业) steps into the picture. This marks a large shift in Southward, However it is only the start.
Yuecheng would produce sets with Track very similar to the Trackmaster Track.
However, modified to work with previous Southward/Tomica Plarail risers.
---------------------------------------------------------
2016
---------------------------------------------------------
Early - Mid 2016
Yuecheng makes many changes to the Southward line.
Thomas loses his Number 1, and the "2010A" on his cab.
His number 1 being replaced with the Yuecheng logo
Along with that, sometime in 2016 another version of Thomas was being created by Yuecheng, seemingly meant to replace the original
Southward Thomas.
However, this Thomas did not replcaed the 2010A Designed Thomas. He however was released in sets with LEGO Duplo-like blocks. Along with a stand-alone 3 pack.
This pack comes with a standard Version 2 Yuecheng Thomas, a couple of blocks and 2 freight cars with the ability to stack said blocks.
While most commonly being released with Trackmaster Track, there is a 191 Piece set with the standard Blue track, much like most Southward sets.
A few notable details with this Thomas :
The prototype depicts him with black wheels and no Pie Eyes (Pacman Eyes)
He is also the only Southward Thomas without the regular Shocked Face.
---------------------------------------------------------
2017
---------------------------------------------------------
Nothing notable happens.
---------------------------------------------------------
2018
---------------------------------------------------------
Mid 2018
The blush printing is removed, with face printings returning to normal for the time being.
---------------------------------------------------------
2019
---------------------------------------------------------
Yuecheng and FenFa would end up in heavy legal troubles.
They were forced to shut down their online TaoBao shop.
From this point onwards, production of Southward slowed down heavily.
Late 2019
To avoid further legal issues, Yuecheng created a short-lived line with a Thomas with a Yellow Face
---------------------------------------------------------
2020
---------------------------------------------------------
Mid 2020
Thomas returned to his normal face, all engines have hair fringes now.
Duck no longer has his original face and has Bill's face.
Some Thomas' carry Bill's face too.
The line was renamed to 'Mine Adventures'.
---------------------------------------------------------
2021-2023
---------------------------------------------------------
Nothing notable happens.
---------------------------------------------------------
2024
---------------------------------------------------------
Early 2024
Yuecheng makes another major change to the Southward range.
Duck, Rusty and some of the Realistic trains are discontinued.
With Thomas, Bill and the High Speed CRH Train being the only ones still produced.
Both Thomas engines were stripped of any Thomas related branding or themeing.
Now having a 'Year of the Dragon' name.
Remaining like this until 2025.
---------------------------------------------------------
2025
---------------------------------------------------------
Early 2025
Yuecheng discontinues the Year of The Dragon range.
Discontinuing the CRH Bullet train.
Leaving only Thomas and Bill still in production.
---------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
Jinbi Toys
---------------------------------------------------------
Jinbi Toys, was a producer of Southward-Like merchandise.
Most importantly they re-used rejected Duncan tooling.
Jinbi, much like FenFa also re-colored their engines in different colors. Thomas in Red and Blue, Duncan in Yellow and Green.
These engines are quite a bit harder to find than your average FenFa or Yuecheng 77 Piece Set.
新款双车头托马斯小火车 (New double-head Thomas train)
The video above showcases a Red Thomas and Green Duncan.
Due to not wanting to face legal troubles most likely, the Southward faces were swapped out for generic faces.
A video of this more generic, Non-Thomas face engine.
Feel the need to contribute? Email me at southward2010b@gmail.com
Get in contact! Please do back up your information with more than just
'uuhmm i heard it from my buddy tim'
That would be appreciated!
---------------------------------------------------------
The company "FenFa" (分发) made the first Southward Thomas sets and engines, along with the subline "Battery Operated Train Set"
The latter of which would be imported into The United States of America
These engines had some differences to the later southward, with Red Chassis' along with Bill/Ben (2010B) using Duck's face with slightly different printing.
Some plans were different from the start, with seemingly some engines being rejected. Most significantly FenFa planned to make Duncan, but was replaced by Bill last minute.
Later 2009 ( December (?) )
The color of the engines chassis wheels were changed from the early red to a black, which would remain for all future releases.
---------------------------------------------------------
2010
---------------------------------------------------------
2010 is quite an uneventful year for the Southward Brand.
Janurary / Feburary 2010
The rolling stock wheels were changed from a very light gray to a darker gray.
Late 2010
Thomas' face printing changes.
Examples of Early Face Printing , Note the eyebrows.
This concludes all the notable events during 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------
2011
---------------------------------------------------------
Early - Mid 2011
A new series of more "Realistic" Trains would replace the Battery Operated Train Set Moniker.
FenFa also produces a new CRH Train Set
Presumed Late 2011
FenFa produced another subline of Southward, being based off of the highly successful Chinese animation franchise
"Boonie Bears"
---------------------------------------------------------
2012-2015
---------------------------------------------------------
Nothing notable happens between these years , Southward simply does well.
With more sets being made throughout the years.
---------------------------------------------------------
2015
---------------------------------------------------------
Yuecheng (越诚玩具实业) steps into the picture. This marks a large shift in Southward, However it is only the start.
Yuecheng would produce sets with Track very similar to the Trackmaster Track.
However, modified to work with previous Southward/Tomica Plarail risers.
---------------------------------------------------------
2016
---------------------------------------------------------
Early - Mid 2016
Yuecheng makes many changes to the Southward line.
Thomas loses his Number 1, and the "2010A" on his cab.
His number 1 being replaced with the Yuecheng logo
Along with that, sometime in 2016 another version of Thomas was being created by Yuecheng, seemingly meant to replace the original
Southward Thomas.
However, this Thomas did not replcaed the 2010A Designed Thomas. He however was released in sets with LEGO Duplo-like blocks. Along with a stand-alone 3 pack.
This pack comes with a standard Version 2 Yuecheng Thomas, a couple of blocks and 2 freight cars with the ability to stack said blocks.
While most commonly being released with Trackmaster Track, there is a 191 Piece set with the standard Blue track, much like most Southward sets.
A few notable details with this Thomas :
The prototype depicts him with black wheels and no Pie Eyes (Pacman Eyes)
He is also the only Southward Thomas without the regular Shocked Face.
---------------------------------------------------------
2017
---------------------------------------------------------
Nothing notable happens.
---------------------------------------------------------
2018
---------------------------------------------------------
Mid 2018
The blush printing is removed, with face printings returning to normal for the time being.
---------------------------------------------------------
2019
---------------------------------------------------------
Yuecheng and FenFa would end up in heavy legal troubles.
They were forced to shut down their online TaoBao shop.
From this point onwards, production of Southward slowed down heavily.
Late 2019
To avoid further legal issues, Yuecheng created a short-lived line with a Thomas with a Yellow Face
---------------------------------------------------------
2020
---------------------------------------------------------
Mid 2020
Thomas returned to his normal face, all engines have hair fringes now.
Duck no longer has his original face and has Bill's face.
Some Thomas' carry Bill's face too.
The line was renamed to 'Mine Adventures'.
---------------------------------------------------------
2021-2023
---------------------------------------------------------
Nothing notable happens.
---------------------------------------------------------
2024
---------------------------------------------------------
Early 2024
Yuecheng makes another major change to the Southward range.
Duck, Rusty and some of the Realistic trains are discontinued.
With Thomas, Bill and the High Speed CRH Train being the only ones still produced.
Both Thomas engines were stripped of any Thomas related branding or themeing.
Now having a 'Year of the Dragon' name.
Remaining like this until 2025.
---------------------------------------------------------
2025
---------------------------------------------------------
Early 2025
Yuecheng discontinues the Year of The Dragon range.
Discontinuing the CRH Bullet train.
Leaving only Thomas and Bill still in production.
---------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
Jinbi Toys
---------------------------------------------------------
Jinbi Toys, was a producer of Southward-Like merchandise.
Most importantly they re-used rejected Duncan tooling.
Jinbi, much like FenFa also re-colored their engines in different colors. Thomas in Red and Blue, Duncan in Yellow and Green.
These engines are quite a bit harder to find than your average FenFa or Yuecheng 77 Piece Set.
新款双车头托马斯小火车 (New double-head Thomas train)
The video above showcases a Red Thomas and Green Duncan.
Due to not wanting to face legal troubles most likely, the Southward faces were swapped out for generic faces.
A video of this more generic, Non-Thomas face engine.
Feel the need to contribute? Email me at southward2010b@gmail.com
Get in contact! Please do back up your information with more than just
'uuhmm i heard it from my buddy tim'
That would be appreciated!