Large Scale Central

Status of LGB product availability?

General Discussion
#21
John Joseph Sauer said:
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My opinion is if it doesn’t suit your needs or live up to your expectations- Don’t buy it !


I fully agree, I’ve been doing that since I got into LS, only buy what fits my requirements and never fear to mention why I won’t buy some of the other “stuff”. The RBB finds that “highly reprehensible”. :stuck_out_tongue: :smiley: :stuck_out_tongue:

Of course there is always that matter of “what standards”. :wink: Some don’t know what a standard is until they run into a light standard.

BTW I’m awaiting the LGB®Märklin 2008 catalogue with great anticipation; especially the scale/gauge discriptions. This all in light of Märklin producing some fine 1:32 (Spur1) models; it will be about positioning the product line.

#22

I think you’ll be dissapointed . From what I’ve heard the products announced by LGB for 2007 have basically been transferred to 2008 production.
I often wonder why some folks feel they have the right to impose “standards”. It would seem that a manufacturer would be foolish to abandone a loyal consumer base so they can please a “vocal minority”.

#23

#24
John Joseph Sauer said:
I think you'll be dissapointed . From what I've heard the products announced by LGB for 2007 have basically been transferred to 2008 production. I often wonder why some folks feel they have the right to impose "standards". It would seem that a manufacturer would be foolish to abandone a loyal consumer base so they can please a "vocal minority".
How perceptive! I believe I translated that months ago.

This may be News to you but when someone advertises that their product is a specific scale - in the case of LGB that used to be 1:22.5 - and then doesn’t produce that … well … that is generally considered “false advertising”, which is a “problematic business model”. Now we won’t even start on the claims of “authenticity”, the “detailed research” and the other equally inflated terms. That was the MO of EPL Patentwerk oHG, now we look forward to how LGB®Märklin will handle those sticky points.

In the meantime one considers the alternatives - I can hardly wait 'til my KISS engines show up - and chuckles at those who are not even aware of the alternatives.

#25
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
- I can hardly wait 'til my KISS engines show up - and chuckles at those who are not even aware of the alternatives.
We're proud of ya HJ. What took you so long?

The “chuckle” is that it has taken this long for you to put your money where your mouth is. I have had a beautiful Kiss Bernina Zweikraftlok for nearly as long as you have been “into” largescale.

#26

I guess I just don’t understand the necessity of being uber-critical when it comes to “scale”. I “play” with my trains in the outdoors and appreciate a robust train built to weather the elements.
As you so clearly state there are altenatives out there that will stand up to your caliper capers. I just like being able to run my trains in the garden and handle them without breaking off bits and pieces every time!

#27
John Joseph Sauer said:
I guess I just don't understand the necessity of being uber-critical when it comes to "scale". I "play" with my trains in the outdoors and appreciate a robust train built to weather the elements. As you so clearly state there are altenatives out there that will stand up to your caliper capers. I just like being able to run my trains in the garden and handle them without breaking off bits and pieces every time!
It's the "truth in advertising" factor. :)
#28
Jack Barton said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
- I can hardly wait 'til my KISS engines show up - and chuckles at those who are not even aware of the alternatives.
We're proud of ya HJ. What took you so long?

The “chuckle” is that it has taken this long for you to put your money where your mouth is. I have had a beautiful Kiss Bernina Zweikraftlok for nearly as long as you have been “into” largescale.


Sheesh Jack,

And here I thought your reading skills were “not too bad”, evidently …

a) OK, no LS brass engines or cars for me because: I’m not a “Kollektor” and as an operator I’d rather go for two plastic KISS engines in lieu of one brass KISS engine.

b) I only buy what fits the era and the area that I model.

:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#29

JJ wrote: “Product is being delivered to LGB’s NJ warehouse so it’s rather obvious that they’ve come to an agreement”

If any are aware of what product has been delivered then I would be interested, as product availability has not manifested itself on dealers’ stock with the major online discounters. Dwindling overstock supplies of items that have been available for sometime, does not equate to ‘new’ stock. Product availability is exactly that - available (not sitting in a wharehouse). I am not thinking ‘new items’, simply replacement stock for items that were in production.

#30
Tim Brien said:
JJ wrote: "Product is being delivered to LGB's NJ warehouse so it's rather obvious that they've come to an agreement"

If any are aware of what product has been delivered then I would be interested, as product availability has not manifested itself on dealers’ stock with the major online discounters. Dwindling overstock supplies of items that have been available for sometime, does not equate to ‘new’ stock. Product availability is exactly that - available (not sitting in a wharehouse). I am not thinking ‘new items’, simply replacement stock for items that were in production.


Tim,

The items arriving in the LGB of America warehouse are obviously products that were in the Nurnberg warehouse before the bankruptcy. It’s a pretty safe bet that Märklin will be busy reorganizing production (shipping machinery and tololing to thier overseas production facilities) so it will most likely be halfway through 2008 before anything is actually produced (other than track). That includes everyday items as well as “new” products. Wouldn’t surprise me to see the Nurnberg factory close by mid year. My local dealer told me that the “new” items that were suppossed to be produced in 2007 are now the “new” items for 2008.
My dealer told me that they are doing track production in Germany for a short period and then it will be relocated.
Most folks don’t realize that many of the components that went into LGB trains such as motors, light bulbs, switch motors, etc… were not produced by LGB so Märklin has to re-establish contracts with those vendors as well. It’s not as simple as everyone seems to think. So much for “German” made trains!

#31

A dealer in Ill just posted on his web site 'Marklin/LGB just arrived ’ and prices , I also asked about something that I needed , he now has it on order for me , 10 day delivery to me .

http://pizzatrains.com/

I have delt with Jim Kirk for a long time , and the pizza is good there .

#32
Tim Brien said:
JJ wrote: "Product is being delivered to LGB's NJ warehouse so it's rather obvious that they've come to an agreement"

If any are aware of what product has been delivered then I would be interested, as product availability has not manifested itself on dealers’ stock with the major online discounters. Dwindling overstock supplies of items that have been available for sometime, does not equate to ‘new’ stock. Product availability is exactly that - available (not sitting in a wharehouse). I am not thinking ‘new items’, simply replacement stock for items that were in production.


Tim,

Just keep checking your favourite supplier. :wink: :slight_smile: That’s what I’ve been doing and so far I haven’t heard the “out of stock” yet on any of the LGB items, but I’ve been told “That’s the last one” a few times.

BTW there’s good reason why the track production is at the top of the “to do” list for LGB®Märklin
a) Piko
b) Train Line 45 www.train-line45.de

Both running full page ads in the GARTENBAHNprofi 6/2007 for their new products, add to that the prominent ads of ST-Gleis and Thiel. Alternatives!

#33
Dennis Paulson said:
A dealer in Ill just posted on his web site 'Marklin/LGB just arrived ' and prices , I also asked about something that I needed , he now has it on order for me , 10 day delivery to me .

http://pizzatrains.com/

I have delt with Jim Kirk for a long time , and the pizza is good there .


Hey Dennis,

Does he use LGB wheelsets to slice the pizza??? :lol: Just couldn’t resist, in German some people refer to the LGB wheel profile as “Pizza-Schneider” (pizza slicer). :smiley:

#34

Well in a sense. They have shipped some stuff to dealers. I just left my local dealer who had quite a bit of new LGB stuff, finally! It just so happens that a good friend of mine just wiped him out of track, he dropped like 2k on track and switches etc.! I got out alive with a box of 4 footers It appears it has went up approximately 30% or so. Nothing like Aristo pricing! So contact your local dealer if interested. Sure beats the Evilbay rapists that have been cleaning up lately.

#35

Hj they do work as cutters , on leaves . The trees here are trying to completely cover my layout in leaves , yes , every year , just seems faster this year .
Anyway , the LGB locos actually do operate better on the leaves on the track , cutting thru them , and the stems , and some of these are BIG leaves . I remove all the leaves , but so many are falling with the wind also , it just keeps getting on the track , and cat wire . But I still run everyday , to maintain service .
And running everyday , useing the overhead wire , keeps everything working fine .
Oh yes , the RhB Krok I got at Watts , works great and looks good , I have had to turn the sound down a LOT , they are loud , but nice !

#36
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Does he use LGB wheelsets to slice the pizza???? :lol: Just couldn't resist, in German some people refer to the LGB wheel profile as "Pizza-Schneider" (pizza slicer). :D
Aren't those German phrases cute? But you would think that slick operators would have been the first to notice that Lehmann went to a round rim profile ten to fifteen years ago.
#37
Jack Barton said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Does he use LGB wheelsets to slice the pizza???? :lol: Just couldn't resist, in German some people refer to the LGB wheel profile as "Pizza-Schneider" (pizza slicer). :D
Aren't those German phrases cute? But you would think that slick operators would have been the first to notice that Lehmann went to a round rim profile ten to fifteen years ago.
Yes ..... some of those German phrases are rather straight to the point, but that doesn't mean that everyone gets the point. :) :D :lol:

BTW the “Pizza Schneider” is as established as the “G - wie Gummi” phrase; very descriptive, no explanation required. :wink: :smiley: :wink:

“So it goes” Kurt Vonnegut

#38
Dennis Paulson said:
A dealer in Ill just posted on his web site 'Marklin/LGB just arrived ' and prices , I also asked about something that I needed , he now has it on order for me , 10 day delivery to me .

http://pizzatrains.com/

I have delt with Jim Kirk for a long time , and the pizza is good there .


Dennis,

In my book the following on the Pizza Express site is enlightening

Pizza Express said:
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THE FOLLOWING LIST DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE IN STOCK ITEMS. THE FOLLOWING LIST DOES HOWEVER INDICATE ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WILL REMAIN A PART OF THE MARKLIN\LGB LINE AND ALSO ALL OF THE CURRENT PRICING EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. NO COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED CONCERNING SHIPPING DATES FOR NEW ITEMS AND ITEMS THAT WILL REMAIN A PART OF THE LINE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE DURING THIS TRANSITION.


Contrast that with the lists that show up in Germany and you go “Hmmmmmm???”

#39

Well I admit to printing out and scrutinising the German Dealer’s list and wondering about the stuff that wasn’t in the list at all. It did not cover starter sets 7xxxx and so on… elves, peanuts, snoopy, coke… . Also the variety of NA locomotives and rolling stock compared to european locomotives and rolling stock. I don’t think the list is comprehensive - nor that of Pizza Trains. At the end of the day, until LGB/Marklin issues a catalogue, we are just guessing. Most of the product gets produced in batches and very little I imagine is under constant production. The key question is how long does it take to realise cash sales 100% from a batch run. My view is that cash flow will be paramount and therefore stuff will be prioritised according to how quickly it will sell. Let us wait for a product price list for 2008 and a new item production schedule for 2008 . As HJ says they have to come up with a complete plan for the Nurnberg Toy Show in early 2008 .
Les

#40

I wonder how much of it is actually just NOS (new old stock) items left over from the EPL days?

Like Les says, it remains to be seen what actually makes it into the new production runs under Marklin. An actual official catalog would be nice. We likely will not see one till after the New Year at the earliest.