Large Scale Central

'LGB of America' on Ridge Road website

General Discussion
#21
Gtrainman said:
You can go anywhere and get a Bachmann set at half the price.

Trivia,

And if you add in a new loop of track that is outdoor friendly and a power supply that has power for some lights on cars or another loco, how much would a person save the?
Oh, I wonder if quality still means anything?

Just wondering.


Entry price point means everything when you are talking “starter set”.
Give them a deal now and sell more Heislers and Shays down the road.
I like quality. But I’ve started “cheap” in many endeavors.
My first Bachmann set was very affordable(well under $200), so I took a chance.I probably wouldn’t have bought it if it was $350 and said Bachmann or LGB on the box.
Ralph

I might add that with outdoor track the Silvergate starter set is a better value. But I know that. If you are not familiar with the hobby the price is a big factor.

#22
Ralph Berg said:
Gtrainman said:
You can go anywhere and get a Bachmann set at half the price.

Trivia,

And if you add in a new loop of track that is outdoor friendly and a power supply that has power for some lights on cars or another loco, how much would a person save the?
Oh, I wonder if quality still means anything?

Just wondering.


Entry price point means everything when you are talking “starter set”.
Give them a deal now and sell more Heislers and Shays down the road.
I like quality. But I’ve started “cheap” in many endeavors.
My first Bachmann set was very affordable(well under $200), so I took a chance.I probably wouldn’t have bought it if it was $350 and said Bachmann or LGB on the box.
Ralph

I might add that with outdoor track the Silvergate starter set is a better value. But I know that. If you are not familiar with the hobby the price is a big factor.


You can also turn off a potential customer with a low quality product that does not perform up to expectation (especially when your talking about running them outdoors).

#23
John Joseph Sauer said:
You can also turn off a potential customer with a low quality product that does not perform up to expectation (especially when your talking about running them outdoors).
That is also a possibility. I'm happy to see the set available. Made in Germany too. Ralph
#24

My guess (above post) as to any effort by Silvergate to use the LGB moniker was just that, a guess. Apparently, the initial posting showing the Ridge catalogue descriptor was a clear error referencing LGB of America as the brand. So if there is no reference to LGB on the packaging of a PIKO product – or in the advertising – what is the brand recognition value for PIKO that warranting a $300 price for this starter set? Are not the customers either unfamiliar with this hobby or they have a memory that “LGB = BIG TRAINS” are the ones that run under the Christmas tree?

Any takers on the value of PIKO’s brand recognition with those starting in the hobby and targeted by Silvergate to be U.S.A.'s PIKO starter set consumers?

My guess is an on-going pioneering effort will have to happen to market PIKO as the premium product replace LGB in the West. Too bad for Silvergate they are not able (legally?) to tie in their “ownership” and “use” of the LGB brand moniker to PIKO thus capturing whatever brand value LGB still has.

I disagree with HJ that the LGB label is a gonner among the great numbers of humans who have gotten brain saturated that only LGB makes those cute BIG TRAINS that run around showroom window push-up Christmas trees.

Wendell
Wendell

#25

Wendell,

I didn’t say that the LGB label has no value, I said “For practical purposes LGBoA is about as relevant as EPL Patentwerk oHG!”
EPL went down the tubes and LGBoA is dormant (reminds me of SnowWhite :slight_smile: ). In short it means, starting from scratch for Slivergate.

PS There must be a very good reason why LGBoA lapsed into dormant status. Established companies don’t change their names just for “let’s do something different”. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink:

#26

Oh boy, an Americanized version of their (Piko’s) upcoming BR80 steam loco and starter set to be sold in Europe:

http://www.piko.de/d/Neuheitenauslieferungen/Herbstneuheiten08/TLN_Herbstneuheiten08.php?navid=137

Not sure if I want the DB or UP version of a D&RGW narrow gauge caboose?

#27

(http://peteraustinmagic.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/splittinghares.jpg.w300h242.jpg)

It would be amazing if anything ever pleased anyone on large scale forums!

#28

John Joseph Sauer said:
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(http://peteraustinmagic.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/splittinghares.jpg.w300h242.jpg)

[/url] It would be amazing if anything ever pleased anyone on large scale forums!

Well it is not easy, especially if they use scale in the moniker. Never have that problem on the Toy Train fora, at least not that I noticed. :lol: :lol: But let’s face it, PIKO is really after the “Toy” segment of the market, same strategy applies in Germany. That invariably calls for heavy doses of artist’s licence, which is OK as long as it suits the “Suitable for G” crowd. :smiley:

#29
John Joseph Sauer said:
It would be amazing if anything ever pleased anyone on large scale forums!
Well, the caboose is a nice version (albiet 1:24th-ish from memory) of the D&RGW car, so why not offer it as such.

If you have the NG caboose, why not have a narrow gauge 0-6-0?

There are a few Euro ones that come to mind (Spreewald, I have the Tillig version here, or some of the preserved engines at the DEV museum) but then not so common outside of industrial offerings in US narrow gauge?

The cars are 1:32, and I guess they got the dies from the plastic moulding company in Indiana who got them from MDC.

Not that I am “not pleased” (I like BR80s, fell in love with the Marklin one 25 or so years ago) but a US version is an odd approach to say the least!

#30

It’s a DB version- not a US version.
Look at the pics- 2 different loco types- U.S. Docksider and a German BR80.
I’ve heard rumor of other locos by PIKO based on this chassis.

#31

Yes, but the US loco is a thinly disguised BR80, look at everything below the footplate and the dome positions.

Reminds me of LGB 2015D Vs. LGB 2017D

#32

I don’t know if I like it but I’m not going to complain about it. Another entry into the ‘G’ arena can only be a good thing. I happen to be a GM guy for the most part (screwed up and bought a Dodge last month, love it). As much as I like my Pontiac Solstice I don’t complain when Porche comes out with a different more expensive convertable. It’s a big world, plenty of room for more ‘G’ trains and drop tops.

That Piko BR80 set looks neat…just picked up an LGB 2080 though so even if it’s offered stateside I may have to pass. I see they have what appears to be an EPL switch drive, wonder if it’s LGB compatible or if it’s time to sell all my LGB track and go USA?

Edit: Wow, I mis-spelled Porche! Apologies to our German members!

#33

PIKO turnout drive LGB compatible? from what I’ve heard it’s a real knock-off, down to the colour of the connector screws. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink: Strange how these things happen, eh? But don’t forget Wolfgang Richter was part of the presentation at the PIKO G track roll-out.

Hmmmm, interesting!

BTW don’t worry about the Porsche ;).

#34
Mark Verbrugge said:
I don't know if I like it but I'm not going to complain about it. Another entry into the 'G' arena can only be a good thing. I happen to be a GM guy for the most part (screwed up and bought a Dodge last month, love it). As much as I like my Pontiac Solstice I don't complain when Porche comes out with a different more expensive convertable. It's a big world, plenty of room for more 'G' trains and drop tops.
Probably not the best way to compare. You think the Yugo was a good entry into the car market? Lada? Fiat? Vega? Corvair? General Misunderstanding 5.7 dismal? I could come up with quite a list. However, those that prove themselves with the test of time, well, that's a different story.

I’m still driving my flatheads.
The Jaguar runs fine (and now actually stops!).

I have always avoided first-year-models in automobiles, yet will buy a first-year model when they are 5-10 years old, and I KNOW what the issues are.

Think about it.
Think about a certain Mikado.
Or Shay. Or 2-4-0.

I am in a position, have been for a LONG time, where I do not need anything for the railroad.
I will wait.
NOTHING is absolutely necessary.
I’ll wait to see what pans out.

#35
Curmudgeon said:
Mark Verbrugge said:
I don't know if I like it but I'm not going to complain about it. Another entry into the 'G' arena can only be a good thing. I happen to be a GM guy for the most part (screwed up and bought a Dodge last month, love it). As much as I like my Pontiac Solstice I don't complain when Porche comes out with a different more expensive convertable. It's a big world, plenty of room for more 'G' trains and drop tops.
Probably not the best way to compare. You think the Yugo was a good entry into the car market? Lada? Fiat? Vega? Corvair? General Misunderstanding 5.7 dismal? I could come up with quite a list. However, those that prove themselves with the test of time, well, that's a different story.

I’m still driving my flatheads.
The Jaguar runs fine (and now actually stops!).

I have always avoided first-year-models in automobiles, yet will buy a first-year model when they are 5-10 years old, and I KNOW what the issues are.

Think about it.
Think about a certain Mikado.
Or Shay. Or 2-4-0.

I am in a position, have been for a LONG time, where I do not need anything for the railroad.
I will wait.
NOTHING is absolutely necessary.
I’ll wait to see what pans out.


I am not comparing Pontiac to Prosche, but many slammed the Solstice when it came out saying it couldn’t compete with a Boxter…like it was meant to! Just trying to say that in my short time here I note that a few members would rather trash a new product than laud it for the good it brings to the hobby.

USA is often blasted for it’s ‘fragile construction’, LGB for it’s ‘lack of detail’, etc. This set isn’t even on the market yet and it’s already getting neg reviews. Piko may not be someones 'cup ‘o tea’ but it may bring someone to the hobby that would not otherwise come in. Seems like a good starter set, I would like to see reviews based on what a product is. This is not a super scale set, but was it supposed to be? Sales will be the final reviewer.

#36

These LGB/Piko/Silvergate threads are so hard to follow. I can never figure out who I’m supposed to be hating and why. I’m standing here with a length of rope and a noose and I’m just confused

#37

Ask Herr Mueller- he’s the manager of that depatment.

#38
Curmudgeon said:
Mark Verbrugge said:
I don't know if I like it but I'm not going to complain about it. Another entry into the 'G' arena can only be a good thing. I happen to be a GM guy for the most part (screwed up and bought a Dodge last month, love it). As much as I like my Pontiac Solstice I don't complain when Porche comes out with a different more expensive convertable. It's a big world, plenty of room for more 'G' trains and drop tops.
Probably not the best way to compare. You think the Yugo was a good entry into the car market? Lada? Fiat? Vega? Corvair? General Misunderstanding 5.7 dismal? I could come up with quite a list. However, those that prove themselves with the test of time, well, that's a different story.

I’m still driving my flatheads.
The Jaguar runs fine (and now actually stops!).

I have always avoided first-year-models in automobiles, yet will buy a first-year model when they are 5-10 years old, and I KNOW what the issues are.

Think about it.
Think about a certain Mikado.
Or Shay. Or 2-4-0.

I am in a position, have been for a LONG time, where I do not need anything for the railroad.
I will wait.
NOTHING is absolutely necessary.
I’ll wait to see what pans out.


Hey,
you are right on track, like you i never buy anything in the first year. By the way, in German forums it was possible to read that Piko engine wheels do not last, due to the cast material. Do not get me wrong, i love the fact that Piko is producing new items, but what i have seen so far is not what i would buy.

think global Pius

#39
mike omalley said:
These LGB/Piko/Silvergate threads are so hard to follow. I can never figure out who I'm supposed to be hating and why. I'm standing here with a length of rope and a noose and I'm just confused
ROTFLMAO!
#40
PJ said:
Curmudgeon said:
Mark Verbrugge said:
I don't know if I like it but I'm not going to complain about it. Another entry into the 'G' arena can only be a good thing. I happen to be a GM guy for the most part (screwed up and bought a Dodge last month, love it). As much as I like my Pontiac Solstice I don't complain when Porche comes out with a different more expensive convertable. It's a big world, plenty of room for more 'G' trains and drop tops.
Probably not the best way to compare. You think the Yugo was a good entry into the car market? Lada? Fiat? Vega? Corvair? General Misunderstanding 5.7 dismal? I could come up with quite a list. However, those that prove themselves with the test of time, well, that's a different story.

I’m still driving my flatheads.
The Jaguar runs fine (and now actually stops!).

I have always avoided first-year-models in automobiles, yet will buy a first-year model when they are 5-10 years old, and I KNOW what the issues are.

Think about it.
Think about a certain Mikado.
Or Shay. Or 2-4-0.

I am in a position, have been for a LONG time, where I do not need anything for the railroad.
I will wait.
NOTHING is absolutely necessary.
I’ll wait to see what pans out.


Hey,
you are right on track, like you i never buy anything in the first year. By the way, in German forums it was possible to read that Piko engine wheels do not last, due to the cast material. Do not get me wrong, i love the fact that Piko is producing new items, but what i have seen so far is not what i would buy.

think global Pius


PIKO G locomotives have been tried and proven.
The Taurus and BR218 are robust, well designed Garden locomotives. No reason to expect anything else from them in a starter set!
You might want to contact Members of the Florida Garden Railway Society. They ran the PIKO locos at Epcot’s flower and Garden Festival for 8 weeks non-stop . The Epcot German pavilion layout runs PIKO locos exclisively and they run 7days a week / eight hours a day. David Wenrich of the FGRS takes care of the trains and swears by them. Many of my friends who are members of the FGRS said the same. That’s from the horses mouth - not forum “talk”.