TrackMaster Bill & Ben Never Released in EU or AU?

Hi everyone, I've been curious lately about Bill and Ben, since both engines were never made for the EU and AU TrackMaster TOMY range. I'm confused as to why this is as every single other engine was made, at least the ones that had three cars. Is there any reason why Bill & Ben were never released in their TrackMaster TOMY form?

Also I just bought a TrackMaster TOMY Murdoch new in box, it cost me £70 / $100 without shipping. Was it worth it, in the sense of the current value of the item? I never see any TrackMaster TOMY Murdochs around ever...

Perhaps there is not enough demand to release Bill and Ben. To find Murdoch, try looking through a trackmaster lot. That's how I acquired Murdoch.

Perhaps that was the case. Its surprising though out of all the engines only they were never re-boxed. Possibly they had too many overstocks left for there to be any need to make new boxes for the same two engines.

And I already got Murdoch new in box, but thanks for the tip!

I know Bill was never released on his own in Japan, Ben was produced everywhere.

That is true there is only one version of Bill that came in three car pack. In my opinion, do get as many of him as possible because he was also the only engine to ever come with four coal loads, I'm surprised no other engines had them!

[Ucwepn]

I bought Trackmaster Bill at Myer here in Melbourne (there's a review on my channel). My Ben is an older HiT Ben that I got in a lot but I think I got a newer Ben later and that along with the Bill got the red wheels for my mod.

   

Thanks for the information Ucwepn, and super cool mod! Your Bill was a Fisher Price TrackMaster right?

And I personally feel like Thomas and Friends ended by Season 7 (UK version), so I wouldn't make CGI Bill and Ben with red wheels. S7 is still one of my all time favourite seasons, so many memorable episodes and amazing characters, especially Arthur and Murdoch.

[Ucwepn]

Yes one of the first fisher price tm