July 2018 Thoughts

July 2018 --- Thoughts

I can’t recall really how I got the idea to visit the modeltrain store of Dipl.-Ing. Ernst Peyker in Pörtschach am Wörthersee ( Civil engineer Ernst Peyker of Poertschach on Lake Woerth). Maybe it was this combination of LGB and vacation. Bottom line—I did it! During the Passover Holiday I was at the Lake Woerth (Austria)  , booked into the Hotel „Villa Rainer“ and toured the  local attractions, including the  wonderful hotel itself and their cuisine.
Passover Monday I had my GPS show me how to get to „Seeuferstraße 117“ in Pörtschach. I just wanted to have a look, after all it was a Holiday. But Mr. Peyker had already seen me and asked me in. Again, thank you.
What followed was a short meeting ( alas for almost an hour) and agreeing on an appointment a few days later. Imagine a property of about ½ an acre ( which is a lot around Lake Woerth, the average property size is 1/10 of an acre, if at all) with a nice big home on it, with a retail store, workshop and warehouse. And a lot (!) of ‘red boxes’ the type of boxes us “LGB’ers“dream about.... 

 

At the official visit I was granted insight into the huge LGB outdoor layout, looked inside  the house and got to see ‚inside’ this LGB specialist. I can say this: we found a lot of common grounds in our comprehensive talks….. 
Beginning of June the LGB New No 49180 was delivered: two Saxonian DR rolling cars, which surprisingly were announced as “Surprise New Item” at the “IMA” in Goeppingen in Fall of 2017 (IMA is the International Model Railway Convention which is held jointly with the Maerklin-Fair). Why they couldn’t wait until Summer 2018 to deliver this surprise or just incorporated it into the regular New Item program 2018 is beyond me. They have a small extra brochure which you can check out via this link
LGB flyer

I also want to show you some photos to compare this to the similar Magnus rolling car by Christian Hoehne, which was already available years ago.
LGB-rolling car:

 rolling car with narrow gauge tank car: 

  

Two coupled rolling cars with standard gauge box cars: 

 

Rolling cars by LGB and Magnus, size comparison: 
  

It’s quite visible that the LGB rolling cars (in contrast to their huge packaging) are too small. Sad though—because they are actually made quite well.

Newly delivered as well are the gold colored Anniversary Stainz No. 20216, the „Wolfgang Richter“-baggage car No. 32191 and the gondola „Wernesgrüner“ No. 32352.

I’ve put the Stainz next to the also golden colored one by Modell-Land and check this out: LGB became quite frugal: the connecting rods in grey plastic, roof not painted and no shadow lines, no white markings on the front nor rear bumpers. One cheap “frugal-edition’ at a high price and on their Anniversary? I don’t get it....
 

  
The baggage car was labeled in English only, showing„Freight Mail“ and „Railway Post Office“. I do understand that they didn’t want to have 2 different labeled cars in their program, - but they could have labeled both sides differently—as was done in the past on the 4-axle LGB tank car
I do like the gondola quite well -  especially since the lights at the bar can be switched on via the power pickup at the metal wheels. If it would be fitted with some pretty “Preiser” figurines it’ll make quite a statement.

   

 

I’ve told myself not to say anything about the high level of(sales)prices anymore. I think they are way to high , in general, alas nothing will change at Märklin in this regard. It is the literally vicious circle. Prices are increasing regularly which leads to fewer people being able to purchase LGB which leads to decreasing demand for LGB. At the same time the demand for used LGB items increases. That’s the way the cookie crumbles, my dear gentlemen from Goeppingen….

Subject Change:

The  supplemental book to the „LGB-Kompendium“, published by Meliset Kartenhaus-Verlag. A ‚must’ for all LGB-collectors („ 50 Years of LGB“)
  

 

Also interesting is  the special-catalog for  USA „US Models for 2018“, containing some models available only in USA, - even though they are just color and label versions. For instance a „Pink Train Starter Set“ Nr. 72306 (-check my September 2017- Thoughts). 20 years ago collectors might have gone crazy to re-import such a product. But nowadays.....

And then there is one more news: On June 28 , 2018 our web page “LGB Freunde Much” registered the 1 millionth  reader! Crazy! We started out on March 1, 20016 with news to the LGB’er- the year of LGB bankruptcy. We just wanted to to something being frustrated and sad back then. Well, maybe we should have asked for $ 1.00 from each reader 

In this regard – warmest wishes

H.-Jürgen Neumann
 

Collector News (1985)

First published in Sept. 1985 in No.1 “Spur II Nachrichten” by HJ Neumann

 (all text in Italic by Yours truly, interpreting historic circumstances)

Collector News

Preface

To all those LGB Friends who did not yet delve into the subject “Specialties” here are some explanatory notes:

Since 1981 (LGB) manufactured some specialty packages and some specialty cars which are actually deviations in color and labeling but definitely not new models.

To differentiate:

1. Export models matching the demand of the individual export destination
2. Advertisement models referring to certain companies or to a certain event.

During the first few years production volume was 100, meanwhile it increased to 1,000 (per series).

Below please find a list displaying the specialty items issued so far:

1. Specialty items with deviations in color and labeling

LGB No    Item                                                               Volume                       Issued

1981     Lehmann Anniversary Train                                     20,000                      1981

            Anniversary car 100 years Luetgenau                           100                      1981

20502   FHS Specialty Train Kit                                              1,000                      1982

1982     Anniversary car 101 Years Lehmann                            10,000                   1982

4002/69 FHS container car                                                          2,000                   1982

20512   Furka-Oberalp Specialty train pack                                2,000                     1983

20513   FHS Specialty Train Pack                                               1,000                    1983

20514   DHS Specialty Train Pack                                             1,000                      1983

4003D  DHS Container car                                                         1,000                      1983

4031     FHS boxcar                                                                     1,000                      1983

             Anniv. Car 1100 Year City of Duisburg                         100                         1983

20701   US Specialty Train “Little Billy”                                   2,000                        1983

20412PV  Phillipps Specialty Train Pack                                   1,000                       1983

20301 BZ The Blue Train                                                     20,000                            1983

1983   Anniversary Train 102 Years Lehmann                     10,000                            1983

            Brinkmann specialty car boxcar w/sticker                  1,000                             1983

           Florsheim specialty car Caboose w/sticker                  1,000                              1983

20401 RZ  The Red Train                                                      15,000                             1984

20520 MC Specialty Train Prinzgauer Bahn(Rail)                 1,000                             1984

20526 Gingerbread Specialty Train                                          1,000                            1984

20301BP US Specialty Train Buffalo Pass                              2,000                            1984

20301MF US Specialty Train Marshall Field                        1,000                              1984

4071   US Specialty Train Agency express                           2,000                               1984

4072  US Specialty Cra Coca-Cola                                       2,000                              1984

4003SR Container car “Spielzeug Ring”                             1,000                               1984

4033V    Vedes Boxcar                                                        1,000                              1984

1984       Anniversary car 103 Years Lehmann                  10,000                             1984

20528     Schweiger Specialty Train Kit                              1,000                              1985

20150   Anniversary Train 150 Years German Railroad   10,000                              1985

20532  Bundesgartenschau Express                                      600                                1985

1985     Anniversary car 104 Jahre Lehmann                    15,000                               1985

3150   Coat of Arms car                                                     10,000                               1985

2. Specialty Packs with deviating compilation

20501                                 Vedes                                                                              1982

20518 EK                       Einkaufsring                                                                        1984

20522                              FHS                                                                                    1984

20519                             Einkaufsgemeinschaft                                                          1984

3. Specialty Items initiated by private individuals

                      Cluss Brewery D                                             100                                 1984

4040W  Tank car, all white “USA”                                                                             1984

4070NC  US car Tiffany                                                                                              1984

LGB Collector’s Page

Philips Train

Image courtesy of Trainz.com—Image not identical to original article

Philips Company (as of 2018 Royal Philips/Netherlands) received a specialty train pack in the Fall of 1983, which was heading to the video departments of big Radio/TV retail stores. There customers interested in cameras could focus on LGB.

Of the –“ROM Train” – named after a character in the video game ‘ commander Rom’ – a LGB specialty item, 1,000 packages were supplied (to stores).

The package contains a Schoema Diesel loco (Philips loco1) and two 2-axle container cars. Base color is in darker blue while the cars display prints – white on red-purple background- “Viedeospiele von Philips” (video games by Philips) plus an image of ‘commander Rom’ ( see above).

Since the train was not meant to go into retail itself (merely a dealer prop), it poses one of the biggest rarities, in our opinion.

(Yours Truly: as of 2018, the train set is available for anywhere between US$ 345.00 to $525.00, mainly in Europe.)

 Current LGB Specialty Items

“Schweiger” Specialty Train (LGB No 20528)

Honoring the anniversary of 150 years of railroads the Schweiger Co, Nuremberg issued a specialty pack in January with an edition of 1,000. The train package which was sold out at Schweiger by June, contains a Stainz loco and two passenger cars in yellow paint finish and various labeling. The locomotives display an engraved serial number on golden font.

Please also note that the trains No 1 -60 contain a loco where the boiler is NOT painted golden but painted in black.

It is a very pretty train color-wise. One is obliged to think it’s stealing the show from the Lehmann Anniversary Train.

Bundesgartenschau Express—National Garden Show Express

On the occasion of the National Garden Show in Berlin (LGB) issued a specialty train edition of 600. According to Berlin sources a production fault decreased the usually manufactured 1,000 packs. (?) (This question mark was posted by H Neumann)

The train package contains 2 dark blue painted passenger cars labeled ‘Bundesgartenschau Express” and “Berlin, 1985” The as well included Stainz locomotive is unfortunately painted in (its) standard light-green. A dark blue paint would have been definitely fitting better, plus that would have created a true complete specialty train. Literally somebody was ruining a wonderful thing by scrimping on the finishes.

This small edition might in the end become a rarity.

Image courtesy of Trainz.com, image not identical to original magazine-image

 (YT: as of 2018 the train set # 20532 is available for US$ 300.00)

                                                                                                

Gauge II News 1st Issue 1985

First published in Sept. 1985 in No.1 “Spur II Nachrichten” by HJ Neumann

 (all text in Italic by Yours truly, interpreting historic circumstances)

New Items from E.P.Lehmann,"LGB"

To report about new products here and now that were (originally)presented at the Toy Fair 1985  seems ridiculous. (Traditionally, the Nuremberg Toy Fair is being held the first week each February).

You've already read all about that in the leading Model Hobby Train magazines, especially the “LGB Depesche No.49”.

Instead, we are listing the announced new products 1985  in delivered order(to dealers. Remember dear reader- for decades LGB would present locos and cars at the Toy Fair or in their catalog in early Spring and have it at their dealers by Christmas, maybe.)

LGB #                                    Article

1985                                                       End car of the LGB Anniversary Train 1981

4034                                                       Cardinal beer car

4032                                                        Nestle chocolate car

20150                      Anniversary Train “150 years German Railway” **

1056                                                       Decoupling track with new EPL*** drive

5049                                                       Figurines – US passengers

5027                                                        Assortment of wild animals for Circus car

2018D                     Mogul tender steam locomotive

** German Railway is a ‘created fact’ created by LGB. In 1835 there were roughly 34 German speaking dukedoms /kingdoms loosely held together in the German League, all still a monarchy in what is now roughly called Germany. Something similar to today’s Germany was first created under Bismarck in 1876 but was still headed by the German Emperor.

 ***EPL Ernst Paul Lehmann

 ( the 'New Items' articles on page 4+5 continue with news from Chr.Hoehne-Magnus,Wimmer model built,Pola,Regner and Mebanol-- since those brands were often not available in the USA we left them out,here)

 II- Gauge'y'- our columnist

Now we've got it!! The first guaranteed limited model for friends of Gauge II: Pola's US water tower as a ready-to-use model in a certified volume of 2900.

For those of you asking yourself: why exactly 2900 and not 2500 or 4200, your columnist will lift the secret. Well: what was the number that caused a furor from a Goeppingen manufacturer (Maerklin is located in Goeppingen)--??

Yep, 3300 ! Now, if you just want to avoid trouble with those 10%-er speculators- you just manufacture 10% less-- makes 2900! See. that was easy--- or???

LGB in USA

We'd also like to publish specialty news for the LGB fan who's interested in the specialty area of US-trains, in American style layouts or in collecting American model(trains).

Dr. Baltzer, Aachen, is a specialist in this area. He kindly agreed to report about this subject in our  No 2 issue (Spur II Nachrichten” next month, especially about the LGB club of America. (Please click on https://lgbyarner.blogspot.com/2013/05/lgb-in-usa-1985-part-3.html for this article)

America has always been the most important export destination for LGB. The unfavorably high US Dollar exchange rate has furthermore increased the already high American demand for garden trains “Made in Germany”.

Those who study the Classifieds of the ‘Model Railroader” will find divers offers by LGB dealers offering collectors items even rare in Germany. Whether it is a Philips or gingerbread train or even the Anniversary Train 1981 ( 1,250 US$)*** all are on offer.

(*** 1,250 US $ in 1981 for a model train is the equivalent of roughly US$ 4,000 today.)

Even if you are asking yourself sometimes: how 'those people over there' (a common German term for people living on the greener-grass-side) manage to get these items- you have ungrudgingly  to accept the obvious purchase organization.

This was one of the reasons why we – the Mucher Modelttrain Co. – are compiling various divers LGB products and then offer them for purchase.

Including specialty packages/kits and specialty cars made only for the US market by LGB.

In this regard the prettiest model so far is the 4-axle “Coca-Cola car” No 4072.

We are not convinced, however, of the quality offered in the specialty car No 4070NC that LGB had just souped up in their own workshop; with a “Tiffany Summer & Winter” print not even remotely close to their usual quality standard.

The secret around the “Orient-Express’ car # 3097 will be lifted in Issue No 2 of this magazine.
+++++++++++++++++to be continued with the 2nd part of issue #1 1985

All Aboard For News From Klaus

TrainCraft by Klaus is starting a new blog and articles series for friends, fans and enthusiasts of LGB Model Trains. And there’s a good reason for it: Klaus has started rummaging through his vast collection(s), workshop stockpile, spare parts, memorabilia. All of them rare, some odd and a few even downright peculiar.

TrainCraft by Klaus will share and offer Klaus’ picks by blog and/ or email to our combined clientele.

So—get ready and  ALL ABOARD==== First Stop: articles from the heydays of LGB mixed with brand new articles from 2017/2018. The series of articles originated in German in the “Spur II Nachrichten” and “IIm Online Nachrichten” by Hans-Juergen Neumann. Mr. Neumann is a devoted LGB fan, a major collector, a close friend to Wolfgang Richter,  and a journalist reporting predominantly about LGB and G-Scale for more than 40 years-- Hans-Juergen Neumann orchestrated the importance of LGB as much as did Wolfgang Richter, Klaus Baumann, Guenter Ruhland and Klaus Stork.

Wolfgang Richter passed away in 2012, Klaus Baumann (Sales and Marketing VP LGB) and Guenter Ruhland (Technical Director LGB) are long retired and in their 80’s (as of 2018).

Your Famous Klaus, Klaus Stork, is still operating TrainCraft by Klaus in Cumming/Georgia, for a select group of customers. And H-J Neumann is still writing about LGB, in Germany. (TrainCraft by Klaus received copyright from H-J Neumann in 2013)

TrainCraft by Klaus new and third blog “TrainCraft Trove” will feature chosen articles, interpreting for our well-disposed readers the technical as well as the social-economic environment which made LGB the leading G Scale hobby model train of its time.
Throughout the year pieces from Klaus private (LGB) collection and stash will be offered to the distinguished collector. Some by email, some will be announced on the blog, and for some you might want to enlist on the TrainCraft subscriber list to ensure to receive all of Klaus and TrainCraft by Klaus offers and the complete series of articles.

So, watch out for the next blog, tell all your friends and LGB fans about this blog or send them the link or blog if you want. Join as a follower or email us with questions.