Large Scale Central

LGB/Marklin avail in the States

General Discussion
#1

Let me preface this:

I’m not posting this in hopes of starting another one of the “bickering threads” quite the contrary!..but I did find it interesting (though not surprising) that folks are finding ways to bring the product in.

Quote:
......................

All current production is available from Train-Li-USA. Just send an email to [email protected]…

…


http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/forumid/4/postid/44055/view/topic/Default.aspx

so I’m guessing if you need something, email Axel>? I’ve purchased a bender from him, it was a very easy transaction!

#2

I too have done business with Axel.
But…
Having said that, I hope this isn’t another carrot on a stick.
Avaliable means just that…avaliable.

jb

#3

Axel is a great person with a good business but when it comes to LGB/Marklin products the term grey market comes up. If you want a newly produced LGB product and don’t want to go through a non-US dealer then he is a way to go. He will stand behind what he sells as well.
LAO

#4

Question: Will that stop any gnashing of teeth, moans of woes and general despondency?

I don’t think so! Most of the time it sounds like “If we can’t get our fix from the people at LGBoA/SliverGate, we just as soon not get our fix!”

#5

HJ,
I think the Euro to dollar is doing that!
LAO

#6

Any insight from those who do purchase from Train-Li-USA what is actually shipable that is both LGB and is new production?
Would these products be from Marklin’s own production facility? Any Western LGB? Is the LGB label still used or is it now Marklin Large Scale?

Curious. Thanks.

Wendell

#7
Wendell Hanks said:
Any insight from those who do purchase from Train-Li-USA what is actually shipable that is both LGB and is new production? Would these products be from Marklin's own production facility? Any Western LGB? Is the LGB label still used or is it now Marklin Large Scale?

Curious. Thanks.

Wendell


Wendell,

No idea what Axel has in stock or where he got it from.

All new production is clearly marked, as can be seen in the following picture (right click on the link>open in new window)

http://www.spassbahn.de/attachment.php?id=22889

The label on the box reads

LGB® - The Big Train,
Made in Hungary
Gebr. Märklin & Cie GmbH
Witschelstraße 104 - DE 90431 Nürnberg

More interesting than the point of origin, would be the price point.

#8

Most of the new rolling stock is out of China.

#9

HJ-
Thanks.
Yes, the price point is the focus.
Plus, what is the perception by Marklin as to the market in the USA? Would a Western line of products be a “commercial pioneering” effort? All by virtue that USA/bachmann/Aristo already has saturated the market now longer consumer retrivable by the LGB devoted?

Sigh!

Wendell

#10

Wendell,

What you say??

“All by virtue that USA/bachmann/Aristo already has saturated the market now longer consumer retrivable by the LGB devoted?”

I no understand!!

#11

Wendell, I can think of about a dozen different locomotives alone, still missing from the large scale market that if Marklin produced any one of would go along way to reestablishing themselves in the US market.

For NG how about a:
2-6-6 Mason Bogie
0-6-2T Unitah RR
2-8-0 C-21
2-6-2T outside frame
2-6-2 SR&RL

For SG:
0-6-0 USRA switcher
2-6-2 Prairie
2-10-0 Russian
2-6-0 Mogul
2-8-2 shortline Mike (McCloud RR)
0-8-0 switcher

#12

Victor,
I rea dyour list and there a few things on the standard gauge side that I would buy but would it be worth the mold costs for Marklin to make any of them.
LAO

#13

Bob-
My apology - I needed to edit. My guess is that LGB’s reputation has dropped and they would need to regenerate that reputation to overcome the sales/marketing grasp held by USA/Aristo/Bachmann.

#14
Larry Otis said:
Victor, I read your list and there a few things on the standard gauge side that I would buy but would it be worth the mold costs for Marklin to make any of them. LAO
By that logic would it be worth it to produce anything at all in the future? I was suggesting that they only need to produce ONE marketable US model and that there are several to choose that one from. Nothing ventured ya know....;)
#15
Wendell Hanks said:
Bob- My apology - I needed to edit. My guess is that LGB's reputation has dropped and they would need to regenerate that reputation to overcome the sales/marketing grasp held by USA/Aristo/Bachmann.
Wendell,

LGB’s NA marketshare kept shrinking and shrinking and shrinking prior to the insolvency.

Given Märklin’s turnaround efforts - so far still insufficient - why would anyone expect them to spend extra on a market that is shrinking, has a lot of competition holding a price advantage, in a country (USA) with a currency that declined in a very major way in the past two years? Not to mention the hitherto unresolved distribution question!

Concentrating on the production which serves the most lucrative market sure looks like the right approach to me. :wink: Anyone who has compared the European streetprices to the NA equivalents would probably agree.

#16

HJ-
I share your conclusions.
I also am curious, IF ( I say “IF”) a reputable former LGB employee here in the states wished to use the LGB trademark, conjoined with Marklin, and took the financial risk of having starter sets produced – say the chunky steamer with sound and a few cars – would there be a market based on a still existing posiive consumer history of the image of cute LGB sets running endless in store windows?

Postscript;
Ah, the saga does continue. My argumentation class next semester may have enough summary history to take on a policy debate on what should Marklin do or not do with LGB?
So easily I remember when Harley Davidson’s customers were only cops and outlaws and they were in the financial tank.
Alas…clear thinking and recognition of image prevailed. Now Harley customers include attorneys and anestheologists raiding the public image on weekends.

Wendell

#17
Wendell Hanks said:
.............

Postscript;
Ah, the saga does continue. My argumentation class next semester may have enough summary history to take on a policy debate on what should Marklin do or not do with LGB?
So easily I remember when Harley Davidson’s customers were only cops and outlaws and they were in the financial tank.
Alas…clear thinking and recognition of image prevailed. Now Harley customers include attorneys and anestheologists raiding the public image on weekends.

Wendell


And don’t forget Axel Dietz, CEO of Märklin riding his Harley to the office. :wink: :wink: :open_mouth:

#18

So, where does that leave me with my '82 Suzuki GS750T Rice Grinder? I still get bugs in my teeth. :slight_smile: :stuck_out_tongue:

#19
Steve Featherkile said:
So, where does that leave me with my '82 Suzuki GS750T Rice Grinder? I still get bugs in my teeth. :) :P
Steve, you either need a wrap-around helmet or you need to keep your mouth shut while riding the RiceGrinder. :P :P :lol:
#20

Bloody “NOISE MACHINES” those dammed HD motor bicycles. If they were kept with proper mufflers they might gain more respect, and save a few peoples’ hearing from going bad.