Under the presumption no manufacturing in Germany, is LGB of A. THE remaining source for dealers?
Further is there any indication by our readers as to what the product status is at LGB of A?
I would imagine, if there is a void at LGB of A., it will be soon revealed at the major mailorder dealers.
Thanks,
Wendell
The last I heard from Jack Lynch was that they were shipping and they had most stuff in stock…except track. I have not heard of any parts shortages…yet. Last I looked the major suppliers seemed to have a fair amount of product in stock. Has their been a rush on product by hoarders/collectors? I don’t know. I know I have most of what I need from LGB and most items that I’ve wanted have been purchased…recently. If LGB is liquidated I would say grab what you need because stuff will then become scarce and prices will skyrocket. I believe eventually they will return to a normal level as soon as aftermarket producers can provide necessary parts to keep current product going.
Wendell,
Do us all a favor with your DS questions. Jump on the phone, call LGB of A, and get the answer. That will put to rest any wild --s speculation. But then again, that would cut in to your postings.
JD
JD Miller said:
Wendell, Do us all a favor with your DS questions. Jump on the phone, call LGB of A, and get the answer. That will put to rest any wild --s speculation. But then again, that would cut in to your postings. JD
Hey JD, Perhaps Wendell could drive over and have a look what they actually have in stock. 
You know some of us have heard the SN (Situation Normal) spiel for so long we are somewhat surprised when it then turns out to be AFU ( All F^#@$ UP). But that’s just because we heard all these stories from the “Fans” aka “Ventilators” who provide all the testimonials. We just can’t believe that things are not as rosy (lighter shade of red) than they would have us believe.
On the issue of track. Track can be substituted with AC or USA, if it comes down to that, but SWITCHES is where the cluster **** will likely occur. AC switches suck IMHO, I hate them and will only use LGBs for my new layout.
I’m confident I have sufficient track and switches for my new track plan. But if needed, I may only need a couple of R1 switches and I can get them from E-vilbay if needed, as they are still plentiful on the used market.
Its you “wider is better” guys that will start paying thru the nose for the 16000 and up switches. They were always on the scarce side in terms of avalability, at least here they were.
Victor Smith said:
On the issue of track. Track can be substituted with AC or USA, if it comes down to that, but SWITCHES is where the cluster **** will likely occur. AC switches suck IMHO, I hate them and will only use LGBs for my new layout.I’m confident I have sufficient track and switches for my new track plan. But if needed, I may only need a couple of R1 switches and I can get them from E-vilbay if needed, as they are still plentiful on the used market.
Its you “wider is better” guys that will start paying thru the nose for the 16000 and up switches. They were always on the scarce side in terms of avalability, at least here they were.
The “wider is better” crowd has plenty of choice, it doesn’t need to be Code332 and it doesn’t need to be elephant-proof. The people who will have a problem are those who believe that LGB is the only game in town.
That applies on either side of the pond. Lots of alternatives for track, just have to do a bit of reading and looking. Best place (for the NA crowd) to start is GardenRailways June 2001, page 54-61.
BTW many of the “wider is better” crowd also believe “prototypical is better”; forget about the 16000 and 18000 variety in that case. 
JD Miller said:
Wendell,Do us all a favor with your DS questions. Jump on the phone, call LGB of A, and get the answer. That will put to rest any wild --s speculation. But then again, that would cut in to your postings.
JD
As long as you know WHO the problem is.
Curmudgeon said:JD Miller said:
Wendell,Do us all a favor with your DS questions. Jump on the phone, call LGB of A, and get the answer. That will put to rest any wild --s speculation. But then again, that would cut in to your postings.
JD
Ah, yes.
Bachmann Forum, too.
Attitudinal deficiency.As long as you know WHO the problem is.
Much more important is to know who knows the answers to those questions. The rest is just background noise!
For rthose who likw the LGB tie strips I was unable to get those along with the track. I’m making a few minor layout changes and won’t need to buy switches but will do a little substituting on track.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:Victor Smith said:
On the issue of track. Track can be substituted with AC or USA, if it comes down to that, but SWITCHES is where the cluster **** will likely occur. AC switches suck IMHO, I hate them and will only use LGBs for my new layout.I’m confident I have sufficient track and switches for my new track plan. But if needed, I may only need a couple of R1 switches and I can get them from E-vilbay if needed, as they are still plentiful on the used market.
Its you “wider is better” guys that will start paying thru the nose for the 16000 and up switches. They were always on the scarce side in terms of avalability, at least here they were.
Vic,The “wider is better” crowd has plenty of choice, it doesn’t need to be Code332 and it doesn’t need to be elephant-proof. The people who will have a problem are those who believe that LGB is the only game in town.
That applies on either side of the pond. Lots of alternatives for track, just have to do a bit of reading and looking. Best place (for the NA crowd) to start is GardenRailways June 2001, page 54-61.
BTW many of the “wider is better” crowd also believe “prototypical is better”; forget about the 16000 and 18000 variety in that case.
I suspect that most existing RRs that wanted to run wider radius stock have already to date been rebuilt before all this started. Any new layout builders will now have to consider there options. Like I said, I HATE Aristo 4’ switches, there junk! But I will find whatever 12000s I need. Afterall with all the wider radius stock has made 6’ or 8’ dia the default standards for large scale design. Guys like me who stick with the 12000s will become a minority niche.
Cool, I’ve always wanted my own niche…hehehe
Vic, I don’t think there is any problem with you finding your niche…
I used to really like 1100 curves from them.
Since every set had a whole circle, you’d end up with a BUNCH, and every time you buy some junk, got MORE.
Even had a boxful for about $5 once.
I straightened them for yard tracks.
Took two apart, put the long rails together, and the short rails, straightened the rails, then cut one set of tie strips in the inside (so the lengthened when straight), the other set cut the bonds out on the outside, so it shrunk.
Log rails in the long set, short rails in the short set, and you’re set.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:H-J - Good advice and a VERY good article.
That applies on either side of the pond. Lots of alternatives for track, just have to do a bit of reading and looking. Best place (for the NA crowd) to start is GardenRailways June 2001, page 54-61.
But what you REALLY mean is that in USA, apart from USAT, Aristocraft, Cargraves, H&R, J&W, Llagas Creek, AMS, Micro-engineering, and Sunset Valley, not to mention PECO, Tenmille, Clifford Barker, Marcway, GRS [UK alone], Thiel, Maerklin and a few others I can’t lay my paws on right now over in Yoorup, we are almost totally devoid of any kind of large-scale track at all…
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Terry A de C Foley said:Hans-Joerg Mueller said:H-J - Good advice and a VERY good article.
That applies on either side of the pond. Lots of alternatives for track, just have to do a bit of reading and looking. Best place (for the NA crowd) to start is GardenRailways June 2001, page 54-61.But what you REALLY mean is that in USA, apart from USAT, Aristocraft, Cargraves, H&R, J&W, Llagas Creek, AMS, Micro-engineering, and Sunset Valley, not to mention PECO, Tenmille, Clifford Barker, Marcway, GRS [UK alone], Thiel, Maerklin and a few others I can’t lay my paws on right now over in Yoorup, we are almost totally devoid of any kind of large-scale track at all…
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Yes, absolutely “No track” … looking for Code332 and willing to support a worthwhile enterprise?
In that case check out LEBU http://www.zueriwerk.ch/d/Shop/LEBU_Technische_Angaben.html
This is part of production at a facility (Züriwerk) for the mentally handicapped in Zürich, Switzerland.
Do they deliver worldwide? YES, they do!
Check this http://www.zueriwerk.ch/Images/pdf/LEBU-Preisliste%20Europa.pdf for Export in Europe and this http://www.zueriwerk.ch/Images/pdf/LEBU-Preisliste%20Export.pdf for overseas.
The alternatives are out there! Think outside the Red Box!
One problem there HJ. Most Americans cannot speak or read German. The information is useless, and…were I in need of track a no sale.
Also, I would say that 90% of all large scalers have never been to one of these forums and has no clue where to get anything if it isn’t available at a local hobbyshop, out of an ad in GR or Ebay.
Warren Mumpower said:
One problem there HJ. Most Americans cannot speak or read German. The information is useless, and...were I in need of track a no sale.Also, I would say that 90% of all large scalers have never been to one of these forums and has no clue where to get anything if it isn’t available at a local hobbyshop, out of an ad in GR or Ebay.
I’ve read many times that Google and Babelfish do a good job translating ;). Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Now on where to find it, well I guess we each have our own way of sourcing stuff. Back in my previous life I had to source stuff all the time in order to get away from paying (actually the customers would be paying!) through the nose by going to the mfg of whichever piece of equipment.
But if people prefer that, that is their choice!
Wendell Hanks said:
Under the presumption no manufacturing in Germany, is LGB of A. THE remaining source for dealers? Further is there any indication by our readers as to what the product status is at LGB of A?I would imagine, if there is a void at LGB of A., it will be soon revealed at the major mailorder dealers.
Thanks,
Wendell
I did see track listed in their on-line catalogue.
Wendell
Wendell Hanks said:Wendell Hanks said:
Under the presumption no manufacturing in Germany, is LGB of A. THE remaining source for dealers? Further is there any indication by our readers as to what the product status is at LGB of A?I would imagine, if there is a void at LGB of A., it will be soon revealed at the major mailorder dealers.
Thanks,
Wendell
OK, here’s one answer to my question with me as the source:
I ordered some parts from Ridge Road - the thoughtful and typically courteous employee noted that as far as LGB supplies, what is in LGB of America’s warehouse (I presume San Diego) is what is available.I did see track listed in their on-line catalogue.
Wendell
Hmmm…Better check to make sure I have all my switches for my planned layout before things gets start getting scarce…
Victor, I think your phophecy is alrerady true. Last month I bought from Ridge Road one Left and one Right hand LGB R3 turnouts, when checking the on line calalog yesterday, I note both are shown as back ordered.
Danny Sheehan said:Danny, I wonder how much will be due horde buying.
Victor, I think your phophecy is alrerady true. Last month I bought from Ridge Road one Left and one Right hand LGB R3 turnouts, when checking the on line calalog yesterday, I note both are shown as back ordered.
In my experience 16000’s were never plentiful in the first place. The shops here that carried them only ever had 2 or 3 of each direction. So I figured they’d likely be the first to go, especially if some people go into panic buying mode or are smelling an e-bay profit to sell them later on when supply dries up.
Sad but thats the world we live in. I just checked my needs, did a little revision to my layout, and now it looks like the number and type of switches on my sick pretzle layout will be the same as what I have on hand, even have one each to spare, so, Wheew!