Matchbox Monday tackles the third Working Batch of 2024

This week is a rather simple week for me. Working Rigs are a small series from Matchbox, and on average, a batch will contain 4 models. Batch C of 2024 is average. 4 releases, of which 3 are carry forwards from previous years. It does appear to be more carry forward than new. I don't know how that affects overall sales, especially as they are not sold in many countries. I remember back in 2009 being asked if I collect them by Matchbox, and saying no. At the time, it was purely down to them being too long to fit in carry cases. However, Wheel Collectors wanted me to review them, so have now added them to my collection. This does mean that many items from before 2020 are not in my collection. I have not exactly gone into the history and filled in gaps. I have simply piled up everything new that they send for review. So, you will find when I go through these, I am treating them like my first time seeing them, because in many cases, they are. In that respect, when it comes to kids who phase in and out of getting toy cars, these older items may not feel old. To them, it is also their first time seeing them. So, I don't particularly see this as a bad thing. Anyway, enough rambling, let's get on with the models.

So, to start with, I am looking at the one new livery. This is the RW003 Pierce Quantum Aerial Ladder Truck. It takes the number 2 slot in the 2024 range, and comes in a lovely white design.

The model is in white, and features this Matchbox County Fire Dept livery. You may have seen it before, and if you follow me on Instagram (name: @davidjtilley) you will know exactly where you have seen it. The same livery was used on the Moving Parts release of the MB1310 '19 Ram Ambulance. So, with the livery being repeated, I think this could become a new recurring theme. I will be looking out for further releases.

As is the case with most Working Rigs, they do have the facility in the budget to run more than 2 passes through the tampo machine, so this sees the sides and front detailed. I think this is a lovely livery, I like these simple and realistic designs.

Coupled with the moving, rotating and extending ladder, adding more fun to the model, I think this is one of the nicest Working Rigs of the year. It is a shame that they are not sold in more places. I will give this a 10 out of 10.

As I said, releases before 2020 are a bit thin on the ground for me. So, a quick recap of those from before the current decade. 2009 was a triple debut, as castings were thin on the ground in year 1. A fluorescent yellow Bernalillo County, red San Diego and white New Orleans release made up year 1. However, it was never used again in the original single pack run of what was known as Real Working Rigs as a single. But, it did see another fluorescent yellow release in the 2012 Mission Force Fire Crew Set. When the series returned in 2018, it did not see another release until this red and white one in 2020.

And last year saw its second modern outing in a platinum 70th Anniversary issue.

Which means, that with this release, the first time it has been used in 2 consecutive years, I am up to 3 of the 7 issues to date. One day I may go back and start filling in gaps. Singles are easy, but trying to get the Mission Force as singles could be tough.  The daft thing is, I had all the Mission Force models as I got the packs for the basics, but at the time gave away all the others. Do I regret that action? Yes and no. They were given to kids. That is a good thing. Not having them now and wanting them? Yeah, it is a little awkward.Still, I can't do anything about that, so I don't dwell on it.

So, obviously, all the rest are carry forwards. Wait, don't go. Please. I am still enjoying them. This is another classic. The RW006 International DuraStar 4400 Flatbed. It takes the number 6 slot in the series, and comes in white.

This model is a repeat of the debut release in 2009. As I said, I don't have that, so this is something new for me to look at. Which is nice, as we have seen it repeated a few times.

I do love this model for the play value. And the fact that it does work with basics as well, fitting them on the back, and across the pull-out extra piece, makes it great fun. The livery is a simple MBX one, and is something that is still being done on modern liveries (and names on models), so works very well in this current era.

Sure, if you have been collecting these since day 1, you might already own 2 of them. It was the debut release of the casting in 2009, and was the first release of it when the series returned, and that was in 2019. Both were before my time, and I am not sure whether all changes happened between 2009 and 2019, or if some were between 2019 and 2024. But, one thing that is definitely an original deletion was the light bar across the top being tampo printed. The 2019 was also plain. But, the model has seen small changes to the tampo detailing, with the rear lights gaining a black surround, and the base being updated. So, it is always worth checking carry forwards for anything that is different.

The model saw a second 2009 release in teal, and in 2010 a burgundy outing. Neither have been brought forward to date, but the return of Working Rigs in 2018 (losing the "Real" part of the name, but continuing with the RW numbering scheme for castings) saw a certain blue release which was carried forward to a Mission Force set in 2020 (which is where I first got it).

As noted, this livery was the first to carry forward in 2019, and then 2020 saw another white issue in the regular series (on top of that repeat for Mission Force).

For 2021, we saw the last new look to date for this casting, as this lovely red model was released in the set.

While 2022 saw the 2018 and 2020 Mission Force repeated on a third outing. Just like this model is actually on its third outing.

So, I have 4 of the different looks out of 6 released to date. With the 2009 teal and 2010 burgundy not getting repeated outings to date, I may end up hunting them down. I may just wait to see if they come back.

Next up is another of the original castings. RW005 International WorkStar 7500 Dump Truck. Taking the number 15 slot in the set of 16, this model is also a repeat of the 2009 debut in blue.

This is only the second time that we have seen this look, as it has not been repeated until now. So it is the first time that I have had the chance to look at it up close. I like it. A simple look with just Construction written on the side. That was definitely something akin to the classics of the 1970s and 1980s.

There are some easy to spot changes between the debut release and this carry forward. For starters, the base and grille were originally chromed. This is left grey. The overhang over the cab and the stepped front of the dump were tampo printed originally, but are no longer detailed. I am hearing the base is updated with the details as all early RW models have all been updated.

If they are carrying forward, I am happy to see something refreshed after 15 years. The last one was refreshed after 10, and then a second time after 5 more years. When it had others that could be brought forward as well. This also has one more that can come forward. Later in 2009, a second outing occurred with a Weise Bros purple and black model. However, Weise Bros was named after Dave Weise, who used to work for them. I do not know all the legalities for using former Matchbox member liveries? Or if they would even want to? This is because the other earlier release, which occurred in 2010, has been seen 3 times since!

The Road King issue from 2010 was carried forward to 2019, 2021 and 2023! Yes, it has had 4 outings. The one I show is the 2021 issue. The 2019 was much redder on the cab, but 2023 was identical to 2021.

There has also been a new look debuting this decade. The 2020 (and 2022) releases were orange and white with a Malik livery. Being a former Ambassador (Shabbir Malik), it is easier to keep going with repeats.

But, I have to admit, after so many outings, this model is only on 4 releases. And I have 3 of them. For some reason, it makes an appearance every year in the new run of Working Rigs. Will we see the Weise Bros livery return next year? Tentative plans (as shown at the 2025 line preview), showed that it is still scheduled for a release, and the livery shown on the slide was the Weise Bros one. We will wait and see.

The final release of the batch is the only casting that was not a part of the 2009 debut year releases. The RW023 GMC C8500 Topkick Tree Trimming Truck was first released in 2012. However, in keeping with tradition, this is a repeat of that debut look in white. It takes the number 16 slot in the series.

This is one of Michael Heralda's classic designs. It does give a little bit of a Ranec vibe, but is obviously not one of his Ranec creations. But, I do like this look. Orange Towne Green Division. With the model seeing orange and green added to the tampo. Quite a clever little look. I do like Michael's designs.

This is the first time that the model has seen a second outing. I am not seeing much of a change between this and the debut. The platform on the top in orange does look a little darker than before, but this is a very similar repeat.

But, with 12 years between its original run and the new one, when it comes to the kids (who are the real market for these), I think this is perfectly fine to re-issue.

This model does have a lot of play value, and a platform that does come off. I wonder how many of those get lost? I like the look and am happy to own it now. Even if I wasn't too fussed in 2012.

And the best part about this? I actually own all the different looks. Granted, there are not as many. When it returned in 2022, the model was given a new look for the release. It was in green with an Ozima (another former ambassador) livery.

And in 2023, they brought back the only other release from the original run. After this 2012 debut, the model was used in 2013 in pale blue with a Mr Green's Arbor Machine livery. It returned for 2023.

So, yes, these are the only 3 liveries released to date. Circling around from white, through pale blue to green, then back to pale blue and then white. It is currently not scheduled for a 2025 outing, but I think when it does see another outing, it should be in a new look. It is too early to bring back Terry Ozima's livery (although he may disagree, ha ha).

Well, that appears to be it for this week. I have to admit, I am currently on holiday (or vacation if you live in the USA). I am simply taking a little breather from most things to relax and take it easy, so didn't want to do a big report. I hope you don't mind. There was only 1 new outing to look at.

There were 3 carry forwards. But, if you are like me and have got into these lately (I am since the turn of the decade), then these were also new. If you have been a Working Rig fan since day 1, you are probably fed up seeing so much carried forward. I understand the frustration with that. It does seem like the whole series each year is more carry forwards than anything else. But, it keeps plugging away, and most things do tend to sell through, so they obviously know what they are doing. I still think that a minimum of 5 years should be the line from where they look at carrying things forward.

So, as these head off, attention turns to next week. It will be a few random models next time out. Just a couple of additions that I decided to post by themselves. Yet, somehow I have many more pictures than I do here. Still, that means more waffling. Ha ha! Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.