Large Scale Central

LGB Train Set Ripoff?

General Discussion
#1

I bought a copy of the LGB FAO Schwarz train set and upon closer inspection of the locomotive and cars I realized something eerily familiar. Big Bird Express! I remember seeing it on ebay a while back. Now I might not be aware of any back story to the similarities so bear with me. But both the locomotives are the same minus a few changes (the cab for starters). Was there some license agreement between LGB and Sesame Street or is there a simple explanation to this? Edit: I just realized my title is kinda misleading since the Big Bird set came out before these LGB starter sets. http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Sesame-Street-Big-Bird-Express-Train-MIB-Oscar-Cookie-Monster-Battery-Op-/00/s/MTQwMVgxNjAw/$T2eC16V,!ykE9s7tw21zBQe,HKuevw~~60_57.JPG

http://gbdb.info/details.php?image_id=5088&sessionid=8ffa418e3979227948a249bd2b67d6ed&l=english ~Caleb

#2

The FAO set is actually based on a set older than Big Birds set. The original set goes back to the 1970s, I had picked up the engine to this set a long time ago and eventually gave the drive to Mik.

There was a word for this drive Mik was diplomatic calling it Cheesy. I would call it Crap.

It could barely pull itself and only had one speed, too fast. It was a kids play set plane and simple. I don’t know how “updated” the FAO set is. So I cannot comment on the differences, if any.

#3

Huh, that’s interesting. Do you know what the set number your engine came from? It was battery operated too, right? My set is okay but I’m easily impressed to say the least. The train does go a bit too fast on the first setting. Also the remote is finicky and needs to be pointing dead on with the receiver on the top of the cab.

#4

I have never heard of any licence agreement between Sesame Street and LGB. I know of a Chinese ripoff of the early LGB battery set back in the 1970s/1980s. The loco in question in the Chinese ripoff was the old body from LGB #2075 plus two small fieldbahn cars. This loco, minus the cab, looks identical to the Sesame Street locomotive. Maybe the ripoff also ripped off Sesame Street as well?

The 2012 Schwarz set is a definate embarassment. Looks like Marklin are taking LGB down a road less travelled.

#5

Oh wait I found it. At least the earlier sets came with brass track. The new battery starter sets are plastic. I agree Tim, it’s a budget set but it’s a far cry from the quality LGB sets I remember.

#6

The lump Vic sent me said “Ilco” or something like that on the bottom. They make ok doorstops

#7

there is one of the original sets on Ebay right now

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290833553658?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

#8

Sorry this response is so late. Lehmann started making Battery powered sets in 1971 using the #207/#2075 engine mold and the new #404 170m wagon mold. Battery sets are often purported to be rare. Thousands were made, but survival was rare. So many were made that by the late Seventies the original mold was wearing out. Battery sets from this era show a good deal of flash at the top of the stack.

Times being tough for EPL, the engine mold was sold to a Spanish broker. It ended up in the hands if Illco and was used to produce a set very similar to the Lehmann set. Illco produced their own mold for the wagons. I have examples produced in five different countries. Lastly the very tired mold was modified to make the Big Bird example.

#9

Jack, I have almost a dozen of the Ilco ore cars, yep, they are far from rare. The loco’s probably are so rare because it simply died, broke or were thrown against a wall by some ill tempered child when it stopped pulling its featherweight cars. So the locos are a tad more rare, but they are still far from desirable IMHO.

The newer FAO sets supposedly have a new RC speed controller so MAYBE they are better made, but I know of NO ONE who actually has one or has tested it and reported online their opinions.

From my perspective, a LBH set or even a Scientific Toys train set is far more desirable and reliable as a kids play set.