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