http://www.piko.de/KAT_PDF/99715_G_Neuheiten_2015.pdf (5MB) New items 2015
http://www.piko.de/KAT_PDF/99705_G_Katalog_2015.pdf (170MB) G catalogue
Happy browsing. 
Wow, the second file is a huge/excellent catalog! So far, (what I’ve read) I like the new rail clamps with rounded edges (both over joiner and direct rail versions). Also there is a very nice looking German outline 2-6-2 which seems great. I wish they could push some of that realism into the American side of things…the Camelback is probably as close as we get for now. Thanks for sharing this HJ.
For some reason on my tablet the page will download but not the pic images.
I like the “work caboose”, perfect for a sweeper car.
Greg
Hans…thanks for the link…downloaded both catalogs and just had to drool at all the cool stuff.
Richard
Hans-
Glad you are back.
Please offer your take on this claim: PIKO, per the full page TRAINWORLD ad in the recent Garden RR, is replacing LGB. The one LGB ad in the same magazine didn’t show promise of a product-focused year.
Now what?
Wendell
Wendell Hanks said:
Hans-
Glad you are back.
Please offer your take on this claim: PIKO, per the full page TRAINWORLD ad in the recent Garden RR, is replacing LGB. The one LGB ad in the same magazine didn’t show promise of a product-focused year.
Now what?
Wendell
Thanks Wendell!
Haven’t seen that issue, yet, but going on what I see and read from the European sources MLGB has (apparently) returned to its narrow gauge roots. A lot of very nice RhB items and more in the pipe line. However very little of it fits the era of our layout i.e. it’s too modern or too old.
OTOH what’s the hold up with the AMTRAK stuff? 
What about the NA freight cars? 
Do they have a production capacity problem at Györ or are there unresolved tooling issues aka where the dickens are the moulds?
Not that anyone asked me, but with the present market situation I’d even consider producing some unpainted freight cars. Coming up with the various paint schemes could be one of the hold ups.
PS not having seen that ad, my only comment would be “Remember those pained looks on the MLGB folks’ faces during that infomercial that TRAINWORLD produced?” That body language told me plenty! OTOH what do I know, eh?
HJ,
As far as the modern AMTRAK stuff, I wouldn’t hold my breath. Shortly after the LGBoA demise/disaster I spoke with the owner of the molds at the iHobby expo in Chicago. LGBoA had done them on its own and with their end the molds passed to this gentleman. He had no plans to produce them and seemed to want a lot of money to acquire them (we asked) Thats when I was still with Aristo, so something may have changed, but I doubt it.
George
Well not much there for me. I think the AC search light car is better suited for broom car. Later RJD
Thanks George,
That’s what I suspected, but it’s nice to have it confirmed. It’s an old story that monkey business sooner or later leads to more monkey business. What’s surprising is the fact that the controlling personality in Nürnberg saw this as viable, OTOH it could have been part of “long term planning” when the writing was on the wall and one anticipated LGBoA, with all its gyrations, being the ticket to “business as usual”.
Low and behold 7+ years after the LGB Saga another little snippet surfaces. BTW I haven’t been holding my breath, I was just curious why they wouldn’t reissue the AMTRAK stuff after they “repatriated” the tooling from China.
Has anyone even SEEN a basic catalog for LGB, let alone “new items” ???
The only “new items” for 2015 I can find are for a German boxcar and a new Allegra set. The last full catalog is from early 2013, the last previous “new items” listings I can find anywhere in the English speaking world are from the beginning of 2014, and even then its Euro-centric to the enth-degree. Its like Marklin/LGB is intentionally trying to withdraw its presence from the US market.
There has been a German/English version for 2014
Supposedly the previous distribution monopoly expired on 2014/12/31. It would be reasonable to surmise that Ron Gibson could enlighten the audience on “what’s what”.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
There has been a German/English version for 2014
Supposedly the previous distribution monopoly expired on 2014/12/31. It would be reasonable to surmise that Ron Gibson could enlighten the audience on “what’s what”.
HJ so that means HK Walthers no longer has “exclusive” distribution rights anymore???
Yep, that was the last thing I heard/read. Still waiting for the official announcement/confirmation or whatever.
I would be very encouraged by the prospect of some sort of direct sales (like LGBoA) becoming a reality again but given the lack of any sort of exposure in the wider LS hobby, its not likely to have much of a difference now.
I am still waiting for Trainworld to get the LGB Olomana.
George A., its nice to see your name again. When I asked Lewis at the ECLSTS where you were, and he told me that you weren’t with Aristo anymore, I felt bad for you. Then Aristo dried up and blew away.
I don’t understand why Piko and LGB do such nice euro stuff, some of it very well detailed (to my eye) and yet most of the Piko North American stuff looks so toy-like. I have to agree, they seam to be ditching the NA market.
As a personal observation, I am glad I have all the projects and rolling stock I will need for quite a while. So I am not waiting, holding my breath, for the next mystery release, hoping that its the item I desperately want. Of course, if the next mystery release is something that catches my eye, then maybe I will find a space for it in my ever cramped storage areas.
Hans - since you have much LGB insight, is it a coincidence that the PIKO headquarters is in San Diego are near (if not in the same building) the former LGB of American location in San Diego?
Further, is there any connection between PIKO and LGB? I’m thinking of mutual use of track manufacturers, molds and dies, etc. LGB’s financial status – and possible who owns what --may be the foible that holds back production of new products. Their financials would be the obstacle to even using, if accurate, the same product production companies used by, or owned by, PIKO.
As I have stated before, LGB’s screw ups are classic fodder for analysis – just as with Harley Davidson until the family decided what their brand name was worth and to whom. At one time their only customers were cops and outlaws.
Thanks for your historically based insights.
Wendell
Wendell Hanks said:
Hans - since you have much LGB insight, is it a coincidence that the PIKO headquarters is in San Diego are near (if not in the same building) the former LGB of American location in San Diego?
I’ve never been to California, but I don’t believe that the former LGBoA’s address coincides with PIKO’s address, as amatter of fact according to Google Map there are 14.0 road miles between the two locations.
OTOH Jonathan Meador used to work at LGBoA; currently listed as follows in connection with PIKO America:
Jonathan F. Meador is also the registered agent for the company. Also known as a statutory or resident agent, the registered agent is responsible for receiving legal notifications regarding court summons, lawsuits, and other legal actions involving the corporate entity.
Apart from that he apparently also designs their web presence.
Further, is there any connection between PIKO and LGB? I’m thinking of mutual use of track manufacturers, molds and dies, etc. LGB’s financial status – and possible who owns what --may be the foible that holds back production of new products. Their financials would be the obstacle to even using, if accurate, the same product production companies used by, or owned by, PIKO.
Rather than be exposed to the manifold vagaries of the Chinese jobbing shops, Dr. Wilfer decided to build his own manufacturing plant in China. But the plant doesn’t produce the G-scale rolling stock etc. According to PIKO’s statement the LS equipment is “Made in Germany”.
PIKO used to do jobbing work for LGB e.g. the LCE and a bunch of other items.
Interesting wrinkles with a Richter tie-in
Somewhere in the depth of cyberspace is a picture of Wolfgang Richter at the presentation of the then new PIKO turnout motor. For all practical purposes that drive is identical to the LGB drive but is better sealed against the ingress of water.
As I have stated before, LGB’s screw ups are classic fodder for analysis – just as with Harley Davidson until the family decided what their brand name was worth and to whom. At one time their only customers were cops and outlaws.
Thanks for your historically based insights.
Wendell
As far as historical insights go, there are others who have more of those but prefer to remain silent. 
I do live in San Diego, and in fact worked within walking distance of LGBOA… the Piko building is nowhere near the old LGBOA building…miles away.
Greg
Wendell Hanks said:
Please offer your take on this claim: PIKO, per the full page TRAINWORLD ad in the recent Garden RR, is replacing LGB.
Sheesh Wendell, I just had to buy the Feb issue to see for myself what you’re alluding to. OK so there’s a whole lot of PIKO stuff on page 3, nothing but PIKO!
The best part of that ad — for cynics like me — is this
The products we sell are not toys and are not intended for use by children under the age of 14. These products are model railroad equipment & accessories and are intended for use by adults.
Really? So much for enticing the next generation of choo-choo fanatics at an early age, eh!
The LGB ad on page 67 is ho-hum, high time to take it up by a few notches, but …
BTW being a fly on the wall after that LGB infomercial, which Ken Bianco presented, could have been of some interest.