Large Scale Central

LCE/ICE

General Discussion
#1

Folks,

I saw a recent run of an LGB LCE train (the ICE model in Germany). It looks really nice and I am tempted to run it in my layout…But I saw that NewQida has an exact lookalike that sells pretty cheap and it is RC controlled. Does anyone know about this. If we replace the NewQida wheels with new metal wheels does that help in any way (one of the newqida discussions said the base was a little light causing derailing sometime (German forum)).

Any comments or thoughts.

Thanks all!!! Have a great weekend!!!

p.s. Not much of a chance, but anyone looking to sell their LCE ???

#2

Saul,
as with anything ‘cheap’ there are problems, like plastic wheels and a steam sound unit. The Newqida ‘looks’ to be an exact copy but there the similarity lies. The Newqida sells for $150. For not a great deal more you can buy the real thing from LGB. These are regularly listed on American eBay. They are one of my favourite LGB trains and I have managed to amass around thirty pieces, in all three of the variations made by Piko (LCE mark I and mark II and the Amtrak version). Alas none are for sale. If you are thinking of running more than two intermediate cars then the additional power drive block is required in the trailing ‘power’ car.

#3

Saul:

Interesting you should be inquiring about the LCE. Yesterday I just completed a conversion from Newquida battery power to USATrains NW2 track power. The conversion included all metal wheels on all axles. I simply removed the battery components and replaced it with the USAT power block. I spent today running it and it worked like a charm. I also converted my older LGB Amtrak set with two motor blocks. It never ran better.

Try it! I think you will really like it.

Henry

#4

Thanks Tim! Wow! That is quite a collection!

There is one on ebay currently but the listing price is 299 + 40 shipping. I assume this is a little expensive.

Would you have an example starter set price? I am kind of clueless about the starting price…

#5

Thanks Henry! :-). Was it easy to change the wheels? Did they easily slide out or did you have to dissassemble the base?

#6

Saul,
$299 would get you a new unused set. The later (Mk II) versions are more expensive than the first release ‘boxy’ LCE. An older MK I version would start around $175 upwards. As you are in the U.S., then availability is definately better than what I have experienced. Most sets are listed for domestic (lower 48 states) shipping. Be very careful purchasing sets as even brand new, the side stickers on the car body sides would stick to the clear window panel on the set box lid, causing damage. The plastic bodies will also buff up very well with a good car polish.

#7

I have a friend that has the LCE plus 2 cars for sale. new and unrun i believe. i’ll check into it and get back to you offline.

#8

Lets be honest, the LGB ICE was never anything to write home about detail wise, the NewQ version is almost a virtual clone, even down to the same sticker window decals which I always thought was really cheesy. The major difference being from the drivetrain and even the LGBs had issues, but if the NewQ blocks can be replaced by some good USAs go for it!

#9

I seem to recall that ST Aubin’s cleared the LGB Mark I Amtraks out at $60 or $65 a set? Someplace I’ve got two of these (not for sale sorry) and I’d picked up a few extra cars and a spare motor block for it. As I’ve been sorting and cleaning in the garage lately I’m fairly certain that when I lost my long term storage of the track that I buried that box behind the track boxes? Again as I get thigns sorted I need to start a “good inventory” I’d never thought about retrofitting the newquida uinit though? Hmm? Ideas…

Chas

#10

Saul:
Here’s what I did. I removed the shell and once inside removed all the electronics and the power block. I had to slightly enlarge the hole for the pivot post of the new USATrains power block. From radio shack I purchased phone butt - to butt wire connectors. I then bridged from the motor posts inside to outside and outside to inside across the motor block. I had several metal wheels which I used to replace the plastic wheels. The new power block is well under $50.00 but I don’t recall how much the metal wheels for the other axles cost. Yes this set is a bit cheesy but…using th ten foot rule it does pretty well. If you can find the LGB sets for $60-75.00 range still consider switching out the power block. It is well worth in my opinion.

Henry

#11

Thanks all!!