Hey Vic did you see this??
http://www.playmobil.de/on/demandware.store/Sites-DE-Site/de_DE/Product-Show?pid=5258&cgid=Transport
expected in August 2012 so maybe like next year or so, you know how those Germans keep deadlines 
Oh sweet. That’s a cute little diesel too. I was wondering when Playmobil would continue making trains.
It’s not on the USA site yet, but it does show parts and other railroad stuff on the German site
Well at least the price (118Euros) is far better than most Playmobile stuff which has been frightningly expensive in years past, be interesting to see what the price this side of Germany will be ($150?). Its battery powered, maybe thats why its less expensive, they are not using LGB mechanisms anymore.
could actually be cheaper, this whole Greek debt crisis is helping the american $ and Euro level up, with a possibility of the $ being worth more in the future, but hey that’s what I heard on Faux News
Well if the MSRP is around $150 it is possible it might find some discount pricing around $100 maybe alot less, Lionel’s battery trainset started around $75-$100, now they are being flogged on Ebay for $30-$40. Battery powered trainsets are never very popular long term.
I’m just hoping that this sparks them into re releasing some of the other stuff, like the mobile crane
Victor Smith said:Considering our hobby's penchant for battery power operations, I find this statement amusing.
Battery powered trainsets are never very popular long term.
Well let me clarify - I ment this:
Not this:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/new%20construction%206-07/TrailerCarRC.jpg)
I was referring to the lower end battery powered sets, this new Playmobil description falls into that catagory, cell batteries and a 9V handheld controller I’d bet a dollar its a similar to the set up currently used by Lionel or Scientific. My chief interest in this set would be as bash fodder, a small r/c platform like this could be the basis of something akin to a Stomper drive only with some basic throttle control, could be alot of fun.
The Lionel controller that came with my sons Hogwarts set ( dial control start with 2 push buttons for bell and whistle) is actually awesome compared to the scientific crap(immediate stop/start/full speed)
and yes I was thinking the same thing, bash fodder
and I just bought one of the sets you posted for $5 at the local flee market
Vic, I was just kidding. I understood what you were saying.
On the other hand, this thread gets indexed by Google, some unsuspecting hobby newcomer searches for playmobile and finds this thread, probably a good thing you explained it.
Jason, I just needed to be specific, afterall there are battery r/c trains and then are Battery R/C trains, and they are each at opposite ends of the spectrum in every way.
Mark I can’t stand that Lionel controller (Christmas Story set) it only runs as long as you hold the button down or stay withing 10’ of the engine. walk away or set the controller down and the train stops. I sure hope the Playmobil doesnt do this as it is very inconvenient, at least with the Scientific I could just push “start” and it would run, no constant presence or finger pressure required, its a big deal if your using it for something like xmas tree layouts or such where you just want it to run unattended.
Vic,
qoute: “Its battery powered, maybe thats why its less expensive, they are not using LGB mechanisms anymore.”
This was a misconception that I held for many years, until I picked up several old 12 volt Playmobil sets. Never have, never did use LGB mechanisms. They used their own contraption with a less than perfect electric motor and typical low end geartrain. That being said, the mechanism is pretty good but pales in comparison to what LGB was producing in Nurenburg at the time.
Playmobil did use LGB track components (marketed in Playmobil packaging) but chose their own power supply, as up until mid-1980’s, LGB power supplies were only certified for use in Europe. This is why many early LGB starter sets were sold in the States with the controller missing (LGB did not have a U.S. certified power controller). Dealers would substitute other makes of controllers.
I am a great fan of the track powered Playmobil (have more than a decent collection of such), but draw the line when it comes to their R/C items, mainly due their use of batteries and their toylike look.
Vic the rc controller your describing from Lionel is a lot different then the one I have. http://www.lionel.com/media/servicedocuments/71-1080-250.pdf
page 9
Thats the controller I have, when you turn the dail you need to hold it or it goes back to center. Maybe mine is different. I did like the whistle /bell function too. It will be interesting to see how this one works.
Tim, ok LGB similar drive, it had skates and red wheels so easy to confuse.
hmmm that’s weird and not how ours work, the dial stays where it’s put. Might be as simple as opening yours up and removing a spring would be my bet.
Maybe, if I wasnt planning to ebay the two sets I have. 
Tim-
Any relationship, currently or in the past, between PIKO and LGB product development and/or manufacturing?