TrackMaster Lion of Sodor promo rolling stock

[Muddy Poppins]

Just thought I'd put this out there...
About 8 years ago there was an auction on eBay for a very rare (promotional only) Lion of Sodor cargo car, that was given to theaters as a display for the movie release of The Lion of Sodor... It was a flatbed with a statue of a lion, and it was never released or sold at retail.
At the time I was only focused on collecting all of the engines, so I didn't bid on it, and It sold for $40...
I have never seen another one listed, or even heard mention of it since.
Has anyone else ever heard of this, remember that auction, know anyone who has one, or ever even seen one these?

[Super]

Do you have a picture Muddy? Seems like I have seen something similar but I am not sure or may be confusing it with something else.

[Muddy Poppins]

No Super I don't have the picture... It was a flat bed with a lion statue. I think there is a Take'nPlay version that was sold commercially, and there is a similar Ttackmaster blue flatbed that has a bronze horse statue too, but I've never seen another lion car again.

[Off The Rails]

I’m intrigued by the notion that they released a Thomas movie in theaters! I thought that ended with the train wreck that was The Magic Railway.

I’d like to see this piece of rolling stock though. It sounds like neat, unusual part of Trackmaster history.

[leylandvictory2]

There is indeed a take along version. In fact they are some what common based what I found on the Internet

[Super]

So does the flatbed look like this two level one where instead of the horse you have a Lion. If so what color is the flatbed and is the Lion sitting or standing?

[Muddy Poppins]

Yes Super a flatbed just like that!
I think it was a sitting gold statue, but I can't remember the color of the flatbed, or honestly if any of that is right.
I only looked at the thumb nail once and dismissed it.
But I have always remembered the listing description. I think I wish I would've bought it. Lol

[Super]

Does he look like this sitting Take n Play?

[jdogman]

Never heard of this item, but it certainly sounds like a thing that could've existed.

[Muddy Poppins]

Does he look like this sitting Take n Play?


Yes, but the lion sits lower and is taller and thinner, and not so bulky. 

[Tharazero1]

just reading this from the rarest tomy thomas trains this thread should get a revive

so from that thread the lion would seem to sit on this blue flatbed

[BradyLikesTrains]

Could this be the flatbed? It can be seen on the big layout, on the back side of the TrackMaster 2011 and 2012 checklists, on a slope next to Cranky. 

[Tharazero1]

It could be, but it probably its more likely that it is a prototype of a flatbed. I could be wrong though, because I've never seen the blue flatbed that the Sodor Lion Statue comes on

[DuckGWR]

Any chance this rings a bell?
https://twitter.com/SamTheTrainFan/statu...40001?s=09


Update: It appears this is a custom item. The log wagon appears to be a painted Tomy era one and the lion has the product code for the Take n Play lion pack underneath.

[fruitbat1001]

Was this the listing photo?

Source: THOMAS TRAIN TOMY TRACKMASTER MOTORIZED IMPOSSIBLY RARE AUTHENTIC LION OF SODOR | #371059681 (worthpoint.com)