Matchbox Monday finishes the 2024 Convoy series

Another week, another final batch of 2024 gets the blog treatment. This time, the last Convoy batch of the year was released before the end of the year. If you remember, the last 2023 batch didn't arrive until early 2024, and included a 70th Anniversary themed set. It felt a little out of place. This time, there is no delay, although there is one small change.

As the rear of some of the packages shows a brand-new Convoy cab. The Freightliner eCascadia. It was going to debut with a Box Trailer and a Power Lift, but was dropped. However, it was so last minute that they dropped it, that the package artwork had already been finished. It is believed that the set was completely cancelled, but you never know, it may still appear in the future. Even though the Convoy series is now being phased out, with just some refreshed packages coming for 2025 and no new items planned. Never say never, but don't hold your breath on seeing it. In the meantime, we did get 3 sets. So, let's get on with them. As is often the case, the Wheel Collectors guys sent these over to me to review. The UK, if you do see them, are still on 2023.

First up, a package error. We have the MB1150 MBX Cabover making its 5th appearance in the Convoy series, and it is pulling.... an MBX Box Trailer? However, that really looks like the MBX Tanker Trailer to me. It was marked up as number 1 in a set of 10. However, this is the only batch being released, and there are only 3 sets in the batch. But, cast your mind back to 2023. There were 2 batches released, with 7 of the 8 sets numbered, and one left unnumbered. They were numbered 2-4 and 7-10. This means we were missing 1, 5 and 6. Funnily enough, 2 of the sets (the regular 2) are numbered, and 1 is number 1, the other number 5. Could this be a way of filling in gaps in the 2023 release list? There was a 2023 set with no number, and one of this batch has no number. Plus, the eCascadia should have debuted, but didn't. Somewhere along the way, something was likely number 6. The eCascadia set still keeps popping up in "sneak peek" threads on the internet (Instagram etc) as coming in 2025, yet it is still the original shot on a 2024 package. As we have seen, Matchbox have changed their look a little for 2025. Hence me still being doubtful over the eCascadia coming. But, as I said, never say never. I would love to be proved wrong here. So, back to this pack. Alongside the MBX Cabover and MBX Tanker Trailer (not Box Trailer), we also see a new basics casting. The MB1390 '77 Ford Courier. That was quite a shock seeing a basic debut as a Convoy extra.

The MBX Cabover is in orange, with a white tanker on the back. Both are sporting the Matchbox "M" fuel logo, which has been seen on a 2022 Action driver playset.

The Cabover, as always, gets 3 passes through the tampo machine. Front and both sides. But, I am sure in this case, more people are interested in the new casting.

This debuts in white with the same M logo on the side as the tanker had. Now, this is a complicated model. The Ford Courier can mean different things to different people, depending on where they come from. The original is the US Courier. It debuted in 1972 as a simple rebadged Mazda B-series. Ford were amazed at how popular the smaller Japanese pickups were becoming in the US, so teamed up with Mazda for a quick fix. A second generation debuted in 1977, and Ford simply carried on with the rebadging. The Courier continued in the US and Canada until 1982, and they finally set up their own pickup truck, the Ford Ranger, to replace it. Australia and New Zealand was also selling rebadged Mazda B-series as Fords, and continued through until the 3rd generation in 1985 and on to the 4th generation in 1998. They finally phased it out in 2007. However, if you lived in Europe, you might know of Ford Courier as something else. Ford debuted a Fiesta based van in 1991, and called it Courier (or Courrier in France with 2 "r"s in the middle), where it was sold until 2002. However, this was not a pickup, but more van-style. Brazil created an alternate Ford Courier in 1998, and sold locally until 2013. This was also based on a Fiesta, but was a simple pickup. So, if you live in Europe or Brazil, you might have a completely different vehicle in your head. When it comes to the casting, I do think the front end looks a little bland. The lights don't appear so inset as they are in real life, and the grille across the middle doesn't look detailed enough.

Aside from that, the rest of the casting is looking pretty decent. I like that they have added another 1970s era pickup to the portfolio. With the '75 Chevy Stepside being a bigger, bulkier looking pickup, this is a much simpler design.

And the rear does have Ford cast into it. Excellent. So, trying to figure out the scoring. I will start with the Courier, as it is a new casting. Do I think it deserves to be included as a casting? Definitely. Inclusion is getting a 10 from me. Casting? That front end is not detailed enough for my taste. Especially being a plastic section, that front grille and light depiction could have been much better. Those headlights recede quite far, and the grille has no mesh on it. And the Ford badge on the right side of the grille is not well depicted at all. I am scoring that a 7. Yeah, it was all about the bland front end. Design? Well, that is for the whole set.

The Courier is new, so before I get to the last category for scores, a quick base shot.

I love this look. Simple and effective. I hope this is the start of a lovely recurring theme, as it was used on a playset the other year. It was about time we had a tanker to use at the fuel station. So, design is a lovely 10 from me. Now, before I move on, let's get those MBX Cabovers together.

The MBX Cabover was based on an earlier MBX Rig I Super Convoy casting from 2009 shrunk a little to fit the regular Convoy range when it returned in 2020. It arrived in the first batch of the returning series in yellow with a Tanker Trailer rear, just like the new one. Except that was with a Dragon Slayer Petrol design.

There were 3 batches released in the first year, and the second batch also saw an MBX Cabover release. This time with the MBX Auto Transport rear. It also came in orange, just like the latest one did.

And the third batch also gave us an orange cab. This time it was attached to the MBX Box Trailer, with a Matchbox logo on it. In 2021, no new Convoys were released. 2022 saw just a single batch, and they were all just repeats of 2020 sets, and both the orange MBX Cabovers returned.

For 2023, the orange Matchbox liveried Box Trailer set carried forward yet again in batch A, but batch B finally gave us a new one. This was actually after 2024 had begun and was the final 70th Anniversary themed set in platinum. This batch is the only one we have seen in 2024.

This actually means that we have seen 5 different releases of the MBX Cabover and 3 of them were in orange. And the orange ones from before were carried forward to other batches (1 once, the other twice), so you could say there have been 8 batches released with MBX Cabovers, and 6 of them featuring orange cabs.

The other regular set is numbered 5 out of 10, fitting in with various gaps in the 2023 numbering. This features the MB1202 '20 Western Star 4900 towing the MBX Auto Transport. This comes with a white MB1036 '16 Chevy Camaro Convertible.

Car Transporters have always been popular. When Convoy debuted in 1982, it was the first thing they released. It stayed in the range until 1997. Why? it was popular. When they re-started Convoy in 2020, they debuted a new Transporter that was heavily influenced by the original. It appeared popular. They brought it back in 2022 for another outing (albeit with a different extra car), so I am surprised they haven't done a lot more with that rear. This is only its second time in use. And I just showed the debut, as it was pulled by the MBX Cabover. This time it has the Western Star to pull it. It looks really nice in white and green. A colour combination never used before, even on the old incarnation. So, that makes it nice.

It comes with a car to put on the back, for added play value. This time, it is the Chevy Camaro in white.

Which, at first, I thought was a repeated item. Repeated from where?

The 2024 Walmart exclusive Convertibles series release. Wait, that has only been out a few months, and they are repeating it already? Wait a sec, why do those wheel hubs look different?

Hold on, the interior is dark grey here, not black.

Hello, the licence plate is slightly different.

And bases are different greys. The question is, why do it in white? I am guessing they felt it was the best colour combination for the main Convoy truck. Could they have done it in bright green? Possibly? Maybe they should have done the Walmart exclusive in a different colour, to make it really stand out that they are 2 different releases. Maybe? But, this is a unique model. Only just, but it is only to be found in this set. So, I am happy enough. I love this set. I have been waiting for another car transporter ever since the first one arrived, so I am very happy to see this and am giving it a 10.

The Western Star had a dodgy start. Scheduled to debut in the 2020 basic range as MB4, it kept getting delayed, and delayed, and was finally ready for the final batch of 2021 (alongside the Mazda 3, that was also late). Or was it? Nope. Missed the cut. They did run a small amount, which were sent to Western Star themselves, and they sold them on their website.

It was then in the 2022 Convoy series, also in red, but with a Sriracha theme, with a tanker trailer.

2023 also saw another single issue, as it was a 9-pack exclusive in green.

While it also saw a Shell liveried Tanker Trailer release in Convoy.

Which means this is the first time the model has not been attached to either a tanker or to nothing.

And now we move on to the final set in the batch. This is the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express and Train Tender. It comes with the MB1447 '62 Ford Anglia, which is simply the one from the basic range earlier in the year returning. As far as I can tell, this is the last Harry Potter themed item that Matchbox is making. However, you never know. They could do something more. I think the MB694 Double Decker could get an extra section slotted in the middle and turned into the Knight Bus. Sell it as a Mattel Creations exclusive. That would be unusual. Anyway, on with the set.

The Hogwarts Express saw a number of appearances in the films. The train used is a restored Great Western Railway Hall Class train. It is the 5972 Oltan Hall, and 5972 was kept on the front when it was repainted from traditional green into red for the films. The train was originally built in Swindon in 1937, and was sent to Carmarthen, Wales for service. In 1951, it moved to Plymouth, England, and then on to Cardiff, Wales, where it ceased service in 1963. It was sold for scrap in 1964, but was later sold on to a company for restoration in 1981. It was steamed up for the first time in years in 1998. However, when the Harry Potter team wanted a train for the films, they rejected a newer style train that had been used in the books, and requested this. It got repainted, and the Hogwarts Castle name was painted on the sides. But, as I said, it was still engine number 5972. For those who remember Matchbox selling an 0-4-0 Steam Loco in the 1970s (and beyond), using the same guide, this is a 4-6-0 Steam Loco.

Included with the Hogwarts Express is the accompanying Train Tender, which stores the coal that feeds the engine. Sadly, I see that the tender has no hook at the back, so I guess we will never see any actual carriages for the train. Obviously I see the desire to include this set in the Matchbox portfolio, but with no carriages to add on (the films used 4 at first, then 5 later), and no tracks to put the train on, I do think there are a few missed opportunities. Just imagine if they had also created a playset with train tracks, Dementors and the train with additional carriages as well. It could have been an oval track (similar to the old Lesney style) with straight sections and curved ones to click together, and a small station section with platform 9 3/4 on it. Or something else. I don't know. That was just an initial thought that popped in my head.

The back of the train and front of the tender have hooks that spin around, and can slot together to enable them to click and roll in one.

As you can see in this look, the hooks are spun around to different positions on each part.

When it comes to the casting, the train section is made up of multiple parts that automatically give it colour breaks where needed. The smokebox at the front is in black, just as the real one is. The smokestack and steamdome are both in gold plastic, directly matching the colours of the real one, and these are attached to the main upper section which is metal, and lower section made of plastic. The cab is mainly plastic with a black roof attached, to mirror the real one again. They have done a good job in replicating the real train. Of course the cranks and steam chest along the lower end of the train are black on the real one, but as they have been cast as part of the lower body, they have been left red. Should they have attempted another colour break by including an additional part there? Perhaps it could have been tampo printed? Or, is it okay being left red? That's a tough one.

The front end has been detailed very well. The coupling is in gold (or coupler if you live in the US), and of course the real train's 5972 number is proudly displayed on the front.

I think they have done a good job with this model overall. I do think perhaps another plastic piece could have been done for the lowest part of the side, and it then could have been in black to better mirror the real one. Apart from that, I think they did a great job. Casting I am scoring a 9, and design a 9.5.

Obviously this has no MAN number. It is way too long. It is more like the rear sections of other convoy vehicles.

Whereas the tender that comes with it is small enough to be given a MAN number, but still isn't. It is a simple design. Red with a black lower, and a black section at the top which is loaded with all the coal.

While I have no idea how that hair got in the way, I also feel it missed out by not having a rear hook to attach anything more to it. Honestly, I think they could have made a larger set, and expanded this further with carriages. So, again, I am scoring a 9 for the casting, but a 10 for design. The black lowest section nailed it here.

Another base shot of this part.

As I mentioned, the set is coming with the same basic range release of the Ford Anglia we have already seen.

But is it 100% identical? Of course I have to check that out.

The shade of blue is fractional, but this is more about the rust.

It appears, at least on mine, that the new run for the Convoy set has the rust in a much deeper, hue. The original basic range one was quite a pale rust look in comparison.

Is that intentional or just pure coincidence? I am guessing the latter. But, for me, I have my basic and convoy Anglias.

And my Moving Parts one.

And, as we had the MB1450 Beauxbatons Carriage in Hitch & Haul as well, this does make for a nice little series.

I think it has been great seeing all this Harry Potter stuff. Which leads me to my final scoring. Inclusion. You might have noticed I skipped that before. I am giving this a 9. As I said, I just felt that with just the train and tender, they missed out a little on giving us the full Hogwarts Express. A larger playset with the 5 carriages, and a track, along with a station and perhaps Dementors could have enhanced this even further. There is not an awful lot more that can be done with the Harry Potter licence from the Matchbox side. I am guessing (as I don't pay a lot of attention) that Mattel will be selling other Harry Potter themed toys in other areas as well. Just imagine if we had an Action Driver set, which was just Privet Drive, and an exclusive 2000 Vauxhall Vectra Estate in silver included in the set as well. That could have been a fun new casting. I see possibilities, but imagine we won't be seeing anything further from the franchise in the Matchbox brand. We might see them repeat these, although I still think they could have done the Aviatormobile version of the Ford Anglia as well (burgundy with a white roof) in another Action Driver set with a Diagon Alley theme. Okay, I am going to stop with the ideas now.

As I am done with another report. Remarkably, we saw a number of new castings in this set. A convoy and a miniature. Quite unexpected.

Along with another 2 brand-new looks on other convoys.

And 2 other additional vehicles that I originally thought would be duplicated. Turned out one was different, and the other was enough of a variation for me.

Next week, I think I need to make a start on the final batch of basics. It was a little too large for me to do in one go, so I split it again. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.