I wonder how many of you have been following this years Nurnberg anouncements. To me this seems to be the most depressing of them since I remember. Of course the good news is that the LGB display is there, even if this only comprises a couple of shelves, mostly with pictures of new items. The shock is that essentially there are no new items announced by any of the other players. Brawa has zero new items. Kiss showed photos of the Crocodile but this is last years new item (on aside Kiss seems recently to anounce items throughout the year not necessarily during Nurnberg) Dingler zero, Dietz has a new item from last year, Ive heard nothing of Magnus -
maybe they weren’t even there, neither Reppingen. Regner does have a few items
and there are a few POLA and PIKO things but altogether it looks like we’ve gone
back some 20 years with LGB demise last year. Hoping things will improve, Zubi
Check out Massoth.de site. The new smoke units, high amp decoders, and decoder capacitors pack look promising for 2008 release. Also hoping they come out with the USA multi unit version for wireless dcc operation (Lenz-Xpressnet). Alan
Zubi,
the little Kof loco looks promising. Also the Piko Taurus in DHL livery and the 218 in white. Most impressive. I believe that Piko will make its mark on the defacto 1/28 scale ‘standard’ gauge. No reports yet of whether anyone actually talked to a Marklin representative at the show. I wonder if Piko will be doing the ‘Desiro’ sprinter under contract for Marklin?
Tim Brien said:
Zubi, the little Kof loco looks promising. Also the Piko Taurus in DHL livery and the 218 in white. Most impressive. I believe that Piko will make its mark on the defacto 1/28 scale ‘standard’ gauge. No reports yet of whether anyone actually talked to a Marklin representative at the show. I wonder if Piko will be doing the ‘Desiro’ sprinter under contract for Marklin?
Tim, actually there are two Kof’s, one by LGB and one by Mr Wolfgang Getz “Der Lokbauer” http://www.der-lokbauer.de/66194.html - this one is for both 45mm and 64mm gauge (standard gauge)
(http://www.buntbahn.de/fotos/data/7676/590Koef_vom_Lokbauer_2.jpg)
I cannot understand how people manage to come up with the same prototype in multiple, even when there are hardly any news at all… One which I did not know about and which just popped up on Buntbahn is the V29 by Schiede
(http://www.buntbahn.de/fotos/data/6005/2V29.jpg)
But I am exclusively interested in narrow gauge steam*) so this is of little consolation for me;-(, Zubi PS *) with one exception, but I will not admit it here…
Alan Del Monte said:Alan, Theanks, Yes, I am aware that people are mostly talking about Massoth this year. But this somehow proves my point, when a smoke and a larger decoder unit becomes the news of the year something is not quite right, is it? Best, Zubi
Check out Massoth.de site. The new smoke units, high amp decoders, and decoder capacitors pack look promising for 2008 release. Also hoping they come out with the USA multi unit version for wireless dcc operation (Lenz-Xpressnet). Alan
It all depends who’s talking about what. 
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:Hans-Joerg, the context is missing, what do you mean? Zubi
It all depends who's talking about what. ;) :)
Zbigniew Struzik said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
It all depends who’s talking about what.Hans-Joerg, the context is missing, what do you mean? Zubi
The worst part about NTF 2008 is the doom and gloom that some people see. Reading some of the comments about the LS hobby being in rapid decline just make me laugh. Yep we’re on a very slippery slope, unless we get the chance to add oodles of “stuff” to our arsenal, we just won’t be able to enjoy the hobby the way we should.
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/teufel/devil-smiley-023.gif)
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/teufel/devil-smiley-023.gif)
From my perspective (applies to the LS segment): No real duplications, none of the “me too” BS we had in past years, no more of the “this is top secret” garbage, no more “let’s paint one more close enough version”. No “oh so cute” fantasy products taking up precious production capacity. Why? Could it be the absence of LGB in its former incarnation? Whatelse is missing? The fits that some producers had when they discovered what someone else unveiled. Even the usual hoopla in the fora prior to the show was subdued, thank heavens for that!! For my part I patiently wait for a) the Ge 4/4’ and the Ge 6/6" from Kiss (second production series!) b) Spring to arrive early enough, let’s say mid-April when we’re done with XC skiing! c) Regner to perhaps produce a RhB G 3/4 Live Steamer in 2009
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
The worst part about NTF 2008 is the doom and gloom that some people see. Reading some of the comments about the LS hobby being in rapid decline just make me laugh. Yep we’re on a very slippery slope, unless we get the chance to add oodles of “stuff” to our arsenal, we just won’t be able to enjoy the hobby the way we should.(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/teufel/devil-smiley-023.gif)
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/teufel/devil-smiley-023.gif)
Hans-Joerg, sure we can enjoy, but mainly using the existing equipment. That LS hobby is entering a decline is more than evident, fortunately there is still some wind in the Accucraft and Bachmann sails but we all know that the overall trend is downhill. I guess Europe sensed this earlier than the US and it is a pity that the LGB balloon’s burst influenced others so heavily. I optimistically thought that they would try to take over the lead at least this year, but it is now evident that they were merely followers.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
From my perspective (applies to the LS segment): No real duplications, none of the “me too” BS we had in past years…
Like the Ge 6/6 announced by LGB for 2009 or double Kof… G3/4 in live steam sounds good but we already have two electric versions, and live steam Regner made will only be good to decorate a shelf;-( Best wishes, ZUbi PS check these shelves for yourself http://www.lgb-much.de/smesse08.htm
With many believing that the US is about to go into a recession…if not already there, and this recession ultimately having serious consequences in Europe too, as a manufacturer wouldn’t you be cautious in the introduction of new products? This doesn’t mean that there is a decline in the “G” scale industry as such, but an anticipated general decline in the economy over all.
So when’s this long awaited KISS K series Mikado sposed to be here.
Whazzit 3 years ago it was announced?
Zubi,
I looked at whatever I could find on the Net regarding the NTF already, heard the nitty-gritty and yet … as far as I’m concerned 2m (that’s the LS hobby to me) is far from dying. And the “G - wie Gummi” segment is still growing.
I do not think that Piko believes the largescale sector is dying. Taking off from the recently introduced LGB ‘standard’ gauge, Piko are continuing to amaze with the liveries on the Taurus and 218, plus the proposed railcar and freight stock. Let us hope that Marklin continue to produce the German standard gauge coaches.
Tim,
It’s the old “half full or half empty” syndrome.
John Bouck said:John, it has been around for one and half year! A very nice locomotive indeed, Zubi http://www.kiss-modellbahnen.de/index.php?language=de&obereich=produkte&bereich=spur_2m&ubereich=loks_usa&file=content.BR_K_36.inc.php
So when's this long awaited KISS K series Mikado sposed to be here. Whazzit 3 years ago it was announced?
Tim Brien said:If they thought it was dying, then why would they invest in the Chinese manufacturing plant at this time, I think PIKO is putting itself in place to come into the US and fill the LGB void if marklin doesn't!
I do not think that Piko believes the largescale sector is dying. Taking off from the recently introduced LGB 'standard' gauge, Piko are continuing to amaze with the liveries on the Taurus and 218, plus the proposed railcar and freight stock. Let us hope that Marklin continue to produce the German standard gauge coaches.
So right on Tim
Mark,
I agree with you. I see Piko as ‘replacing’ the LGB that we remember from recent days. I feel that Marklin will try to re establish the ‘values’ of the original ‘LGB’ with emphasis on exclusivity and perceived quality, although whether they are able to achieve this is to be seen. I feel many Europeans would have liked their LGB to be manufactured in Germany (not Hungary).
Tim,
They prefer Hungary to China!
Tim Brien said:I too have been saying that Marklin could very easily take LGB back 20 years to once again being a beautique brand of expensive German and Swiss meter guage model trains. The collectors would relish this IMHO, getting "back to its roots" so to speak. The idea that Piko could fill the US market void is very plausible, especially if they could aquire the LGB made in chinese molds for products like the Forney, or they could really establish a foothold if they can see the opportunity left by LGBs absence and begin producing US profile stock. Theres still an awful lot of dismals that havent been produced yet and that Taurus drivetrain could prove very adaptable to a US profile engine. Can you say RS-11, or Alco Century? I knew you could. :D
Mark, I agree with you. I see Piko as 'replacing' the LGB that we remember from recent days. I feel that Marklin will try to re establish the 'values' of the original 'LGB' with emphasis on exclusivity and perceived quality, although whether they are able to achieve this is to be seen. I feel many Europeans would have liked their LGB to be manufactured in Germany (not Hungary).
I model the D&H i can say ALCO century LOUDLY
420, 425, 628